Smart grid modeling and simulation - Comparing GridLAB-D and RAPSim via two Case studies
For researchers and engineers selecting simulation tools, this work highlights that simulator-specific properties can prevent result reproducibility, but the findings are incremental as they confirm known challenges in tool comparison.
This paper compares two open-source smart grid simulators, GridLAB-D and RAPSim, using two case studies on power flow and renewable integration. Results show that even simple scenarios yield irreproducible outcomes due to differences in weather simulation and load modeling.
One of the most important tools for the development of the smart grid is simulation. Therefore, analyzing, designing, modeling, and simulating the smart grid will allow to explore future scenarios and support decision making for the grid's development. In this paper, we compare two open source simulation tools for the smart grid, GridLAB-Distribution (GridLAB-D) and Renewable Alternative Power systems Simulation (RAPSim). The comparison is based on the implementation of two case studies related to a power flow problem and the integration of renewable energy resources to the grid. Results show that even for very simple case studies, specific properties such as weather simulation or load modeling are influencing the results in a way that they are not reproducible with a different simulator.