Microgrid model based automated real time simulation for market based electric power system optimization

A system for optimizing operation of an electric power system, comprising:

• a data acquisition component configured to acquire real-time output data from sensors interfaced with components of the electric power system;
• an analytics server communicatively connected to the data acquisition component, comprising:
• a virtual system modeling engine configured to generate simulated output data for the electric power system utilizing a first virtual system model of the electric power system;
• an analytics engine configured to initiating a calibration and synchronization operation, and update the first virtual system model based on a difference between the real-time output data and the simulated output data;
• and
• a network optimization simulation engine configured to receive a multiplicity of modified operational variables related to distributed energy sources and mixes of energy sources in the first virtual system model, create a multiplicity of modified virtual system models based on the multiplicity of modified operational variables, generate predicted data based on the multiplicity of modified virtual system models, compare the predicted data to the real-time output data of the first virtual system model, and identify an optimal scenario regarding operational costs, reliability and availability of the distributed energy sources and the mixes of energy sources based on the comparison,
• wherein the network optimization simulation engine changes a mix of energy obtained from a microgrid energy source and a macrogrid energy source to identify the optimal scenario.

A method for optimizing operation of an electric power system, comprising:

• providing a data acquisition component communicatively connected to an analytics server, wherein the analytics server comprises a virtual system modeling engine, an analytics engine, and a network optimization simulation engine;
• the data acquisition component acquiring real-time output data from sensors interfaced with components of the electric power system;
• the virtual system modeling engine generating simulated output data for the electric power system utilizing a first virtual system model of the electric power system;
• the analytics engine monitoring the real-time output data and the simulated output data of the electric power system;
• the analytics engine initiating a calibration and synchronization operation to update the first virtual system model when a difference between the real-time output data and the simulated output data exceeds a threshold;
• and
• the network optimization simulation engine receiving a multiplicity of modified operational variables related to distributed energy sources and mixes of energy sources in the updated first virtual system model;
• the network optimization simulation engine creating a multiplicity of modified virtual system models based on the multiplicity of modified operational variables;
• the network optimization simulation engine generating predicated data based on the multiplicity of modified virtual system models;
• the network optimization simulation identifying an optimal operating configuration regarding operational costs, reliability and availability of the distributed energy sources and the mixes of energy sources based on the predicted data;
• and
• the network optimization simulation engine changing a mix of energy obtained from a microgrid energy source and a macrogrid energy source to identify the optimal operating configuration.