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OpenDSS

OpenDSS is an electric power distribution system simulator (DSS) designed to support distributed energy resource (DER) grid integration and grid modernization. This node-type runs OpenDSS within VILLASnode and enables VILLASnode to exchange data with OpenDSS.

Prerequisites​

This node-type requires OpenDSS shared library. The documentation for compiling the library can be found in the OpenDSS documentation. Alternatively, the script found at packaging/deps.sh can be used. Please refer to the installation document.

Implementation​

The Implementation of this node type is limited to only sending the data to set the values of certain element including:

  • Load: Voltage(kV), Active Power(kW), Apparent Power(kVA), Power Factor(Pf)
  • Generator: Voltage(kV), Active Power(kW), Apparent Power(kVA), Power Factor(Pf)
  • ISource: Current(Amps), Phase angle(AngleDeg), Frequency(f)

For the output, VILLASnode will read the data from a monitor element for each time step. The input and output data needed to be transported by path from/to other nodes.

The source code of the node-type is available here: https://github.com/VILLASframework/node/blob/master/lib/nodes/opendss.cpp

Configuration​

For input data the name, element type and type of data are needed to be provived. However, for output data only the name of the monitor element is needed.

file_path
string

Specifies the URI to a OpenDSS file.

object (Input configuration (received by VILLASnode))
object (Output configuration (sent out by VILLASnode))

Name of the monitor to be read.

vectorize
integer
Default: 1

This setting allows to send multiple samples in a single message to the destination nodes.

The value of this setting determines how many samples will be combined into one packet.

Array of Hook Object (object) or Hook Name (string) (hook_list)
builtin
boolean (Builtin hook functions)
Default: true

By default, each node and paths has a couple of default hooks attached to them. With this setting the attachment of built-in hooks can be disabled.

{
  • "file_path": "string",
  • "in": {
    },
  • "out": {
    },
  • "vectorize": 1,
  • "hooks": [
    ],
  • "builtin": true
}

Example​

node/etc/examples/nodes/opendss.conf
nodes = {
    opendss_node = {
        type = "opendss"

        # Path to OpenDSS file
        file_path = "OpenDSS_file/sample.DSS"

        # Example input configuration. Input data will be used to set Active power and power factor
        # of load element name load1 and Active power of the generator element name gen1.
        # Element name are deleared in OpenDSS file.
        # Available input type and data:
        #   - load:         kV, kW, kVA, Pf
        #   - generator:    kV, kW, kVA, Pf
        #   - isource:      Amps, AngleDeg, f
        in = {
            list = (
                {name = "load1", type = "load", data = ("kW", "Pf")},
                {name = "gen1", type = "generator", data = ("kW")}
            )
        }

        # Example output configuration. Output data will be read from monitor name load1_power and load1_v.
        # Monitor name are declared in OpenDSS file.
        out = {
            list = ["load1_power", "load1_v"]
        }
    }

    udp_node = {
        type = "socket"

        layer = "udp"

        format = "villas.human"

        in = {
            address = "*:12000"
        }
        out = {
            address = "127.0.0.1:12001"
        }
    }

    file_node1 = {
        type = "file"

        uri = "load.dat"

        in = {
            epoch_mode = "direct"
            epoch = 10
            rate = 2
            buffer_size = 0
        }
    }
}

paths = (
    {
        # Get input for file node type
        in = "file_node1"
        out = "opendss_node"
        hooks = ( { type = "print" } )
    },
    {
        # Output to udp node type
        in = "opendss_node"
        out = "udp_node"
        hooks = ( { type = "print" } )
    }
)