Device Types¶
The DER Simulator can emulate a range of grid-edge distributed energy resources. Each device type carries its own physics model, its own SunSpec / IEEE 2030.5 / OCPP exposure, and its own operator surface — the per-device chapters below cover what the type represents and how to drive it.
| Device | When to pick | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| PV Inverter | Photovoltaic test bench — single, split, or three-phase | PV Inverters |
| Battery Storage | BESS testing with full bank → string → module → cell hierarchy | Battery Storage |
| Wind Turbine | NREL 5 MW DFIG (Type III) or IEA 15 MW direct-drive PMSG (Type IV) | Wind Turbines |
| Fuel Cell | PEMFC or SOFC, generation-only or reversible (PEM/SOEC) | Fuel Cells |
| DC-Coupled Hybrid | PV + battery sharing one inverter on a common DC bus | Hybrid DC (PV + Battery) |
| EVSE (EV Charging) | AC / DC / V2G charge stations driven over OCPP | EVSE (EV Charging) |
Quick-start by use case¶
A few common scenarios and the matching device chapter:
| Scenario | Pick |
|---|---|
| Validate IEEE 1547 / UL 1741 SB grid-support modes on a stock PV inverter | PV Inverters |
| Run multi-string battery tests with realistic cell-level telemetry | Battery Storage |
| Sweep a wind turbine power curve at a pinned hub speed | Wind Turbines |
| Test a CSMS against a multi-port DC fast-charger | EVSE (EV Charging) |
| Exercise dispatch policies on a DC-coupled PV + battery site | Hybrid DC (PV + Battery) |
| Test V2G round-trips with a bidirectional inverter | EVSE (EV Charging) |
Cross-cutting features¶
All device types share:
- A SunSpec Modbus server exposing the DER's nameplate, settings, measurements, and grid-support curves — see SunSpec Modbus Server.
- An IEEE 2030.5 / CSIP client that mirrors state to a 2030.5 server and applies inbound DERControls — see IEEE 2030.5 Client.
- A REST + WebSocket interface for scripting and dashboard use — see REST + WebSocket API.
- Volt-Var, Volt-Watt, Watt-Var, fixed PF, and frequency-droop grid-support modes — see the Power Simulation chapters for each mode's curve definition.
EVSE devices additionally expose an OCPP charge-point connection to a CSMS — see OCPP Charge Point.
Multi-device runs¶
Pass -N COUNT to spawn multiple simulators on adjacent port
assignments — useful for load-testing an aggregator or running
a small microgrid in one process:
./sim --device_type PV-3Phase -N 4
The Modbus, dashboard, and CSIP ports increment by 1 per device. Each device gets its own SunSpec address space and its own CSIP LFDI; a single aggregator can poll all four as if they were on different hosts.