Welcome to DERSec DER Simulator Documentation

Background

The DERSec DER Simulator is a powerful tool for emulating interoperable Distributed Energy Resource (DER) devices. It provides a comprehensive environment for simulating real-time DER interoperability operation and electrical behavior scenarios, enabling users to load test head-end systems, and validate compliance with industry standards and protocols.

The simulator is also demonstrates steady-state IEEE 1547-2018 compliance and can show required behaviors associated with IEEE 1547.1-2020 and UL 1741 SB test conditions.

Supported Device Types

The simulator can be configured to emulate a variety of DER devices, including:

  • Single-Phase PV inverter
  • Split-Phase PV inverter
  • Three-Phase PV inverter
  • Single-Phase Energy Storage System (ESS)
  • Split-Phase Energy Storage System (ESS)
  • Three-Phase Energy Storage System (ESS)

Interoperability Capabilities

The simulator currently implements a SunSpec Modbus server and an IEEE 2030.5 client. The SunSpec implementation can be modified by pointing to a SunSpec Dashboard or DERSec LabTest JSON file, representing the device interface.

The simulator updates AC and DC measurement values in real-time, provides nameplate information, and respects the SunSpec 700-series models and associated grid-support functions defined in IEEE 1547-2018.

Electrical Capabilities

The simulator can be configured to operate in a variety of modes, including:

  • Settings Adjustments: The simulator can be configured to adjust settings such as maximum power, reactive power, apparent power; power factor ranges, nominal voltage, etc.
  • WSet and WMaxLimPct: The simulator can be configured to adjust the WSet and WMaxLimPct settings
  • Reactive Power Control: The simulator can be configured to adjust the reactive power target
  • Power Factor Control: The simulator can be configured to adjust the power factor target
  • Volt-Var Control: The simulator can be configured to adjust the volt-var curves, including modes with VRefAuto
  • Volt-Watt Control: The simulator can be configured to adjust the volt-watt curves
  • Frequency-Droop Control: The simulator can be configured to adjust the frequency droop settings
  • Watt-Var Control: The simulator can be configured to adjust the watt-var curves