Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners: Setting Up OpenEMS Simulation Configuration

[LeoXu]

# **OpenEMS Simulation Configuration Steps**

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up and debugging OpenEMS simulations.

---

## **Step 1: Simulator App**
- **Action**:
  - Check `enable`.
  - Click `save`.
- **Notes**:
  - This will clear all existing configurations. Ensure no critical data is lost before proceeding.
  - After clearing, all essential settings must be reconfigured in sequence.

---

## **Step 2: Scheduler (All Alphabetically)**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: scheduler0`
  - Check `enable`.
  - Click `save`.
- **Functionality**:
  - Automatically starts the following core components in alphabetical order:
    - `core`
    - `ess power`
    - `evcs power`
    - `Controller Api Websocket`
    - `log`
  - **No additional configuration required** to ensure basic system functionality.

---

## **Step 3: Controller Debug Log**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: ctrlDebugLog0`
  - Check `enable` and `Condensed output`.
- **Functionality**:
  - Enables debugging mode with condensed logs for troubleshooting and system analysis.

---

## **Step 4: Simulator DataSource (CSV Predefined)**
Configure three data sources to simulate load, PV generation, and ESS data.

1. **Load Meter Data Source**:
  - `ComponentID: datasource0`
  - Configuration:
    - Check `enable`.
    - `Factor: 10000`
    - `Time-Delta: -1`
    - `Source: h0-summer-weekday-standard-load-profile.csv`

2. **PV Meter Data Source**:
  - `ComponentID: datasource1`
  - Configuration:
    - Check `enable`.
    - `Factor: 10000`
    - `Time-Delta: -1`
    - `Source: h0-summer-weekday-pv-production.csv` or `production2`.

3. **ESS Data Source**:
  - `ComponentID: datasource2`
  - Configuration:
    - Check `enable`.
    - `Factor: 10000`
    - `Time-Delta: -1`
    - `Source: h0-summer-weekday-pv-production2.csv`.

---

## **Step 5: Simulator GridMeter Acting**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: gridmeter0`
  - Check `enable`.
- **Functionality**:
  - Simulates grid monitoring, providing data on grid power, state, and flow direction.

---

## **Step 6: Simulator EssSinglePhase Reacting**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: ess0`
  - `Phase: L1` (single-phase setup; use L2 for two-way or L3 for three-phase setups).
  - `Datasource-ID: datasource2`
  - `Max Apparent Power [VA]: 10000`
  - `Capacity [Wh]: 10000`
  - `Initial State of Charge [%]: 30`
  - `Grid mode: On_Grid` (enables grid interaction).
- **Functionality**:
  - Activates a single-phase ESS to simulate power response.

---

## **Step 7: Controller Ess Balancing**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: ctrlBalancing0`
  - Configuration:
    - `Energy System ID: ess0` (matches Step 6).
    - `Grid Meter ID: gridmeter0` (matches Step 5).
    - `Target Grid Setpoint: 10`.
- **Functionality**:
  - Controls ESS and grid meter to maintain balanced power flow.

---

## **Step 8: Controller Api Websocket**
- **Check**:
  - Ensure WebSocket is enabled.
- **Functionality**:
  - Facilitates communication between OpenEMS and the UI.
  - The UI will not display system status if WebSocket is disabled.

---

## **Step 9: Simulator Battery**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: bms0`
  - Check `enable`.
  - Configure parameters:
    - `Number of slaves: 1`
    - `Discharge min voltage: 44`
    - `Charge max voltage: 56`
    - `Discharge max current: 50`
    - `Charge max current: 50`
    - `SOC: 75`
    - `SOH: 95`
    - `Temperature: 30`
    - `Capacity KWh: 50`
    - `Voltage: 5`
    - `Min cell voltage mv: 3300`.
- **Functionality**:
  - Activates the battery simulator with customizable parameters.

---

## **Step 10: Simulator NRCMeter Acting**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: meter0`
  - Check `enable`.
  - Configuration:
    - `Datasource-ID: datasource0`.
- **Functionality**:
  - Activates load meter simulation, linked to `datasource0`.

---

## **Step 11: Simulator Production Meter Acting**
- **Settings**:
  - `ComponentID: meter1`
  - Check `enable`.
  - Configuration:
    - `Datasource-ID: datasource1`.
- **Functionality**:
  - Activates PV meter simulation, linked to `datasource1`.

---

## **Additional Recommendations**
1. **Step-by-Step Validation**:
  - Save after adding or modifying each component.
  - Use the OpenEMS WebSocket interface to verify component statuses incrementally.

2. **Log Monitoring**:
  - Enable debug logs (Step 3) for detailed analysis of system interactions.

3. **Simulation Flexibility**:
  - Adjust parameters like battery capacity, power limits, and load curves to better simulate real scenarios.

4. **Advanced Features**:
  - Use custom data sources or scripts for extended simulation, e.g.:
    - EV charging load simulations.
    - Fault condition testing (e.g., disconnections, overload).

By completing the above steps, the simulation system will be ready for testing and validation of complex scenarios.