Synthetic Grid Generator: Synthesizing Large-Scale Power Distribution Grids using Open Street Map

TL;DR

The paper tackles the challenge of scarce access to real distribution-grid data by introducing Syngrids, synthetic grids generated from Open Street Map data through the open-source Synthetic Grid Generator (SGG). The method builds geographically grounded LV and MV grids with scalable node counts, assigns time-series loads and PV penetration, and ensures electrical convergence for power-flow and short-circuit analyses. It validates the realism of Syngrids by comparing topological metrics to a real Swiss grid and by performing electrical analyses that converge and yield comparable voltage profiles and line loadings. The approach, coupled with an open web platform, enables researchers and industry stakeholders to generate and study large-scale grids without real data, with potential impact on grid planning, testing, and resilience analyses.

Abstract

Nowadays, various stakeholders involved in the analysis of electric power distribution grids face difficulties in the data acquisition related to the grid topology and parameters of grid assets. To mitigate the problem and possibly accelerate the accomplishment of grid studies without access to real data, we propose a novel approach for generating synthetic distribution grids (Syngrids) of (almost) arbitrary size replicating the characteristics of real medium- and low-voltage distribution networks. The method enables large-scale testing without incurring the burden of retrieving and pre-processing real-world data. The proposed algorithm exploits the publicly available information of Open Street Map (OSM). By leveraging geospatial data of real buildings and road networks, the approach allows to construct a Syngrid of chosen size with realistic topology and electrical parameters. It is shown that typical power-flow and short-circuit calculations can be performed on Syngrids ensuring convergence. Within the context of validating the effectiveness of the algorithm and the meaningful similarity of the output to real grids, the topological and electrical characteristics of a Syngrid are compared to their real-world counterparts. Finally, an open-source web platform named as Synthetic Grid Generator (SGG) and based on the proposed algorithm can be used by various stakeholders for the creation of synthetic grids.

Figures (8)

• Figure 1: Flowchart of the algorithm.
• Figure 2: A geographical map where a polygon is drawn to make the Syngrid.
• Figure 3: Visualization of two hexagonal polytopes, where a LV grid is spanned in each of them.
• Figure 4: Depiction of predefined polygon transformed into hexagonal polytopes to facilitate the formation of the LV grid within each polytope.
• Figure 5: Translation of road network to prevent any overlapping and improve grid visualization.