GreenCharge Project Deliverable: D5.3 Simulation and Visualisation Tools (revised version)

This document focuses on the description of the tools developed starting from the prototypes initially provided in deliverable D5.2. Initial requirements, design and prototypes have been updated and extended, and use cases have been reported to support users in approaching the developed tools. In particular the deliverable starts with highlighting the role of simulation in the GreenCharge framework, and the importance of providing instruments to calculate and graphically visualize KPIs, in relation to evaluation activities carried out within the GreenCharge project. These tools acquire even more importance if we consider the possibility to simulate scenarios involving larger and more diverse energy smart neighbourhoods than realized in the pilots, based partly on data collected by the pilots and partly on data collected in other contexts. Models used to analytically represent different appliances, including energy consuming, producing and storing devices, are provided in this deliverable, explaining how they are used to configure and customize the simulation facility. The overall architecture of the GreenCharge Simulator is provided, together with a description of its components. Particular emphasis is put on optimisers' interfaces and approaches. Interaction between the GreenCharge Simulator and the GreenCharge Energy Management Systems (EMS) is provided through an interaction protocol, completely described in terms of exchanged messages together with usage examples. The deliverable presents the Simulation and KPI Calculator and Visualization tools by focusing on both the offered functionalities and provided GUIs. Graphical Interfaces are indeed a relevant part of the software description, as they provide a facilitated point of access for users and are thus described in details to provide a quick reference user guide. However, pointers to online guides are also provided, so that users have a complete reference manual at their disposal. The document explains how the simulation tool can be deployed, configured, and customized, by following a use case scenario already presented in D5.2. Since the current Deliverable is focused on the development of the Simulation Tool, of the KPI Calculation and Visualization tools, and of the Optimisers, no further details are provided regarding simulated tasks and models, unless necessary to describe the design of the aforementioned tools and their components