Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners: Setting Up OpenEMS Simulation Configuration – Is This Correct?

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.