A modular approach for co-simulations of integrated multi-energy systems: Coupling multi-energy grids in existing environments of grid planning & operation tools

Renewable energy sources are already the profound deliverers of electrical energy in Germany, while the problem to manage the gap between volatile prosumers and mostly user-dependent consumers are still not solved. One approach to overcome this challenge is the use of the given infrastructure of gas and district heating systems acting as buffer. However, not talking about simulating integrated multi-energy systems, especially the embedment of these in already existing systems is going to be a massive challenge in the future. In this paper, we introduce a way how systems widely used in different energy sectors can be combined and managed together. The approach follows a modular concept easily connecting well-known systems with new algorithms and model extensions. This shall be exemplified shown by creating an integrated multi-energy system consisting of an electrical and gas grid both modelled in PSS®Sincal distributed by SIEMENS.