GridLAB-D Wiki:GridLAB-D Tutorial Chapter 0 - Introduction

Introduction
GridLAB-D is a power system simulation tool that provides valuable information to users who design and operate electric power transmission and distribution systems, and to utilities that wish to take advantage of the latest smart grid technology. It incorporates advanced modeling techniques with high-performance algorithms to deliver the latest in end-use load modeling technology integrated with three-phase unbalanced power flow, and retail market systems. Historically, the inability to effectively model and evaluate smart grid technologies has been a barrier to adoption; GridLAB-D is designed to address this problem.

This guide to using GridLAB-D is intended to help those who are at least slightly familiar with distribution systems to establish a foundation that will allow them to use GridLAB-D in their work. It is not intended to be comprehensive as GridLAB-D contains many models with many parameters, but rather to address some of the more important and popular features. The guide will not only address practical issues such as how certain models function but also more general topics exploring the architecture of GridLAB-D.

This guide contains and references many example GridLAB-D models and files. Readers are recommended to pull a local copy of the folder at https://github.com/gridlab-d/course/tree/master/Tutorial so these files are readily available during the tutorial.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Installing GridLAB-D
 * Using the Installer
 * Building from Source
 * Installation Validation
 * Getiting Help with GridLAB-D

Chapter 2 - GridLAB-D Key Attributes
 * Open Source
 * Command-Line
 * Object-Based
 * Multi-Domain Models
 * Discrete Time

Chapter 3 - Basic Distribution System Modeling
 * A Brief Power System Introduction
 * Model Overview - Distribution System Basics
 * Nodes and Meters
 * Lines
 * Recorders
 * Supporting Obejcts and Their Relationships
 * Results from Simulation
 * Distribution System Alternative Form

Chapter 4 - Data Input and Output
 * Introduction to Recorders and Players
 * Time in GridLAB-D
 * Recorders
 * Example - Recorders
 * Alternative Data Output - XML
 * Players
 * Example - Players
 * Schedules
 * Example - Scheduling Values Directly
 * Schedules as Modifiers

Chapter 5 - Loads
 * ZIP Loads
 * Example - ZIP Loads
 * Loads and Weather
 * Weather Basics
 * How does the wind influence solar panels? - A slightly off-topic exercise in digging through GridLAB-D source code
 * TMY Datasets
 * Residential Loads
 * Example - Triplex Components and Residential Basics
 * Example - Thermostat Settings
 * Example - Location
 * Example - Adding Other Residential Loads

Chapter 6 - Distributed Generation
 * Solar PV
 * Inverters
 * Example - Basic Solar PV Installation
 * Example - Large Solar PV Installation and Impact on Feeder
 * Battery Energy Storage
 * Example - Load-Following for a Single Residence
 * Example - Solar PV and Battery Combination

Chapter 7 - Advanced Distribution Models
 * Voltage Regulators
 * Example - Voltage Regulators with Line-Drop Compensators
 * Example - Voltage Regulators with Voltage Sensing
 * Capacitors
 * Example - Voltage-based capacitor switching

Chapter 8 - Built-In Distribution Models
 * Taxonomy Feeders
 * Other Sample Models
 * PGE Models
 * Auto-test Models
 * Training Course Models

Chapter 9 - Interfacing with External Software
 * MATLAB Interface
 * FNCS