The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Modern Grid Initiative (MGI) has licensed Advanced Control Systems Inc.'s (ACS; Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.; www.acsatlanta.com) distribution system simulator, called XpertSim, for use in MGI's technology test and validation program.

NETL conducted the MGI project for the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. ACS participates in MGI along with a range of utility company delegates, technology providers, researchers and government officials.

The goal of MGI is to advance a shared national smart grid vision for a fully modernized power system. MGI is delivering on this by bringing together key participants to create a framework that gains the consensus of all stakeholders — science, industry, commerce, consumers and environmentalists — through an open, accountable process.

MGI is deploying the ACS simulator to model, test and validate new smart grid, renewable, and distributed energy technologies in order to evaluate their effect on distribution system performance. The benefits and operational characteristics of these technologies will be evaluated in real time using a transient simulation of an actual distribution feeder network.

“Smart grid momentum is accelerating across the utility industry following GridWeek in Washington, D.C.,” said David Moore, ACS president. “ACS is committed to working closely with its customers and all industry stakeholders to advance open, interoperable and cost-effective smart grid technologies.” According to Moore, ACS is a consistent and ardent supporter of open integration standards and technology interoperability programs.

GridWeek 2007, which took place April 23-26, provides the opportunity for organizations focused on grid modernization to hold meetings and participate in collaborative sessions that include leading speakers on smart grid and grid modernization.