Synthetic Electrical Network Models for San Francisco, Greensboro, and Austin

Synthetic Models for Advanced, Realistic Testing: Distribution systems and Scenarios (SMART-DS) provides realistic large-scale U.S. electrical distribution models for three metropolitan areas: San Francisco (SFO), Greensboro (GSO), and Austin (AUS). The dataset contains detailed network models and connected time-series loads, validated against thousands of utility feeders for operational similarity. It is intended for powerflow simulations under various scenarios.

Use Cases

• Run powerflow simulations on the detailed electrical distribution network models to analyze voltages and overloads at peak loading times.
• Analyze time-series loads from the profiles folder, using real and reactive power data at 15-minute resolution for grid algorithm testing.
• Study daily breakdowns of loads for commercial building categories using the provided .png files to understand building end-uses.
• Validate grid modernization algorithms by simulating smaller network sections using the partitioned OpenDSS data for specific feeders or substations.

Strengths

• Models are validated against thousands of utility feeders to ensure statistical and operational similarity to real U.S. distribution networks.
• Data is partitioned by region, substation, and feeder, allowing users to simulate smaller, manageable sections of the full network.
• Includes time-series data with real and reactive power profiles at a 15-minute resolution for detailed temporal analysis.

Limitations

• The dataset is synthetic, not derived from actual utility operational data, which may limit direct real-world application without further validation.
• Specific quantitative details like row counts, column counts, and total file size are not provided in the input description.
• Data accessibility may be complex due to nested folder structures and multiple file formats (HTML, CSV, .png, parquet).

Provenance

Source

Department of Energy.

Collection Method

Synthetic models created and validated for statistical and operational similarity to U.S. electrical distribution networks.

Freshness

Last updated on 2024-01-03.

Geography

Greater San Francisco (SFO), Greensboro (GSO), and Austin (AUS) areas in the United States.