Towards an AI-friendly cross-timescale simulation and analysis platform for electric distribution systems

Substantial changes are occurring in electric distribution systems due to ambitious targets towards carbon-neutrality in many regions around the world. One of the key challenges is how to analyze the interactions of massive amount of energy end-users with the electric distribution grid operator. In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive simulation platform, Al4Dist, that is capable to perform a wide collection of distribution system studies that capture multiple timescales ranging from market planning to transient event analysis. Al4Dist is designed to effortlessly integrate with off-the-shelf machine learning packages and algorithm implementations. We envision that Al4Dist will serve as a platform to empower researchers with different expertise to contribute to the development of low carbon electricity sector.