Simulation Support for Explainable Cyber-Physical Energy Systems

Smart energy grids are evolving from static infrastructures to dynamic systems where Distributed Energy Resources (PV, eCars) are joining or leaving the system randomly. Cyber-Physical (Energy) Systems (CP(E)S) are therefore increasingly complex and dynamic, with several stakeholders (end users, system operators) requiring explanations of the system status/behaviour. The development of solutions for explainable CP(E)S algorithms is however challenging because the deployment and testing in vivo of these solutions is restricted, if not impossible, in terms of the risks of modifying a critical infrastructure. In this paper, we present a semantics based solution to explainable CP(E)S and show how its development is supported by being able to test it in in vitro settings enabled by the BIFROST simulation engine. We validate the proposed solution in a simulated e-mobility use case.