ns-3 Web-Based User Interface: Power Grid Communications Planning and Modeling Tool

All utilities have invested in some level of engineering tools and qualified staff required to modernize the power grid. These engineering tools vary in their level of complexity and fidelity. Most of the existing tools are either application specific or have not been designed to work together to assist in assembling comprehensive first order smart grid build-out cost estimations and planning, especially with regard to communications. There is a need for software to assist utility owners, operators, engineers, and consultants with smart grid communications planning and engineering. The development of a web-based Power Grid Communications Planning and Modeling Tool using ns-3 is in process that will address these needs. This tool models use cases for power grid communications, abstracting away the details of programming in ns-3. The tool will be made open source at the completion of the initial version.