Rapid technological changes in energy use, data, and generation have prompted the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to establish the Advanced Grid Innovation Laboratory for Energy (AGILe). This state-of-the-art power systems laboratory aims to enable an affordable, reliable, and low-carbon future power grid by providing a close-to-real testing environment that facilitates the identification and resolution of grid-related challenges. Explore this webpage for detailed information about our services, capabilities, projects, team members, and more.
Advanced T&D Applications:
The lab hosts a comprehensive digital twin of the NY State grid, enabling the analysis and testing of the impacts of distributed energy resources, off-shore wind, electric vehicles, energy storage, grid enhancing technologies (GETs), novel protection schemes, PMU applications, grid forming inverters, and more.
Cyber Security:
The lab's capabilities allow for the study of the impacts and challenges of cyber incidents on the grid, as well as the exploration of innovative mitigation technologies.
Grid Edge Technologies:
The lab offers the capability to test new sensing and computing technologies and develop algorithms to maximize the utility of sensor data
Automation:
Automation is revolutionizing system operation and asset maintenance. The lab's capabilities allow for configuring and testing automated systems such as IEC 61850-based equipment, ADMS, and DERMS, facilitating more reliable deployment.
Economic Analysis:
The lab provides specialized tools to assess the economic impacts of emerging technologies.
NYPA’s Advanced Grid Innovation Lab for Energy is a world-class electric power systems laboratory that offers customers the ability to test novel technologies in real time on a digital copy of the New York State power grid and its ancillary systems.
NYPA’s Advanced Grid Innovation Lab for Energy is a world-class electric power systems laboratory that offers customers the ability to test novel technologies in real time on a digital copy of the New York State power grid and its ancillary systems.
At NYPA, we recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for decisive action. Guided by the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA), we are committed to achieving a carbon-free future for New York State.
Reaching this goal requires innovation at every level, which is why NYPA has launched the Advanced Grid Innovation Laboratory for Energy (AGILe) — a groundbreaking initiative redefining grid modernization.
AGILe is not just a lab; it’s a hub of innovation and discovery. Here, we are creating the first-ever digital twin of the New York State electric grid, a revolutionary tool that will transform how we tackle decarbonization challenges.
This digital twin provides a precise, comprehensive representation of the state’s electric grid. It allows us to analyze future scenarios and test new technologies in a risk-free environment before they are deployed in the field.
Our investment in AGILe highlights NYPA's commitment to driving significant change in the energy sector. By leveraging digital innovation, we are paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable energy future.
Join us in this endeavor, driven by a shared purpose and determination. Together, we will overcome the challenges of decarbonization and build a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Reaching this goal requires innovation at every level, which is why NYPA has launched the Advanced Grid Innovation Laboratory for Energy (AGILe) — a groundbreaking initiative redefining grid modernization.
AGILe is not just a lab; it’s a hub of innovation and discovery. Here, we are creating the first-ever digital twin of the New York State electric grid, a revolutionary tool that will transform how we tackle decarbonization challenges.
This digital twin provides a precise, comprehensive representation of the state’s electric grid. It allows us to analyze future scenarios and test new technologies in a risk-free environment before they are deployed in the field.
Our investment in AGILe highlights NYPA's commitment to driving significant change in the energy sector. By leveraging digital innovation, we are paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable energy future.
Join us in this endeavor, driven by a shared purpose and determination. Together, we will overcome the challenges of decarbonization and build a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Streamlined Collaboration
- Ready-to-use contractual documents for smooth project initiation and collaboration
- Remote IT and/or physical access to the lab facility to utilize its capabilities
- Experienced technical staff available to handle the on-site aspects of the project, allowing the customer to remain remote
- Several cost models including long-term fixed price and hourly pay-per-use options
Capabilities
- Comprehensive NY State grid digital twin, enabling high-resolution simulation of the end-to-end grid
- Hardware-in-the-loop (control and power) and software-in-the-loop testing for digital substation automation and control
- Simulation of communication systems and cyber security events
- Economic analysis and evaluation of technical solutions
Use Cases
Equipment Configuration and Testing:
- Test equipment in realistic field conditions
- Validate the performance of novel technologies
Novel System Protection Schemes:
- Validate protective relaying behavior and settings
- De-risk novel protection schemes
Digital Substation and IEC 61850:
- Create replicas of substation intelligent electronic devices
- Perform closed-loop testing using communication protocols
Distribution Automation and DERMS:
- Simulate the performance of distribution automation system
- Integrate distributed energy resources and storage
Cyber Security:
- Create testbeds used for tabletop exercises
- Evaluate and test intrusion detection and mitigation schemes
Economic Analysis and Evaluation of Technical Solutions:
- Production and cost modeling
- Economic impacts of upcoming technologies
Interested in our projects? Please check out the examples, below:
External Projects
- 1. De-risk Meshed-ready HVDC for Offshore Wind with Real-time EMT Modeling and Studies
- 2. Reliable Protection for Inverter Dominated Systems
- 3. Toolbox for Automated Studies in EMT Domain
- 4. Development of High IBR Penetration New York Power System Models for Operators
- 5. Model Translation for High Performing Smart Grid Applications
- 6. Real-Time Interconnection Studies and Control of New York Offshore Wind
- 7. Stability Impact Analysis of New York Power Grid with Ultra-high Penetration of Inverter-interfaced Energy Resources
- 8. Protective Relaying under High Renewables
- 9. Modular Power Flow Control Tech Study
- 10. Asynchronous Distributed and Adaptive Parameter Tuning (ADAPT) for Hybrid PV Plants
- 11. Photovoltaic Analysis and Response Support (PARS) Platform for Solar Situation Awareness and Resiliency Services
- 12. Federated Architecture for Secure and Transactive Distributed Energy Resource Management Solutions (FAST-DERMS)
- 13. Enable BTM DER-provided Grid Services that Maximize Customer and Grid Benefits (ENGAGE)
- 14. Deep Learning Malware
- 15. Universal Interoperability for grid-Forming Inverters Consortium (UNIFI)
- 16. Integrated Multi-Fidelity Model and Co-Simulation Platform for Distribution System Transient and Dynamic Analysis
- 17. Bayesian, Advanced, Novel, Detailed, and Actionable Intrusion Detection (BANDAID)
- 18. Tracking Real-time Anomalies in Power Systems (TRAPS)
- 19. Interregional Offshore Controls Stability Risk Evaluation & Services
- 20. Concurrent Learning Cyber-Physical Framework for Resilient Electric Power System (CyberPREPS)
- 21. Operation of Vendor-Agnostic MTDC based Offshore Wind Integration
- 22. Platforms for Secure and Resilient Electric Power System Research Testing and Demonstration (P4REST)
- 23. Develop Standard Library Offshore Wind and HVDC Models for Transmission Planning Studies
- 24. Stability-Informed Co-design for Optimal Quantity and Placement of Grid-Forming Inverters in IBR-Dominant Bulk Power Systems
- 25. INSPIRE: INnovations in Securing the Powergrid by Integrated Research and Education
- 26. Enhanced Observability of Power Grids
- 27. Offshore Wind Black-Start Feasibility Framework for System Restoration Planning
- 28. Online Stability Assessment, Flexibility, and Enhancement of IBR-dominated Power Systems
Internal Projects
- 1. Moses-Adirondack Advanced Power Flow Control-Line Protection Study
- 2. NYPA CSC Control System and Development of a CSS Real-Time Digital Simulation Model
- 3. Travelling Wave Protection Demonstration
- 4. Instrument Transformer Monitoring using Synchrophasors
- 5. Dragos Platform Deployment
- 6. SIGA Level-0 Monitoring Technology
- 7. Generator Model Validation using Synchrophasors
- 8. Next Generation Grid Monitoring and Control (NGMC)
- 9. Economic Assessment of DLR Operation in Northern New York Area
- 10. Design of the Power Flow Transformer System
- 11. Smart Path Connect Protection Relay Testing
- 12. Decarbonization Action Plan for 15 State Facilities (DL-15)
- 13. Wide Area Damping Controller
- 14. Synchrophasor Data Quality Conditioning (SSDQ)
- 15. PMU Emulator
- 16. Developing GFM Inverter Models in RTDS and OPAL-RT
- 17. ASPEN Data Preparation for PSSE-to-RTDS Model Conversion
- 18. Conversion Tool: PSSE/Cyme/Power Factory to Native ePHASORSIM model
- 19. Conversion Tool: OpenDSS to Native ePHASORSIM model
- 20. Coordinated Control for Offshore Wind
- 21. ISO/DSO Co-Simulation Platform (IDCSP) for Dynamic DER Management
- 22. Incorporating Dispatch in RTDS
- 23. Regional Plug and Play RTDS Models
- 24. PSSE/ASPEN Data Matching
- 25. Development of a Power Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL) Setup
- 26. Weather Forecasting Platform
- 27. Load Forecasting Platform
- 28. T&D C-Simulation
- 29. NYS Grid Digital Twin
Press Releases
Articles
Technical Magazines
- 1. “New York Power Authority builds a comprehensive digital twin of the New York State power grid to address decarbonization challenges,” Energy Central, March/April 2024
- 2. Transformers Magazine: NYPA’s AGILe lab speeds up smart grid innovation
- 3. Utility Dive: NYPA to create real‑time simulation model of New York's transmission system
- 4. T&D World: NYPA's AGILe Lab Speeds Up Smart Grid Innovation (requires login)
Scientific Journals
- 1. “A real-time cyber-physical simulation testbed for cybersecurity assessment of large-scale power systems,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, In Press
- 2. “A real-time T&D co-simulation platform for testing grid services of distributed energy resources,” IEEE Access, In Press
- 3. “Plug-and-play regional models for real-time electromagnetic transient simulations of large-scale power grids,” IEEE Access, In Press
- 4. “Real-time hybrid controls of energy storage and load shedding for integrated power and energy systems of ships,” Electric Power Systems Research, Volume 229, 2024
- 5. “Synchrophasor network-based detection and classification of power system events,” Electric Power Systems Research, Volume 223, 2023
- 6. “Risk-based preventive energy management for resilient microgrids,” International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, Volume 154, 2023
- 7. “Spatial-Temporal Recurrent Graph Neural Networks for Fault Diagnostics in Power Distribution Systems,” IEEE Access, Volume 11, 2023
- 8. “Real-time transient simulation and studies of offshore wind turbines,” IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy 14.3, 2023
Conference Proceedings
- 1. “Future energy demand projections of cold climate cities transitioning to electrification,” AMS 16th Conference, Jan 2025
- 2. “Graph-based data-matching for improving EMT model data quality,” IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2024 [Best Accepted Paper]
- 3. “Transient Stability with Grid-Forming Inverter-Based Resources,” IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2024
- 4. “Controller hardware-in-the-loop testing for offshore wind plants,” IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2024
- 5. “Centralized voltage controller for offshore wind plants,” IEEE ISGT-LA, Nov 2023
- 6. “Cyber-physical simulation testbed for cybersecurity assessment,” IEEE IAS Annual Meeting, Oct–Nov 2023
- 7. “Transmission line protection under high inverter penetration,” Western Protective Relay Conference, Oct 2023
- 8. “T&D grid services with BTM DERs: NYS grid case study,” IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2023 [Best Accepted Paper]
- 9. “Real-time T&D co-simulation for high DER impact,” IEEE Grid Edge Tech Conference, April 2023
- 10. “Real-time T&D co-simulation,” OPAL-RT RT22 Conference, Oct 2022
- 11. “Real-time EMT-phasor co-simulation modeling,” IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2022
- 12. “Online decision support for system restoration via real-time simulation,” CIGRE Grid of the Future Conference, Oct 2021
- 13. “Wide-area damping controller hardware-in-the-loop testing,” IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2021
- 14. “PSS/E to RSCAD model conversion for large grids,” IEEE PES General Meeting, July 2021
- 15. “Performance of wide-area damping controller,” OPAL-RT RT20 Conference, Oct 2020
AGILe helps guide the way making it easier to rigorously test and protect New York State's electric grid and conduct real time stress tests and simulations. It's safe, cost effective and demonstrates that NYPA is leading the energy industry in digitalization.
Justin Driscoll
President and CEO
AGILe is a premier digital facility that delivers exceptional power system simulation and testing capabilities. Operated by power system experts, AGILe stands at the forefront of innovation. This state-of-the-art facility was developed to accelerate the transformation of the electric grid in partnership with our customers and the energy ecosystem. AGILe supports NYPA’s commitment to a thriving, resilient New York State powered by clean energy!
Daniella Piper
EVP and Chief Innovation Officer
Partnerships across the energy industry are one of the AGILe's biggest benefits. Working with utilities, the New York Independent System Operator, NYSERDA, NYS Department of Public Service and many others brings together new ways of thinking and new digital solutions, in a close-to-real environment, in ways that were not possible just a few years ago.
Ali Mohammed
Sr. Director, Digital Innovation & Transformation Office
