Advanced OpenModelica: Modular System Modeling

Name: Advanced OpenModelica: Modular System Modeling
Rating: 4.1 (3 reviews)

Structured system modeling, scaling strategies, and result analysis using OMEdit

Created byHafiz Muhammad Waqas

Last updated 12/2025

English

What you'll learn

Translate real-world energy and power systems into structured, modular models in OpenModelica using OMEdit.
Organize complex projects with packages, submodels, and reusable components for scalable modeling.
Apply advanced OpenModelica features such as arrays, custom units, and model extension to simplify large systems.
Build and simulate multi-cell stacks and multi-stack systems to capture realistic system behavior.
Visualize models with diagram/icon views, define connectors, and ensure clear interactions between components.
Export simulation results to CSV or other formats for analysis and reporting.
Gain transferable skills applicable to a wide range of energy, power, and engineering applications.

Course content

5 sections • 26 lectures • 3h 1m total length

Course Introduction and Learning Approach3:19
This video introduces the course, outlining the content, objectives, and the project-driven approach used throughout. It provides a clear roadmap for learners, highlighting how the course will guide them in building structured, modular, and reusable models in OpenModelica using OMEdit.

Module Content & Shunt Current Basics3:34
Explore shunt current in energy systems by analyzing parallel paths, parameter effects, and validation of system profiles, with a focus on redox flow batteries and translating models to OpenModellica.
Flow Battery Operation and Shunt Current8:36
Translating the System into an Equivalent Circuit6:21
Translate the electrochemical system into an equivalent circuit, identifying parallel paths, shunt current, internal resistance, and manifold and channel resistances to optimize pump power trade-offs in a 20-cell stack.
Shunt Current Profiles, Influencing Factors, and System Impact7:46
Explore shunt current profiles in redox flow batteries, their influencing factors, and system impact. Learn how cell voltage differences, electrolyte conductivity, and channel resistance shape efficiency and heating risks.

Module Overview and Conceptual Background3:50
Explore the two-cell model in OMEdit, learn core Modelica concepts, use custom units and arrays, and extend and structure a parametric, multi-cell OpenModelica project with the icon diagram view.
Hands-On: Hands-On: Custom Units in OMEdit7:06
Define and use a custom unit in OMEdit by declaring types for flow rate, pressure, and power, assigning units like liter per minute and bar, and formulating a power equation.
Hands-On: Extends and Arrays in OMEdit6:03
Extend and reuse models in openmodelica using the extend keyword to modify base model variables. Define arrays and vectors to build modular, space-saving simulations.
Hands on: Project Structure4:25
Structure your OpenModelica project inside a top-level package, defining models such as parameters, two cells, base (five cells), stack, multi-stack series and parallel, and a test model for validation.
Hands-On: Building a Two-Cell Model in OMEdit11:24
Build a two-cell model in OMEdit by configuring voltage sources, resistances, and color-coded inlet and outlet connections with a constant current source and ground.
Hands-On: Defining Parameter set for Structured Modeling13:45
Define model parameters in OpenModelica for manifold and channel geometry, compute manifold and channel resistances, and set conductivity in millisiemens per centimeter to simulate electrolyte flow.
Hands-On: Assigning Parameters and Simulating the Two-Cell Model8:04
Hands-On: Defining Interfaces and Icons for Models6:08
Explore defining interfaces and icons for modular OpenModelica models, using diagram view to connect pins, drag and drop components, copy and paste workflows, and simulate multiple cell assemblies.

Module Overview2:30
Scale a two-cell model to a 20-cell stack in OpenModelica, organize five-cell base unit parameters for easy modification, and analyze shunt current distribution while verifying a parabolic profile.
Hands-On: Building and Testing a Five-Cell Block10:01
Hands-On: Organizing Components and Assigning Parameters4:08
Organize a five-cell modular model by grouping resistances and assigning parameters, then connect cells and adjust values in text view. Cell 3 shows the maximum shunt loss.
Hands-On: Creating Interfaces and Icons for Multi-Cell Models10:30
Create interfaces and icons for multi-cell models in OpenModelica by adding manifold resistances, naming left and right pins, and using text and icon views to connect base units.
Hands-On: Building a 20-Cell Stack Using Modular Blocks9:48
Construct a 20-cell stack by duplicating five-cell blocks, connecting units, and removing end resistances, then extend submodels to override parameters for a steady-state OpenModelica simulation.
Hands-On: Simulating and Validating the 20-Cell Stack9:38
Simulate a 20-cell stack in OpenModelica, export results as CSV, and analyze shunt current and parabola to quantify losses. Compare design changes and parameter tweaks to optimize the modular stack.
Module Summary2:33
Leverage modularity with base blocks and instance concepts, centralizing parameters and using arrays to model shunt current with a parabolic profile and enable sensitivity-driven optimization.

Module Overview6:19
Explore multi-stack configurations in series and parallel, comparing electrical and hydraulic connections, shunt currents, and isolation of faulty stacks, with csv export and OpenModelica modeling.
Hands-On: Creating Multi-Stack Systems with Series Configuration12:15
Hands-On: Defining Component Parameters for Multi-Stack Systems6:21
Define and tune manifold and channel parameters for a multi-stack system in OpenModelica, setting lengths and diameters, computing resistances, running a 10-step simulation, and exporting results to csv.
Hands-On: Creating a Parallel Multi-Stack Model4:24
Construct a multi-stack parallel system by aligning hydraulic and electrical connections; validate parallel current distribution (20 amps total, ~5 amps per stack) and prepare to export results to csv.
Hands-On: Exporting and Analyzing Multi-Stack Simulation Results10:14
Course Summary and Key Takeaways2:47
Translate a physical system into an OpenModelica model, building 2-, 5-, and 20-cell stacks and multi-stack configurations in series and parallel, with validation against literature current profiles.

Requirements

Basic familiarity with OpenModelica and OMEdit is recommended.
Understanding of fundamental modeling concepts (variables, parameters, components) will help you follow along more easily.
No advanced knowledge required—students new to OpenModelica can build foundational skills by taking my first course, Introduction to OpenModelica.

Description

Course Description

Welcome to Advanced OpenModelica: Modular System Modeling, a hands-on course designed to enhance your system modeling skills for energy and power applications. Learn structured, modular, and scalable workflows in OMEdit to build multi-cell and multi-stack models, run simulations, and analyze results.

This course builds on foundational OpenModelica knowledge, teaching you to design clean, professional models, manage parameters systematically, implement parameterized blocks, and create icons and interfaces for modular systems—skills directly applicable in engineering, research, and industrial projects.

What You Will Learn

Design modular, scalable system models
Extend component models to multi-component
Define and manage parameters efficiently
Use arrays, extensions, and blocks to streamline modeling
Build and organize visual and textual models in OMEdit
Create icons and interfaces for modular model instantiation
Run simulations and analyze system behavior, including shunt currents
Export results as CSV for further analysis
Apply best practices for maintainable, extensible models

Who This Course Is For

Engineers, researchers, and students in energy, power, or multi-domain systems
Anyone with basic OpenModelica knowledge seeking advanced skills
Learners interested in structured, modular system modeling for practical applications

Course Highlights

Project-driven, hands-on approach with real-world energy and power systems
Step-by-step guidance for advanced OMEdit workflows
Modular system design and structured project organization
Multi-cell and multi-stack modeling exercises
Simulation, analysis, and CSV export techniques
Focus on scalable, professional, and maintainable models

Why This Course Exists

This course fills the gap in structured, practical training for complex system modeling. Most advanced resources are either too theoretical or lack professional workflows. This course provides hands-on, project-focused learning to develop scalable, analyzable models.

What Comes Next

In the next course, I will extend this work to the hydraulic side, covering flow battery dynamics, fluid libraries, and controller design, and demonstrate integration of electrical and hydraulic systems to explore optimal operation for combined systems.

Who this course is for:

Anyone who wants to confidently build and organize system models in OpenModelica using OMEdit.
Learners looking to move beyond the basics and apply practical, project-driven modeling techniques.
Those who want to translate real-world systems into modular, reusable models.
Anyone interested in simulating, visualizing, and analyzing results efficiently.

Advanced OpenModelica: Modular System Modeling

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Course Introduction1 lecture • 3min

Project Deep Dive4 lectures • 26min

Modeling Fundamentals and Project Structure8 lectures • 1hr 1min

Multi-Cell Stack Modeling and Simulation7 lectures • 49min

Modular Multi-Stack Modeling and Exporting Results6 lectures • 42min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: