Use-case-based evaluation and holistic testing of IEEE 2030.5 and IEC 61850 for grid integration of DER

With the global transition to sustainable energy, Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are becoming increasingly important in smart grids. To facilitate energy transition and advance communication with DER, stakeholders in the smart grid should consider appropriate communication standards. This paper evaluates two key protocols widely adopted for DER integration in smart grids: IEC 61850 and IEEE 2030.5. It comprehensively assesses the testability, performance, and stability of protocols across various scenarios, including network impairments, data model size, and data transition intervals. Key focuses include the definition and analysis of use cases, construction of simulated testing environments, and structured design and implementation of test cases. The methodology employs the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) to guide use case analysis, while the Holistic Test Description (HTD) method was applied for structured test design, combined with system testing approaches to ensure high test reusability. The paper concludes with an assessment framework and virtualized testing environments for protocol evaluation, highlighting the role of secure communication and data exchange in accelerating the energy transition towards sustainable systems.