  Renewables are key enablers for the realization of a sustainable energy
supply but grid operators and energy utilities have to mange their intermittent
behavior and limited storage capabilities by ensuring the security of supply
and power quality. Advanced control approaches, automation concepts, and
communication technologies have the potential to address these challenges by
providing new intelligent solutions and products. However, the validation of
certain aspects of such smart grid systems, especially advanced control and
automation concepts is still a challenge. The main aim of this work therefore
is to introduce a hardware-in-the-loop co-simulation-based validation framework
which allows the simulation of large-scale power networks and control solutions
together with real-world components. The application of this concept to a
selected voltage control example shows its applicability.
