If your main objective is to implement cyber-security besides the communication systems, I would suggest MATLAB. Otherwise, I would suggest any network simulator - NS2, NS3, OPNET etc.

I don't like yet the capabilities of most distribution system analysis commercial software for these purposes. If you are developing new strategies or techniques and they require you to simulate in real time both the communication system and the power system, I would suggest that you use Simulink. You can configure equipment any way you wish, its dynamic and you can make power and communication systems interact in a visually simple way. However, beware of the power characteristics of unbalanced distribution systems in Simulink.

You may use an interface between Digsilent and Matlab. Digsilent simulate power system components, relayng etc. and Matlab to control parameters of Digsilent components in real time or communication

We are using AnyLogic, endowed with Agent-Based and Discrete Event methods, to this.

Each agent represents a node (Slack, PV, or PQ bus type) in the smart-grid.  We make the power flow calculations in a local way at each node, and communications by sending messages between agents when some significant event occurs.

This method has the advantage that it is independent of any technology and then the implementation details, even choosing communication systems, smart meters, and other devices, can be left to a final stage of the work.

See:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890413004214

Can be implemented on DIgSILENT bt communciation part may be complex to implement on DIgSILENT

In Simulink Block Diagram one can use any of the Simulation Blocs belonging to all the Tool Boxes coordinating them properly. Matlab include simulink also. We have used it including Power System and D.S.P. To integrate it with Soft Ware also  I suggest that Mohammed Elgamal's Suggestion may be tried.

P.S.

Another simulator is there - VSim-RTI.

The Following Papers may give you an ides of the Complexities and Solutions to

tacle the problems of simulating present day Grids.

1.   An Integrated Cyber-Physical Simulation Environment for Smart Grid

Applications

Yuxin Wan, Junwei Cao

, Shuqing Zhang, Guoyu Tu, Chao Lu, Xingtao Xu, and Keqin Li

Abstract:

The concept of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs), which combine computation, networking, and physical processes, is considered to be beneficial to smart grid applications. This study presents an integrated simulation environment to provide a unified platform for the investigation of smart grid applications involving power grid monitoring, communication, and control. In contrast to the existing approaches, this environment allows the network simulator to operate independently, importing its results to the power system simulation. This resolves conflicts between discrete event simulation and continuous simulation. In addition, several data compensation methods are proposed and investigated under different network delay conditions. A case study of wide-area monitoring and

control is provided, and the efficiency of the proposed simulation framework has been evaluated based on the experimental results.

Key words:

control; cyber-physical system; simulation; smart grid; wide-area monitoring

Link:   http://www.mit.edu/~caoj/pub/doc/jcao_j_sg.pdf

2.   A Comparison of Wireless Sensor Networks Co-Simulation Platforms for Smart Grid Applications

Samira Chouikhi *, Inès El Korbi *, Yacine Ghamri-Doudane † and Leila Azouz Saidane

The problem in a smart grid is to simulate two completely different systems interacting with each other. On the one hand, the electric power system has a continuous time dynamic behavior. On the other hand, the communication network including many types of networks (wireless sensor, wired, LAN, and WLAN networks) has a discrete event behavior. Therefore, simulators conceived for conventional power grids or only for networking are unable to emulate the real behavior of smart grids. This incapability rise the need for new platforms that can reflect the real smart grids behavior and provide tools for the researches to simulate any new technique or mechanism specific to these grids. The term co-simulation is used to define a simulation of two different systems, which needs the cooperation of more than one simulator (the power simulator and the network simulator in the case of smart grids) to fulfill the simulation task.

Co-simulation supports many different methods for connecting simulators. One method is that each simulator runs separately from the other and when an interaction is needed it can send or receive information by using third tier (for example pipes). In this method, the synchronization is a key factor to guarantee the simulation success. The second method is to implement new interface in each simulator ensuring the interaction with the other simulator without need of a third tier. Another method is to integrate one simulator’s

functionalities in the other as a module. This can avoid the problem of synchronization and gives a perfect emulation of the real world.

Link:   www.sdiwc.net/digital-library/web-admin/upload-pdf/..

3.   Combined Studies of Power Electronics and Communication Networks for the Smart Grid

L. C. Herrera,, F. Guo,R. Murawski,E. Ekici,and J. Wang,

Abstract

--The modernization of the current power grid has brought forward many requirements in order to make possible the vision of a smarter grid. This paper presents these challenges and the current achievements in order to aid in its

transformation. It identifies developing applications within the power network; from centralized generation to distribution in terms of power electronics, power systems,  and communications.

A summary of the current undergoing studies in a lab setting geared towards solving the needs of the smart grid is described.

Furthermore, a case study which emphasizes the communication, control, and simulation aspects for the smart grid is expressed and results are displayed in detail.

Index Terms

-- Smart grids, real time systems, solar energy, communication networks, power grids.

Link:   http://www2.ece.ohio-state.edu/~ekici/papers/Smart_Energytech.pdf

P.S.

To start with (specially to model cyber security), I found the following paper very useful:

Kundur, D., Feng, X., Mashayekh, S., Liu, S., Zourntos, T. and Butler-Purry, K.L. (2011) ‘Towards modelling the impact of cyber attacks on a smart grid’, Int. J. Security and Networks.

http://www.comm.toronto.edu/~dkundur/pub_pdfs/KunFenMasLiuZouButIJSN11.pdf

can i use MATLAB SIMULINK to simulate both communication and power system ??

Sara Hebal Yes: https://uk.mathworks.com/discovery/power-system-simulation-and-optimization.html

Ricardo M. Czekster thank you very much sir

Good Information Ricardo M. Czekster