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We present Descending from Stochastic Clustering Variance Regression (DiSCoVeR) (https://www.github.com/sparks-baird/mat_discover), a Python tool for identifying and assessing high-performing, chemically unique compositions relative to existing compounds using a combination of a chemical distance metric, density-aware dimensionality reduction, clustering, and a regression model. In this work, we create pairwise distance matrices between compounds via Element Mover's Distance (ElMD) and use these to create 2D density-aware embeddings for chemical compositions via Density-preserving Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (DensMAP). Because ElMD assigns distances between compounds that are more chemically intuitive than Euclidean-based distances, the compounds can then be clustered into chemically homogeneous clusters via Hierarchical Density-based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN*). In combination with performance predictions via Compositionally-Restricted Attention-Based Network (CrabNet), we introduce several new metrics for materials discovery and validate DiSCoVeR on Materials Project bulk moduli using compound-wise and cluster-wise validation methods. We visualize these via multi-objective Pareto front plots and assign a weighted score to each composition that encompasses the trade-off between performance and density-based chemical uniqueness. In addition to density-based metrics, we explore an additional uniqueness proxy related to property gradients in DensMAP space. As a validation study, we use DiSCoVeR to screen materials for both performance and uniqueness to extrapolate to new chemical spaces. Top-10 rankings are provided for the compound-wise density and property gradient uniqueness proxies. Top-ranked compounds can be further curated via literature searches, physics-based simulations, and/or experimental synthesis. Finally, we compare DiSCoVeR against the naive baseline of random search for several parameter combinations in an adaptive design scheme. To our knowledge, this is the first time automated screening has been performed with explicit emphasis on discovering high-performing, novel materials. 

Smart grid systems are characterized by high complexity due to interactions between a traditional passive network and active power electronic components, coupled using communication links. Additionally, automation and information technology plays an important role in order to operate and optimize such cyber-physical energy systems with a high(er) penetration of fluctuating renewable generation and controllable loads. As a result of these developments the validation on the system level becomes much more important during the whole engineering and deployment process, today. In earlier development stages and for larger system configurations laboratory-based testing is not always an option. Due to recent developments, simulation-based approaches are now an appropriate tool to support the development, implementation, and roll-out of smart grid solutions. This paper discusses the current state of simulation-based approaches and outlines the necessary future research and development directions in the domain of power and energy systems.