Ensuring the reliability of critical infrastructure, such as smart grids, is paramount and must be addressed early in the systems engineering process. One effective method for verifying this reliability is through the simulation of smart grid models. Given the complexity of smart grids, which consist of diverse and interconnected subsystems, co-simulation has emerged as a leading approach. It enables the integration of various independently developed simulators, making it particularly suitable for complex systems. This paper examines the interoperability between architectural models and co-simulation, using a case study implemented as both a simulation and an architectural model to identify similarities and differences. While architectural models offer valuable insights into the high-level structure of System-of-Systems, such as smart grids, our findings indicate that the two tools do not achieve full interoperability for generating a comprehensive simulation directly from architectural models. This limitation arises because co-simulations require detailed, entity-level information, which type-based architectural models typically lack. To address this challenge, we propose using architectural models as a foundation for generating co-simulation code skeletons. This approach bridges the gap between the two tools, providing a practical framework for enhancing their integration. The research highlights the interoperability challenges and presents a feasible strategy for effectively combining architectural models and co-simulation.