What Is DIgSILENT PowerFactory?
DIgSILENT PowerFactory is the world’s leading integrated power system analysis software, developed by DIgSILENT GmbH (Germany, founded 1976 — DIgital SImuLator for Electrical NeTworks). It is the reference-standard tool for planning, operation, and analysis of electrical power systems from the smallest microgrid to the largest continental transmission networks.
Current version: PowerFactory 2026 (released February 2026), with PowerFactory 2025 and 2024 also actively supported.
PowerFactory is used by electric utilities, grid operators, consulting engineers, EPC contractors, renewable energy developers, equipment manufacturers, research institutions, and universities across more than 150 countries. It covers the complete analytical spectrum required for modern power systems: generation, transmission, distribution, industrial networks, microgrids, HVDC, and the full range of renewable energy integration challenges.
Key facts:
- 30+ years of continuous development
- Single integrated executable — no module switching or result transfers
- Vertically integrated model concept — one model shared across all analysis types
- Multi-user database server with access rights management
- Full scripting in DPL (DIgSILENT Programming Language) and Python
- Interfaces: CIM/CGMES, PSS/E, GIS, SCADA, OPC, ODBC
Who Uses DIgSILENT PowerFactory?
- Transmission system operators (TSOs) — continental grid planning, N-1 contingency analysis, ENTSO-E compliance studies (D2CF/DACF/IDCF)
- Distribution network operators (DNOs/DSOs) — distribution planning, DG integration, loss optimization
- Power plant developers — grid connection studies, grid code compliance (FRT, reactive capability, fault response)
- Renewable energy developers — wind farm, solar PV, and BESS integration studies
- EPC contractors — industrial power system design, protection studies, arc flash analysis
- Consulting engineers — independent power system studies for clients across all voltage levels
- Equipment manufacturers — digital twin models, factory acceptance testing validation
- Universities and research institutes — power systems education and advanced research
Core Analysis Functions
Load Flow (Power Flow)
Steady-state analysis of voltage profiles, power flows, and system losses:
- Balanced and unbalanced load flow — three-phase, two-phase, and single-phase AC systems
- Newton-Raphson, linear, DC load flow, and optimal power flow algorithms
- Voltage-dependent load models (ZIP loads), tap changer optimization (OLTC)
- Reactive power dispatch — generator reactive power limits, capacitor banks, STATCOMs
- Automatic voltage control across transformer tap changers and generator excitation
- Loss minimization and open-tie optimization for distribution networks
- Optimal capacitor placement and cable sizing for distribution systems
- State estimation for real-time network analysis
- Phase balance optimization — reducing unbalance in low voltage networks
- Results: bus voltages, branch loadings, transformer tap positions, reactive power flows
Short Circuit Analysis
Comprehensive fault analysis per international standards:
- Complete Method (IEC 60909) and Superposition Method — both supported
- Fault types: three-phase, line-to-earth, line-to-line, double line-to-earth
- Balanced and unbalanced fault calculations
- Maximum and minimum fault currents for equipment selection and protection grading
- Arc flash analysis — incident energy levels, protection boundary determination (IEEE 1584)
- DC short circuit calculation including bipolar HVDC and two-terminal battery models
- Short circuit impedance sweep along networks
- Updated Time-Distance and Short-Circuit Sweep plots (2026)
- Automatic selection of switchgear and fuse current limiting effects
RMS Stability (Quasi-Steady State / Transient Stability)
Time-domain simulations for seconds-to-minutes timescales:
- Transient stability — response to large disturbances: faults, switching, load shedding
- Small-signal stability — eigenvalue analysis, participation factors, oscillation modes
- Dynamic voltage stability — Q-V and P-V nose curves
- Long-term stability — slow dynamics over minutes (frequency and voltage recovery)
- Generator models: synchronous machines with AVR, PSS, governor
- RMS wind turbine and PV inverter models per IEC 61400-27-1 and WECC standards
- Quasi-Dynamic Simulation (QDSL) — now supports DC Load Flow (2025+)
- Performance parallelization of RMS simulations — significantly reduced calculation times
EMT Simulation (Electromagnetic Transients)
Instantaneous value (three-phase, microsecond resolution) simulations:
- Full electromagnetic transient modeling — from microseconds to seconds
- AC and DC systems — including VSC-HVDC, LCC-HVDC, and hybrid HVDC
- Power electronic device modeling: converters, FACTS, BESS inverters
- Cable frequency-dependent models — accurate representation of wave propagation
- Lightning and switching overvoltage studies
- Parallelization based on automatic or user-configured network partitioning (2026) — major improvement in EMT calculation times for large networks
- Interface for FMU (Functional Mock-Up Units) via FMI 2.0 and FMI 3.0 — import and export
- Fuse models with full let-through characteristic for combined static and dynamic simulations
Harmonics and Power Quality
- Harmonic load flow — frequency-domain analysis of harmonic propagation
- Frequency-dependent Norton equivalents for network components
- Impedance frequency sweeps — network impedance as a function of frequency
- Flickermeter calculation per IEC standards
- Impedance-Based Stability Analysis (IBSA) in the frequency domain — for converter-dominated grids
- Harmonic current source injection from non-linear loads and power electronics
- Power quality compliance assessment
Protection Coordination and Simulation
- Complete protection relay library: overcurrent, distance, differential, directional, earth fault
- Protection simulation — relay behavior during fault events in RMS and EMT
- R-X protection plots with tolerance indication (2025+) — in the updated plot framework
- Time-Distance plots and Short-Circuit Sweep plots (2026)
- Overcurrent relay time-current coordination
- Distance protection reach and zone setting calculation
- StationWare integration — central protection settings database linked to PowerFactory models
- Selectivity verification — ensuring correct fault isolation without unnecessary tripping
Reliability and Contingency Analysis
- N-1 contingency analysis — automated screening of all single outages
- Validity periods for fault cases and remedial action schemes (2026) — improved contingency workflow
- Monte Carlo reliability analysis
- Failure rate and availability calculations for network components
- ENTSO-E compliant parallel grid safety analysis (D2CF/DACF/IDCF formats)
- Optimal power flow with security constraints
Modelica Hybrid Modelling
A landmark development across recent PowerFactory versions:
PowerFactory uses Modelica as its primary language for user-defined dynamic models — the industry-standard object-oriented modelling language for multi-domain physical systems.
PowerFactory 2025 introduced Hybrid Modelica Modelling:
- Represent continuous-time (differential equations) and discrete-time (sampled, clocked) components within a single model
- Model complex non-linear systems with mixed time domains — control systems with discrete sampling alongside continuous plant dynamics
- Build models graphically using block diagrams or write Modelica code directly
- Used for accurate representation of digital controllers, power electronic gate firing logic, and sampled measurement systems
PowerFactory 2026 further extends Modelica:
- New features and improved model execution efficiency and reliability
- Enhanced support for hybrid model types
- FMU export via FMI 3.0 (in addition to FMI 2.0) — models exportable for use in co-simulation environments
Renewable Energy Integration
PowerFactory is the industry standard for renewable energy grid connection and grid impact studies:
Wind Power
- Models for all wind turbine types (Type 1–4) and configurations
- IEC 61400-27-1 standard wind turbine models — internationally recognized generic models
- WECC wind and solar models — for North American grid studies
- Full wind farm park models with wake effects
- Grid code compliance: FRT (Fault Ride-Through), reactive power capability, frequency response
- Power Park Energy Analysis tool — economic and energy yield assessment
Solar PV
- PV inverter models: central, string, and micro-inverters
- Large-scale PV plant models with multiple MPP trackers and inverter configurations
- Integration studies: voltage regulation, protection, grid code compliance
- PV variability studies using time-series data
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- BESS models with grid-forming and grid-following control modes
- Integration with PV and wind in hybrid power plant configurations
- Grid services: frequency response, voltage support, peak shaving
- DC short circuit for bipolar HVDC and BESS (2026)
HVDC
- VSC-HVDC (Voltage Source Converter) — point-to-point and multi-terminal
- LCC-HVDC (Line Commutated Converter) — classical HVDC with thyristors
- HVDC grid models for offshore wind interconnectors and continental overlays
- RMS and EMT models for HVDC converters and controls
Modelling Framework
Single Database Concept
All data for all analysis functions organized in one integrated database:
- No separate files for different study types
- Graphics, variations, study cases, outputs, user-defined models — all in one place
- Multi-user database server — team access with defined rights, auditing, data sharing
Variations and Study Cases
- Project variations — superimpose modifications on the base network (switching states, future development scenarios, equipment upgrades)
- Study cases — combine a variation with a specific set of calculation options
- Efficient comparison of multiple scenarios without data duplication
- Reliable reproduction of study results
Network Elements
Complete library of standard power system equipment:
- Lines (overhead, cable), transformers (2-winding, 3-winding, with OLTC), circuit breakers, disconnectors
- Synchronous and asynchronous machines, static generators (converters), motors
- Loads (constant, voltage-dependent), capacitor/reactor banks, SVCs, STATCOMs, SSSCs
- Measurement devices, protection relays, controllers
- HVDC converters (VSC and LCC), FACTS devices
- User-defined equipment through Modelica or DSL
Single-Line Diagram (SLD)
- Intuitive network drawing with graphical elements
- Filter Layers for diagrams (2025+) — define layers and switch visibility for cleaner visualizations
- Flexible window layout (2025+) — almost any vertical and horizontal arrangement
- Collapsible dynamic output window, drawing toolbar, project overview
- Color coding per voltage level, loading level, or user-defined criteria
Scripting and Automation
DPL (DIgSILENT Programming Language)
PowerFactory’s built-in scripting language for automation:
- Full access to all PowerFactory objects, calculations, and results
- Parameterized scripts for batch processing of multiple scenarios
- Custom optimization algorithms, automatic report generation
- Event-driven scripts for protection and control system simulation
Python Interface
- Full PowerFactory API accessible from Python scripts
- Run load flows, contingency analyses, and parameter sweeps from Python
- Integration with NumPy, Pandas, matplotlib for data processing and visualization
- Machine learning workflows using PowerFactory as the simulation engine
External Interfaces
- CIM/CGMES — import/export of network models in IEC Common Information Model (2026 adds CSA profile for cross-border Security Analysis)
- PSS/E compatibility — import PSS/E network models
- DGS (DIgSILENT Data Exchange Format) — standardized data exchange
- OPC interface — real-time data exchange with SCADA/EMS systems
- ODBC driver — database connectivity for external data management
- GIS integration — geographic data import for geographic-based network models
- FMU/FMI (2.0 and 3.0) — co-simulation with external tools (Simulink, OpenModelica, etc.)
PowerFactory Engine
- Headless (GUI-free) execution for server deployment
- Integration into enterprise applications via web services
- Built-in queuing and scheduling for automated batch runs
- API control via Python or DPL
DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2026 — What’s New
Released February 2026, DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2026 introduces:
- EMT parallelization — automatic or user-configured network partitioning for dramatically faster EMT calculations on multi-core machines
- Enhanced Modelica hybrid modelling — new features, improved execution efficiency and reliability
- DC Short Circuit extensions — support for short circuits between two DC terminals (two-terminal battery model, bipolar HVDC)
- Contingency Analysis improvements — validity periods for fault cases and remedial action schemes
- Time-Distance and Short-Circuit Sweep plots — updated and improved
- CIM/CGMES CSA profile — new Coordinated Security Analysis profile supporting Regional Operational Security Coordination data exchange (ENTSO-E)
DIgSILENT PowerFactory vs Competitors
| Feature | DIgSILENT PowerFactory | ETAP | PSS/E (Siemens PTI) | PSCAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Load flow | ✅ Balanced + unbalanced | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Short circuit | ✅ IEC + IEEE | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| RMS/transient stability | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| EMT simulation | ✅ Full | Limited | ❌ | ✅ Full |
| Harmonics | ✅ | ✅ | Limited | ✅ |
| Protection simulation | ✅ Full | ✅ | Limited | Limited |
| Arc flash | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| HVDC VSC/LCC | ✅ | Limited | ✅ | ✅ |
| Renewables (IEC 61400-27) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Modelica user models | ✅ | DSL only | Limited | ✅ |
| Python API | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| CIM/CGMES | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Multi-user database | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| EMT parallelization | ✅ (2026) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Market focus | Utilities + consulting | Industrial + utilities | Transmission utilities | EMT/HVDC research |
Choose PowerFactory when: you need the broadest analysis scope (load flow through EMT) in a single integrated environment, particularly for transmission and distribution planning, renewable energy grid integration, protection studies, and HVDC analysis — at any scale from microgrid to continental network.
ETAP — better choice for purely industrial power systems (arc flash focus, one-line diagram generation for NEC/IEC plant design).
PSS/E — competitive for large transmission network planning, especially in North American utilities with existing PSS/E model libraries.
PSCAD — preferred for detailed electromagnetic studies where EMT accuracy is the sole priority, particularly HVDC and power electronics research.
License Types
DIgSILENT offers several PowerFactory license configurations:
Standard Edition (Base Package):
- Core analysis functions: load flow, short circuit, RMS stability, protection
- Single-user license (network-locked or USB dongle)
- Suitable for most industrial and distribution studies
Enterprise Package:
- Full access including EMT, harmonic analysis, reliability, advanced grid functions
- Multi-user database server
- Required for transmission-scale and HVDC studies
PF4E and PF4R (Education/Research):
- Full Enterprise functionality for universities and research institutions
- All functions including power electronics, unbalanced operation, AC/DC systems
- Time-domain simulations from EMT to long-term stability
Maintenance and Support Subscription:
- Access to all new releases during subscription period
- Technical support
- Required for download access to new versions
System Requirements
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| RAM | 8 GB minimum; 16+ GB recommended for large networks |
| CPU | Multi-core (parallelization benefits from more cores, especially EMT 2026+) |
| Storage | 10 GB for installation; additional for project databases |
| Database server | Required for multi-user deployments (PostgreSQL or Oracle) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PowerFactory import PSS/E network models? Yes. PowerFactory supports import of PSS/E format (raw data files) for network topology, load flow data, and dynamic models. This enables organizations transitioning from PSS/E to PowerFactory, or performing studies in both tools from a shared model base.
What is the difference between RMS and EMT simulation in PowerFactory? RMS (Root Mean Square) simulation uses phasor representation — efficient for seconds-to-minutes studies of transient stability and frequency dynamics. EMT (Electromagnetic Transient) simulation represents instantaneous three-phase voltages and currents — necessary for fast phenomena: power electronics switching, HVDC control, lightning surges, and detailed cable behavior. PowerFactory uniquely offers both in one integrated environment with consistent network models.
Does PowerFactory support real-time simulation? PowerFactory offers Engine mode for server deployment and API-based integration, but real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation is handled by RTDS, OPAL-RT, or dSPACE platforms — often configured to use PowerFactory models exported as FMU/Modelica components.
How does PowerFactory’s Python interface work? PowerFactory exposes its full object model through a Python API. Once PowerFactory is open, Python scripts can access network elements, run calculations, modify parameters, and retrieve results — enabling automated batch studies, parametric sweeps, and integration with data processing pipelines.
Is there a free or trial version? DIgSILENT offers academic licenses (PF4E/PF4R) for universities at preferential rates. Commercial trial arrangements are typically through local DIgSILENT distributors. Contact DIgSILENT GmbH directly or through the regional office for your country.
Summary
DIgSILENT PowerFactory is the most comprehensively integrated power system analysis platform in the industry — covering every analytical domain from steady-state load flow through full EMT transients, with consistent network models, a single database, and a powerful scripting framework. Its 30+ year track record, continuous development (with PowerFactory 2026 introducing EMT parallelization, extended Modelica hybrid modelling, and improved HVDC tools), and adoption by leading TSOs, utilities, and consultants worldwide make it the definitive tool for serious power system engineering.
For licensing inquiries, contact our team via Telegram: t.me/DoCrackMe
Related articles: ETAP 24 — Power System Analysis for Industrial and Utility Networks | PSCAD — Electromagnetic Transients Simulation for HVDC and Power Electronics | Renewable Energy Grid Integration Studies — Best Practices and Tools
