Power System Analysis Tools

Main features of a tool include:

• Power Flow
• Short Circuit
• Stability
• Protection and Coordination
• Voltage Control/AGC
• DC System Analysis
• Optimal Power Flow
• Contingency
• Reliability
• Availability of Component Models
• Integration/Database/Reporting Capabilities
• Power Market Modeling and Analysis
Basics behind key features
Simulation modes
• Power electronic devices need to be discretized with fixed-time-step trapezoidal integration.
• The discretization mode also helps to simulate the desired model in real-time (dynamic simulation) whereas phasor
simulation represents a set algebraic equation at a fixed frequency which facilitates the execution of transient stability
studies of multi-machines design.

Analysis methods
• Steady-State Analysis: assumes sinusoidal voltages and currents, and linear system components; used todetermine
power flow; voltage profiles, losses (active and reactive), reactive power compensation, and transformer tap positions.
• Quasi-Steady State Analysis: used for abnormal system conditions, such as short circuit and harmonics.
• Dynamic Analysis: used to verify that the power system will not become unstable or even collapse during major
disturbances, and to determine the operating limits of the system.
• Transient Analysis: simulate (with programs like EMTP) real-life power systems, including nonlinear models; unbalance
impedances, and frequency - dependent parameters.
Multidomain environment
• Time Domain (TD) and/or Frequency Domain (FD). A , model’s accuracy can be determined by
observing the responses received from simulation in TD and FD environments.

Components and blocks library facilities

• The product should contain various electrical and mechanical components. Basic blocks include
electrical sources, machines models, connectors, circuit elements and control and measurement
blocks.
PowerWorld
• PowerWorld is a comprehensive, robust power flow solution engine capable of efficiently solving
systems of up to 60,000 buses.
• Basically, this power system analysis package is designed to simulate high voltage power system
operation on a time frame ranging from several minutes to several days.
• This package is not only limited to transmission line simulation but also simulates OPF, security-
constrained OPF, and hence is useful for simulating power market and internal education of
power systems.
SimPowerSystem(Matlab)
• It has powerful capabilities for modeling the generation, transmission, and distribution of
electrical power, especially when designing associated control systems.
• It contains more than 130 blocks for components and devices commonly found in electrical power
networks, based on well-known electromagnetic and electromechanical equations, and are
distributed in six libraries including sources, elements, machines, electronics, control and
measurements, and three-phase components.
• The package can be used to develop for general purpose, user-defined modules, and user can also
add his/her own modules in equation form.
Siemens PTI (PSS/E and SINCAL)
• Siemens PTI is the consulting, software and training arm of Siemens AG. Siemens PTI offers the
Power Systems Simulator (PSS) product suite, which includes among others: PSS®E/PSS®SINCAL
• The Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSS/E) was one of the first GUI-based power
systems analysis software, and was first released in 1976. It was purchased by Siemens in 2005.
• Functions include load flow, short circuit, dynamic simulations, OPF, contingency analysis
(probabilistic and deterministic), protection, eigenvalue / modal analysis, harmonics and small
signal stability. User-defined scripts can be created using a Python-style scripting language.
• Siemens Network Calculator (SINCAL) is a software package with planning tools for electricity as
well as pipe networks (gas, water, heating / cooling). Functions relevant to power systems analysis
include load flow (balanced and unbalanced), short circuit, time-domain dynamic simulations,
eigenvalue and modal analysis (integrated with PSS®NETOMAC), harmonic analysis, protection
simulations (integrated with PSS®PDMS), reliability and contingency analysis.
GE PSLF
• GE power system analysis programs that can handle system models of up to 60,000 buses are
structured as relational databases.
• GE’s power system analysis package includes PSLF, SCSC, and PSDS programs for load-flow ,short-
circuit, and transient-stability work. Some of the key features of the package are load flow with
relational data base and graphics, dynamic simulation with plotting (PSDS), and a large-scale
short-circuit calculations (SCSC).
• Several models of electrical elements are also available in the package. EPCL, a programming
language, facilitates user-defined program,models that handle a wide range of system analysis
and reporting tasks.
• Other stand-alone software include DSTAR Tools dedicated to routine distribution engineering
task, GEMAPS dedicated to an hour-by-hour electric power market analysis and opportunities and
production cost comparison depending on various system constraints, and GE MARS dedicated to
system reliability assessment comprising a numberof interconnected areas.
CYME
• CYME International is a Canadian firm (now part of the Cooper Power Systems family) that
develops an integrated suite of modular power engineering applications, as well as standalone
applications for cable ampacity calculations and electromagnetic transients.
• The integrated suite has a range of functions including load flow, short circuit, OPF, load
balancing, load allocation / estimation, optimal capacitor placement, network forecaster,
reliability, transient stability, harmonic analysis, dynamic motor starting, contingency, protection
coordination, switching optimization, GIS overlay, earthing grid design and arc flash analysis.
• CYME International’s PSAF is integrated power system analysis software, equipped with
simulation modules for conducting a wide array of system studies for utilities and industries.
• Currently available analysis modules of PSAF include CYMFLOW for power flow, motor starting,
and AC contingency analysis, CYMFAULT for short-circuit analysis, CYMHARMO for harmonic
analysis, CYMSTAB for transient-stability analysis, CYMLINE for one-line diagram, WECS for wind
energy conversion systems, and CYME programs for line and cable parameter calculations.
CYMDIST is another analysis package for distribution network planning and studies with various
optional add-on modules.
DIgSILENT (PowerFactory)
• DIgSILENT GmbH is a German company that develops PowerFactory, a Windows-based integrated
power systems modelling and analysis package.
• DIgSILENT PowerFactory is easy to use and caters for all standard power system analysis needs,
including high-end applications in new technologies such as wind power and distributed generation
and the handling of very large power systems.
• In addition to the stand-alone solution, the PowerFactory engine can be smoothly integrated into GIS,
DMS and EMS supporting open system standards.
• Some of the functions include power flow analysis, fault analysis, stability analysis, network reduction,
protection analysis, electromagnetic transients analysis, motor starting analysis, OPF, harmonic load
flow, state estimation, contingency and reliability assessments, overhead line and cable parameter
calculation, distribution network analysis, eigenvalue / modal analysis.
• Features include a C++ style scripting language called the DPL and a single, integrated, flexible
database.
PowerFactory
• DIgSILENT PowerFactory software is an integrated power system analysis tool that combines reliable and
flexible system modeling capabilities with state-of-the-art solutions algorithms and unique object-oriented
database management.
• One can develop detailed power system models in a single database with a wide range of steady-state,
frequency-domain, time-domain, and stochastic system characteristics. The package supports the simulation
and analysis for a system with a maximum of 100 buses, 250 buses, and an unlimited number of buses.
• Among the packages are PowerFactory Distribution, PowerFactory Transmission, PowerFactory Industrial,
and PowerFactory Enterprise. PowerFactory is not only limited to analysis of respective sectors but also does
reliability analysis, production planning, contingency analysis, power electronics device modeling, and
interface for SCADA/GIS, and is compatible with a third-party product such as PSS/E & PSS/U.
• Some of the functions include power flow analysis, fault analysis, stability analysis, network reduction,
protection analysis, electromagnetic transients analysis, motor starting analysis, OPF, harmonic load flow,
state estimation, contingency and reliability assessments, overhead line and cable parameter calculation,
distribution network analysis, eigenvalue / modal analysis.
• Features include a C++ style scripting language called the DPL and a single, integrated, flexible database.
NEPLAN
• NEPLAN Electricity is user-friendly and fully integrated power system analysis software for
transmission, distribution, and industrial networks, including OPF, transient stability, and
reliability analysis. This program is developed by BCP Inc. in corporation with ABB Utilities GmbH
and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
• NEPLAN Electricity is used to analyze, plan, optimize, and manage power networks for all levels of
industrial and consumer supply voltages with any desire number of nodes.
• NEPLAN has the following modules: load flow, short circuit, contingency analysis, motor starting
analysis, OPF, line parameter calculations, network reduction, harmonic analysis, investment
analysis, dynamic simulation, reliability analysis, overcurrent and distance protection, earthing
analysis, load forecasting, network optimisation tools, arc flash analysis and cable sizing. NEPLAN
also features a C/C++ based programming language and MATLAB interface.
 MiPower
• MiPower is an Indian product developed by Power Research and Development Consultants
(PRDC) - a Bangalore based consulting and software development company.
• MiPower is the flagship product of PRDC comprising of a wide range of software applications for
the design, analysis and simulation of electrical power system (transmission, distribution and
generation systems).
• The functions of MiPower include load flow, short circuit, Eigenvalue analysis, 3-phase load flow
(3pLFA), optimal power flow, contingency ranking and analysis, transient stability, motor starting,
protection, EMT analysis, harmonic analysis, SSR, voltage stability analysis, long-term forecasting,
network reduction, ground grid design, reliability, DC load flow and short circuit and battery
sizing.
DSA PowerTools
• DSA PowerTools Suite, developed by Powertech Labs Inc., is a leading-edge software
package for dynamic security assessment. The software is suitable for both off-line
(system planning) and on-line (near-real-time) power system security assessment.
• DSA PowerTools include PowerFlow and Short Circuit Analysis Tool (PSAT), Voltage
Security Assessment Tool (VSAT), Transient Security Assessment Tool (TSAT), Small
Signal Assessment Tool (SSAT), and Control Design Tool (CDT).
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TOOL
ETAP
• ETAP of Operational Technology, Inc. is for the design, simulation, and analysis of generation, transmission,
distribution, and industrial power systems.
• The ETAP software suite has various program modules like power system analysis, real-time simulation,
advanced monitoring, optimization control, intelligent load shedding, energy usage cost analysis, and device
coordination.
• The ETAP PowerStation family of programs is a fully integrated analysis tool used to design, maintain, and
operate electric power systems in a totally graphical and virtual reality environment.
• Other integrated tools include ETAP PSMS for PowerStation Management System, ETAP STAR for System
Protection and Device Coordination, and ETAP Panel Systems for panel system design and analysis.
• Functions include arc flash analysis, load flow analysis, short circuit analysis, motor starting, OPF, transient
stability analysis, generator start-up, parameter estimation, cable sizing, transformer tap optimization,
reliability assessment, transmission line constant calculations, harmonic analysis, protection coordination,
dc load flow, battery discharge and sizing, earth grid design, cable pulling, and GIS map integration.
ATP-EMTP
• ATP-EMTP is used world-wide for switching and lightning surge analysis, insulation coordination,
shaft torsional oscillation studies, protective relay modeling, harmonic and power quality studies,
and HVDC and FACTS modeling.
• ATP has been continuously developed through the international contributions of Drs. W. Meyer
and Tsu-huei Lui. ATP development includes honesty in all dealings and non-participation in EMTP
commerce, which is in the public domain.
PSCAD
• PSCAD of Manitoba HVDC Research Centre is a fast, accurate and easy-to-use power system
simulator for the design and verification of all types of power systems. It is a powerful and flexible
design tool and graphical user interface to EMTDC.
• It comes with a library of preprogrammed and tested models, ranging from simple passive
elements and control systems to more complex models, such as machines, FACTS devices, lines,
and cables.
• PSCAD is an electromagnetic time domain transient simulation environment and study tool,
created in 1988 and first released commercially in 1993. It is a multi-purpose dynamic simulator
with particular specialization in HVDC applications.
RTDS
• RTDS Simulator RTDS Technologies Inc. provides power systems simulation technology for real-
time digital simulation study of power systems with complex high voltage alternating current
(HVAC) and high voltage direct current (HVDC).
• The RTDS simulator with graphical user interface (GUI), RSCAD, software can be used for setting
up simulations, controlling, and modifying power system parameters during a simulation,
acquiring data, and analyzing results. Basically, the RTDS Simulator has two main software
elements GUI (RSCAD) and a library of modules and compilers.