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DIgSILENT PowerFactory

digsilent.de

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Spec score 8.0 #11 of 41 in Electrical Design Software

What it is

DIgSILENT PowerFactory is software for analyzing electrical generation, transmission, distribution and industrial power systems. Its study areas include renewable integration, distributed generation, and medium- and low-voltage networks. Available analyses cover load flow, short circuits, contingencies, protection, stability and electromagnetic transients. Users can automate work with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language, a C++ API or a parallel task automation tool. The base package imports and converts network data; its DGS interface exchanges data in ASCII, XML, CSV and ODBC formats for GIS and SCADA connections. Additional interfaces include OPC DA/UA, IEEE C37.118 simulation and FMI 2.0 co-simulation, though some require separate licences. Editions range from a local SQLite setup to licence-server management and shared project data using Oracle, SQL Server or PostgreSQL. The 28-day demo is free for one user, with predefined functions, and excludes DGS, exports and API. Commercial pricing is available on request; platforms listed are Windows, API and self-hosted.

Spec sheet

Purpose
PowerFactory analyses electrical generation, transmission, distribution and industrial power systems.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Intended users
The maker describes the editions for individual end users, organisations managing multiple licences, and multi-user teams sharing central project data.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Security
DIgSILENT states that it is certified to ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Support
Commercial perpetual licences include maintenance and support for the first 12 months, and subscriptions include them for the subscription term; software support requests go through the Customer Portal.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Headquarters
Gomaringen, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · digsilent.de
Founded
1985Read 28 Sep 2026 · digsilent.de
Applications
The product supports studies of transmission, distribution, industrial systems, power generation, distributed generation and renewable integration.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Automation
Tasks can be automated with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language (DPL), a C++ API and a task automation tool for parallel execution.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Core analyses
Its listed functions include load-flow, short-circuit, MV/LV network, contingency, protection, stability and electromagnetic transient analyses.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Data exchange
The base package supports network-data import and conversion, and its DGS interface exchanges data in ASCII, XML, CSV and ODBC formats for GIS and SCADA interfacing.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Downloads
The public download area offers product documents, while registered users can access current software releases, documentation and model libraries.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Editions
Single-User uses a local SQLite database, Multi-User manages concurrent licences through a licence server, and Team Edition supports shared project data through Oracle, SQL Server or PostgreSQL.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Notable licence limits
A regular Softkey cannot be used in virtual environments; a cloud-based Softkey requires a permanent internet connection, and the optional floating licence on a local machine is limited to 30 days.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Other interfaces
Dedicated interfaces include OPC DA/UA, IEEE C37.118 simulation and FMI 2.0-based third-party EMT/RMS co-simulation; some require separate licences, and OPC DA is slated for removal in PowerFactory 2027.Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de

Plans and prices

Demo licence Free Free of charge for 28 days. Single user · Predefined functions · Excludes DGS, exports and API · Browser streaming version available Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Commercial licence — perpetual Price not published Perpetual use; initial purchase price includes the first 12 months of maintenance and support. Functions configured individually · 100, 250, 500 or unlimited nodes · Softkey, USB dongle or cloud-based softkey Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Commercial licence — subscription Priced on request 6- or 12-month terms; subscription fee includes maintenance and support and renews automatically unless cancelled with 30 days’ prior written notice. Single-User Edition only · Commercial PF4C · Cloud-based Softkey Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Commercial licence — time-limited Priced on request Fixed term of 6 or 12 months. Commercial PF4C · Maintenance and support included for licence duration Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de

Every DIgSILENT PowerFactory plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Covers load-flow, protection, stability and transient analyses.
  • Automates tasks with Python, DPL and C++ API.
  • Supports shared project data across three database options.
  • Free 28-day demo licence is available.

Limits

  • Demo excludes DGS, exports and API.
  • Commercial prices are available only on request.
  • Cloud-based Softkey needs a permanent internet connection.
  • OPC DA is slated for removal in PowerFactory 2027.

Who it suits

PowerFactory suits electrical-system analysts working across generation, transmission, distribution or industrial networks. Its editions address individual users, organizations managing multiple licences and teams sharing project data.

Verdict

PowerFactory combines broad electrical-system studies with automation, data exchange and several deployment editions. Buyers should confirm which interfaces and licence constraints fit their setup, since some interfaces require separate licences and commercial pricing is by request.

Where Specifiction places it

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