DIgSILENT PowerFactory
DIgSILENT PowerFactory analyzes electrical generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial power systems.
What DIgSILENT PowerFactory is
DIgSILENT PowerFactory analyzes electrical generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial power systems. Its applications include studies of power generation, distributed generation, renewable integration, and medium- and low-voltage networks. Analysis functions include load flow, short circuit, contingency, protection, stability, and electromagnetic transients. Tasks can be automated with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language, a C++ API, or a tool for parallel task execution. The base package supports network-data import and conversion; its DGS interface exchanges ASCII, XML, CSV, and ODBC data for GIS and SCADA use. Dedicated interfaces include OPC DA/UA, IEEE C37.118 simulation, and FMI 2.0-based third-party EMT/RMS co-simulation, though some require separate licences. Editions range from a single-user SQLite setup to concurrent licence management and shared project data using Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL. The free demo lasts 28 days, is for one user, and has predefined functions; it excludes DGS, exports, and API. Commercial licence prices are available on request. PowerFactory is a Windows, API, and self-hosted product. DIgSILENT is based in Gomaringen, Germany.
Good
- Covers load-flow, protection, stability, and transient analyses.
- Task automation supports Python, DPL, and C++ API.
- Editions support single-user and shared project data.
- A 28-day demo licence is available.
- DIgSILENT states it is certified to ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015.
Watch out
- Demo excludes DGS, exports, and API.
- Commercial prices are available on request.
- Regular Softkey cannot be used in virtual environments.
- Cloud-based Softkey requires a permanent internet connection.
Who it suits
PowerFactory is intended for individual users, organizations managing multiple licences, and teams sharing central project data. Its analysis and automation functions are relevant to electrical power-system studies.
Verdict
PowerFactory offers a broad set of power-system studies, interfaces, and automation options across several licence editions. The demo has defined exclusions, and commercial licence terms and prices require further discussion.
Plans and prices
From DIgSILENT PowerFactory's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Demo licence | Free | Single user · Predefined functions · Excludes DGS, exports and API · Browser streaming version available · Free of charge for 28 days. |
| Commercial licence — perpetual | — | Functions configured individually · 100, 250, 500 or unlimited nodes · Softkey, USB dongle or cloud-based softkey · Perpetual use; initial purchase price includes the first 12 months of maintenance and support. |
| Commercial licence — subscription | Priced on request | Single-User Edition only · Commercial PF4C · Cloud-based Softkey · 6- or 12-month terms; subscription fee includes maintenance and support and renews automatically unless cancelled with 30 days’ prior written notice. |
| Commercial licence — time-limited | Priced on request | Commercial PF4C · Maintenance and support included for licence duration · Fixed term of 6 or 12 months. |
The facts
Each one read from DIgSILENT PowerFactory's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Applications
- The product supports studies of transmission, distribution, industrial systems, power generation, distributed generation and renewable integration.checked 11 Oct 2026
What it does
- Automation
- Tasks can be automated with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language (DPL), a C++ API and a task automation tool for parallel execution.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Core analyses
- Its listed functions include load-flow, short-circuit, MV/LV network, contingency, protection, stability and electromagnetic transient analyses.checked 11 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The public download area offers product documents, while registered users can access current software releases, documentation and model libraries.checked 11 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes the editions for individual end users, organisations managing multiple licences, and multi-user teams sharing central project data.checked 11 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PowerFactory analyses electrical generation, transmission, distribution and industrial power systems.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- DIgSILENT states that it is certified to ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015.checked 11 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1985checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Gomaringen, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
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