- Home
- Electrical Design Software
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
Gomaringen, Germany
What it is
DIgSILENT PowerFactory analyzes electrical generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial power systems. Its applications include power generation, distributed generation, renewable integration, and medium- and low-voltage networks. Listed studies cover load flow, short circuits, contingencies, protection, stability, and electromagnetic transients. Tasks can be automated with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language, a C++ API, or a tool for parallel execution. The base package supports network-data import and conversion, while its DGS interface exchanges ASCII, XML, CSV, and ODBC data for GIS and SCADA. Additional interfaces include OPC DA/UA, IEEE C37.118 simulation, and FMI 2.0-based third-party EMT/RMS co-simulation; some require separate licences. Editions cover local single-user work, concurrent licence management, and shared project data using Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL. A free demo lasts 28 days for one user with predefined functions, excluding DGS, exports, and API. Commercial pricing is available on request. PowerFactory is offered for Windows, API, and self-hosted use.
For and against
For
- Covers load-flow, short-circuit, protection, and stability analyses.
- Supports Python, DPL, and C++ automation.
- Offers editions for single and multi-user workflows.
- 28-day demo licence available.
- Commercial licences include maintenance and support for applicable terms.
Against
- No free plan; commercial pricing is on request.
- Demo excludes DGS, exports, and API.
- Some dedicated interfaces require separate licences.
- Regular Softkey cannot be used in virtual environments.
The verdict
PowerFactory brings a wide set of electrical-system analyses, automation options, and data interfaces into one product. The demo has defined exclusions, and commercial licence details require a pricing request.
Who it suits
PowerFactory is intended for individual users, organizations managing multiple licences, and teams that share project data. Its listed applications center on electrical network and generation analysis.
Plans and prices
Demo licence
Single user · Predefined functions · Excludes DGS, exports and API · Browser streaming version available
Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Commercial licence — perpetual
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
Single-User Edition only · Commercial PF4C · Cloud-based Softkey
Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
Commercial licence — time-limited
Commercial PF4C · Maintenance and support included for licence duration
Read 11 Oct 2026 · digsilent.de
On the record
- Applications
- The product supports studies of transmission, distribution, industrial systems, power generation, distributed generation and renewable integration.digsilent.de · read 11 Oct 2026
- Automation
- Tasks can be automated with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language (DPL), a C++ API and a task automation tool for parallel execution.digsilent.de · read 11 Oct 2026
- Core analyses
- Its listed functions include load-flow, short-circuit, MV/LV network, contingency, protection, stability and electromagnetic transient analyses.digsilent.de · read 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.digsilent.de · read 11 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The public download area offers product documents, while registered users can access current software releases, documentation and model libraries.digsilent.de · read 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.digsilent.de · read 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.digsilent.de · read 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.digsilent.de · read 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.digsilent.de · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PowerFactory analyses electrical generation, transmission, distribution and industrial power systems.digsilent.de · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- DIgSILENT states that it is certified to ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015.digsilent.de · read 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.digsilent.de · read 11 Oct 2026