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PowerWorld Simulator
Champaign, Illinois, United States
What it is
PowerWorld Simulator is Windows desktop software for interactively simulating high-voltage power system operation over periods from several minutes to several days. The full package can solve power-flow systems of up to 250,000 buses. Its base package includes contingency analysis with automatic batch processing, full power-flow or fast linearized analysis, and result views by contingency or impacted facility. Visualization features include animated diagrams, automated diagram creation and modification, contoured displays, and a model explorer. Optional add-ons cover ATC, OPF, SCOPF, reserves optimization, SimAuto, transient stability, GIC, and integrated topology processing. SimAuto can extend the software from an external program. Industry-standard file formats and GIS support are listed. It runs on 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 and newer, with no other operating systems supported. A free evaluation is limited to 13 buses. The first commercial base-package license costs $11,000, paid once and includes one year of upgrades and support.
For and against
For
- Handles systems up to 250,000 buses
- Includes contingency analysis and batch processing
- Offers animated and contoured visualizations
- Optional add-ons extend analysis capabilities
- Free evaluation version is available
Against
- Windows only
- Evaluation limited to 13 buses
- First commercial license costs $11,000 once
- No free plan
The verdict
Simulator provides large-scale power-flow modeling, contingency analysis, visualization, and optional specialist add-ons. Its Windows-only platform and substantial commercial license should be considered before adoption.
Who it suits
It suits electric utilities, system operators, government agencies, developers, power marketers, consultants, and academic users needing high-voltage simulation on Windows.
Plans and prices
Simulator evaluation version
Evaluation and educational use only · maximum 13 buses · includes most add-ons
Read 9 Oct 2026 · powerworld.com
Simulator base package (first commercial license)
Commercial license · up to 250,000 buses
Read 9 Oct 2026 · powerworld.com
On the record
- Add-ons
- Optional add-ons include ATC, OPF, SCOPF, reserves optimization, SimAuto, transient stability, GIC, and integrated topology processing.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Analysis
- The base package includes contingency analysis with automatic batch processing, full power-flow or fast linearized analysis, and result views by contingency or impacted facility.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Simulator lists compatibility with industry-standard file formats and GIS support among its features.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Education
- Educational versions are available to university faculty, staff, and students for teaching and academic research by contacting the company.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The SimAuto add-on lets users extend Simulator functionality from an external program they write.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- PowerWorld says its customers include electric utilities, independent system operators, government agencies, generation and transmission developers, power marketers and traders, consultants, and academia.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License maintenance
- Commercial licenses include one year of upgrades and technical support, and the pricing page lists maintenance renewal at 28% of the corresponding license price at that time.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Platform support
- Simulator runs on 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 and newer; the vendor says no other operating systems are supported.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Simulator interactively simulates high-voltage power system operation over periods from several minutes to several days.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Scale
- The full software can solve power-flow systems of up to 250,000 buses.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The reviewed product, pricing, download, and company pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The company lists technical support by email and says license maintenance includes customer support, upgrades, and software patches.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Trial limit
- The free evaluation download is limited to 13 buses; a full-package evaluation may be offered case by case.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- Features include animated diagrams, automated diagram creation and modification, contoured displays, and a model explorer.powerworld.com · read 9 Oct 2026