Software Resources
Power System Analysis Software
The following power system analysis software resources are available for use by students and faculty through license agreements between the software vendors and CUEPRA and/or Clemson University.
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PSS-E |
| Vendor/Author | Siemens Power Technology International (Siemens PTI), Schenectady, NY |
| Program Type | Power flow, dynamic simulation, optimal power flow, PV & QV analysis, contingency analysis. |
| Description | PSS/E is designed as a software suite that can handle simulation and calculation activities required for power systems. These include power flow calculation, dynamic time-domain simulation, optimal power flow (OPF) and security constrained power flow (SCOPF), Power-Voltage (PV) curves and Reactive Power-Voltage (QV) curves, as well as contingency analysis. The dynamic time-domain simulation is dependent on the types of dynamic models and applied disturbances the users input for the program. Dynamic models can range from the simplest machine models to nonlinear transfer functions, and built-in models are available for machines, loads, network components, generation control equipment, prime-mover governors, and relays. User-defined models can also be written using Python and C/C++. Program batch automation and auxiliary programs for data export are available and based on the Python and C/C++ programming language. Linking models to MATLAB-based models is also available. Mostly used in large area, high-voltage system simulations. Requires user familiarity with the backgrounds of power system component's dynamic modeling and setting up the time-domain solutions. The program requires the user to input balanced network parameters for power flow and system model dynamic data in separate files. |
| Vendor Website | http://www.pti-us.com/pti/software/psse/user_support.cfm (User Support Area) |
| CUEPRA Access | Education license, does not include OPF/SCOPF |
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PowerWorld |
| Vendor/Author | Power World Corporation, Champaign, IL |
| Program Type | Power Flow, Economic Generation Dispatch, PV & QV Analysis, Optimal Power Flow, Synchrophasor Visualization |
| Description | PowerWorld is a program that is designed for easy use and simple visualization and display. The program primarily focuses on power flow, dispatch problems and economic operations. This program is easier to input than the other programs listed here, and the graphical interface makes it fairly easy to interpret the results. However, the simulation displays results for steady-state operating conditions and not time-domain dynamic simulations. |
| Vendor Website | http://www.powerworld.com/ |
| CUEPRA Access | Educational license, does not include OPF and Synchrophasor Visualization. Free Downloaded version includes all features, but with limited system size. |
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PSCAD |
| Vendor/Author | Manitoba HVDC Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Program Type | Dynamic Time-Domain Simulation, Electromagnetic Time Domain Transient Simulation |
| Description | PSCAD is a time-domain transient analysis program that allows for the user to run a variety of equipment in their power system model and see especially how the power quality, transients and system harmonics will be affected. The program is mostly used for distribution level (medium and low voltage) modeling, but can also handle high-voltage transmission models. Also includes user-written models logic & control signal blocks and power electronics modules. The graphical interface of the program is similar to Simulink and CAD software and is geared towards studying the transient properties of the power system. The user is required to understand the types of models being used and how to obtain the input data in more detail than the other programs. |
| Vendor Website | http://www.pscad.com/ |
| CUEPRA Access | Educational License |
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Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) and RSCAD |
| Vendor/Author | Manitoba HVDC Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Program Type | Real-Time Dynamic Time-Domain Simulation, Electromagnetic Time Domain Transient Simulation |
| Description | RTDS and its interface program RSCAD comprise a real-time simulator for power systems that allows simulation results to be sent via scaled analog outputs. This in turn allows real-time testing of protection equipment and measurements of power systems models. The graphical interface of the program is similar to PSCAD software and is geared towards studying the transient properties of the power system. The user is required to understand the types of models being used and how to obtain the input data in more detail than the other programs. |
| Vendor Website | http://www.rtds.com |
| CUEPRA Access | Educational license. RTDS cabinet with 56 real-time analog output nodes. |
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ETAP |
| Vendor/Author | Operation Technology, Inc., Irvine, CA |
| Program Type | Network Simulation, Power Quality, Dynamic Simulations, Power Flow, and Power System Protection |
| Description | ETAP is a power system simulation software suite that contains a group of sub-programs that handle a variety of power system analysis. The analysis types include balanced and unbalanced load flow analysis, short circuit analysis, arc flash analysis, real-time simulation, distribution system design, grounding, protection scheme simulations, and others. The software is used mostly by engineers at the facility design and control levels, and includes energy management modules and substation automation. |
| Vendor Website | http://www.etap.com |
| CUEPRA Access | Multiple user license. |
