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PowerWorld Simulator
What PowerWorld Simulator is
PowerWorld Simulator interactively models the operation of high-voltage power systems over periods from minutes to days. Its full software can solve power-flow systems with as many as 250,000 buses. The base package includes contingency analysis with automatic batch processing, full power-flow or fast linearized analysis, and results organized by contingency or impacted facility. For viewing and editing models, it offers animated diagrams, automated diagram creation and modification, contoured displays, and a model explorer. Listed compatibility includes industry-standard file formats and GIS support. Optional add-ons cover ATC, OPF, SCOPF, reserves optimization, SimAuto, transient stability, GIC, and integrated topology processing; SimAuto lets users extend the software from an external program they write. Simulator runs on 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 and newer, with no other operating systems supported. The free evaluation download is capped at 13 buses, while a full-package evaluation may be offered case by case. A first commercial base-package license costs 11000.00 USD once and includes one year of upgrades and technical support.
Who it suits
It is for power-system professionals and organizations such as utilities, system operators, government agencies, developers, consultants, traders, and academic users. University faculty, staff, and students can request educational versions for teaching and academic research.
What it does well
- Full software handles systems up to 250,000 buses
- Base package includes contingency analysis and result views
- Animated diagrams and a model explorer support visualization
- Optional add-ons cover transient stability and other analyses
- Commercial license includes one year of upgrades and support
What to know first
- Runs only on supported 64-bit Windows versions
- Free evaluation is limited to 13 buses
- First commercial base-package license costs 11000.00 USD once
Limits
The free evaluation version is limited to 13 buses and is for evaluation and educational use. The first commercial base package supports up to 250,000 buses and includes one year of upgrades and support; maintenance renewal is listed at 28% of the corresponding license price at that time.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Simulator evaluation version | Evaluation and educational use only · maximum 13 buses · includes most add-ons | Free |
| Simulator base package (first commercial license) | US$11,000; includes one year of upgrades and support · Commercial license · up to 250,000 buses | $11,000, paid once |
As powerworld.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the PowerWorld Simulator website.
- Download the free evaluation version for up to 13 buses.
- Use a supported 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 or newer system.
- Contact the company about a commercial license or university educational version.
Verdict
PowerWorld Simulator combines large-scale power-flow analysis with model visualization and contingency tools. The evaluation is limited to 13 buses, and the first commercial base-package license is 11000.00 USD once.
Questions
How much does PowerWorld Simulator cost?
The first commercial base-package license costs 11000.00 USD once. Its pricing page lists maintenance renewal at 28% of the corresponding license price at that time.
Is there a free version or trial?
There is no free plan, but a free evaluation version is available. It is limited to 13 buses.
Which platforms does Simulator support?
It runs on 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 and newer. The vendor says no other operating systems are supported.
What does the base package include?
It includes contingency analysis with automatic batch processing, full power-flow or fast linearized analysis, and result views by contingency or impacted facility.
Can Simulator be extended or integrated with other tools?
Optional add-ons include SimAuto, which lets users extend Simulator functionality from an external program they write. The product also lists industry-standard file-format compatibility and GIS support.
Are educational versions available?
Educational versions are available to university faculty, staff, and students for teaching and academic research by contacting the company.
Facts from PowerWorld Simulator's own pages
- Add-ons
- Optional add-ons include ATC, OPF, SCOPF, reserves optimization, SimAuto, transient stability, GIC, and integrated topology processing. · powerworld.com, 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, 9 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Simulator lists compatibility with industry-standard file formats and GIS support among its features. · powerworld.com, 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, 9 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1996 · powerworld.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Champaign, Illinois, United States · powerworld.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The SimAuto add-on lets users extend Simulator functionality from an external program they write. · powerworld.com, 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, 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, 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, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Simulator interactively simulates high-voltage power system operation over periods from several minutes to several days. · powerworld.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Scale
- The full software can solve power-flow systems of up to 250,000 buses. · powerworld.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The reviewed product, pricing, download, and company pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims. · powerworld.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The company lists technical support by email and says license maintenance includes customer support, upgrades, and software patches. · powerworld.com, 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, 9 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- Features include animated diagrams, automated diagram creation and modification, contoured displays, and a model explorer. · powerworld.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where PowerWorld Simulator stands on Freedom251
- Electrical Design Software#28 of 41