What it is
PowerWorld Simulator models high-voltage power system operation interactively over periods ranging from several minutes to several days. The full software can solve power-flow systems with up to 250,000 buses. Its visualization tools include animated diagrams, automated diagram creation and modification, contoured displays, and a model explorer. The base package includes contingency analysis with automatic batch processing, full power-flow or fast linearized analysis, and result views organized by contingency or impacted facility. Optional add-ons cover functions such as ATC, OPF, SCOPF, reserves optimization, SimAuto, transient stability, GIC, and integrated topology processing. SimAuto lets users extend Simulator through an external program they write. The product also lists industry-standard file-format compatibility and GIS support. It runs on 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 and newer; no other operating systems are supported. A free evaluation version is limited to 13 buses, while a first commercial base-package license costs 11000.00 USD once.
Who it suits. Simulator suits electric utilities, system operators, government agencies, developers, power marketers, consultants, and academic users working with power systems. Its stated uses include power-flow and contingency analysis.
Good
- Full software handles systems up to 250,000 buses.
- Base package includes contingency analysis.
- Provides animated and contoured diagrams.
- SimAuto can extend functionality from external programs.
- Free evaluation version includes most add-ons.
Watch for
- Free evaluation is limited to 13 buses.
- No operating systems other than Windows are supported.
- First commercial base license costs 11000.00 USD once.
Verdict
PowerWorld Simulator covers interactive power-system simulation and analysis, with a free evaluation capped at 13 buses. The first commercial base-package license costs 11000.00 USD once and includes one year of upgrades and support.
Plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Billed |
|---|---|---|
| Simulator evaluation version | $0 | — |
| Simulator base package (first commercial license) | $11,000 once | US$11,000; includes one year of upgrades and support |
From PowerWorld Simulator's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026. Every plan
What the maker publishes
- Add-ons
- Optional add-ons include ATC, OPF, SCOPF, reserves optimization, SimAuto, transient stability, GIC, and integrated topology processing. source
- 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. source
- Compatibility
- Simulator lists compatibility with industry-standard file formats and GIS support among its features. source
- Education
- Educational versions are available to university faculty, staff, and students for teaching and academic research by contacting the company. source
- Founded
- 1996 source
- Headquarters
- Champaign, Illinois, United States source
- Integrations
- The SimAuto add-on lets users extend Simulator functionality from an external program they write. source
- 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. source
- 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. source
- Platform support
- Simulator runs on 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 and newer; the vendor says no other operating systems are supported. source
- Purpose
- Simulator interactively simulates high-voltage power system operation over periods from several minutes to several days. source
- Scale
- The full software can solve power-flow systems of up to 250,000 buses. source
- Security and compliance
- The reviewed product, pricing, download, and company pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims. source
- Support
- The company lists technical support by email and says license maintenance includes customer support, upgrades, and software patches. source
- Trial limit
- The free evaluation download is limited to 13 buses; a full-package evaluation may be offered case by case. source
- Visualization
- Features include animated diagrams, automated diagram creation and modification, contoured displays, and a model explorer. source