Innovation in Global Power - Parsons Brinckerhoff

Distributing Power to Users
http://www.pbworld.com/news_events/publications/network/
Commercially Available Software
We were interested in learning about the usage of
commercially available power system analysis packages
we were aware of for distribution network planning.
These and the related Web sites are as follows:
• DINIS (Distribution Network Information System) by ICL:
http://www.dinis.com/
• Interactive Power Systems Analysis (IPSA) by TNEI:
http://www.ipsa-power.com/
• CYMDIST (CYME International Inc., USA-Canada:
http://www.cyme.com/
• ERACS (ERA Technology Ltd, UK):
http://www.era.co.uk/Services/eracs.asp
• Power Factory (DIgSILENT GmbH, Germany):
http://www.digsilent.de/
• SynerGEE Electric: http://www.advantica.biz/default.aspx?page=323
• SINCAL (Siemens, USA):
http://www.siemens.com/power-technologies/software
• DPLAN Distribution Planning
• ETAP Power Station (Operation Technologies
Inc, USA): http://www.etap.com/
• NEPLAN (BCP, Switzerland):
http://www.neplan.ch/
An assessment of the technical features of
each software is not presented in this article;
however, readers seeking more information
may contact the authors.
Conclusions
Fifteen DNOs in Europe, Africa, Middle East,
New Zealand and Australia responded to
the survey. We had no response from USA.
We noted details of the various distribution
network structures, including voltage levels
and network design, and took them into
consideration when reviewing the results.
The main conclusions reached are as follows:
1. In the UK, for example, the majority of
DNOs use one or more of PSS/E, IPSA
and DINIS, although more products are
starting to be used as the international
market in system analysis software develops.
IPSA was developed in the UK by
UMIST (now part of the University of
Manchester) with contributions from
several of the UK DNOs.
2. Many of the DNOs outside of the UK
use SINCAL.
3. The majority of the respondents use the same software
for 11 kV and 33 kV distribution networks.
4. Many of the DNOs do not use any software package for
their low voltage planning studies. Those who do use
either DINIS, CYMDIST or WinDebut.
5. For power quality studies, the DNOs either use the same
software packages for load flow and fault level calculations,
are not doing these studies, or currently outsource
these studies.
6. Many of the DNOs have a GIS system, but only one
imports network data from it.
The summary of responses to a question regarding what
software packages are used for several 33 kV planning
studies is shown in Table 1.
It is expected that those software packages that incorporate
the modeling of embedded generation with comprehensive
analytical features, reasonable cost, adequate customer
support and ease of use will become prime analytical tools
that can be considered suitable for the distribution networks
of the future.
Table 1: Consolidation of Responses to Question 1(a): What software package
(including version) do you use for the following 33 kV planning studies?
PB Network #68 / August 2008 76