SILENT

DIG
PowerFactory
I N T E G R AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M A N A LY S I S S O F T W A R E

DIgSILENT

PowerFactory

What´s New
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August 2013
r1013
 CONTENTS

Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2 Graphical User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2.1 Project Overview Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2.2 Redesign of Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2.3 Redesign of Dialogue Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2.4 User Profiles: Customizable Toolbars, Menus and Dialogue Boxes . . . . . . . . 2

2.5 Standard and Base Package User Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3 Network Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3.1 Geographic Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3.2 Colouring Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3.3 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4 Data Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4.1 Variations and Expansion Stages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4.2 External References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5 Database and License Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

5.1 Offline Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

5.2 Housekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

5.3 Selective DB Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

5.4 User Authentication on License Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

6 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.1 Calculation Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.2 Invalidation of Calculation Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.3 Flexible Data Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.4 Variable Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.5 Hot Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

7 Reliability Analysis Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

7.1 Reliability Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

7.1.1 Optimal Power Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

7.1.2 Unbalanced Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

7.1.3 Feeder Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New i

 CONTENTS

7.1.4 Reliability Indices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

7.1.5 Load Distribution States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

7.1.6 Tariffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

7.2 Optimal Power Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

7.2.1 Optimal Remote Control Switch (RCS) Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

8 Distribution Network Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

8.1 Tie Open Point Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

8.2 Voltage Profile Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

8.3 Backbone Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

9 Cable Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

9.1 Cable Reinforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

9.2 Automatic Cable Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

10 Techno-Economical Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

11 Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

11.1 Tabular Relay Settings Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

11.2 Relay Settings Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

11.3 Short Circuit Trace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

12 Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

13 Motor Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

14 Simulation Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

15 Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

15.1 Secondary Substation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

15.2 MV Load Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

15.3 Voltage Transformer Model Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

15.4 Static Generator Model Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

15.5 PLL Model Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

15.6 Asynchronous Motor Model Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

15.7 Series Capacitor Model Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

15.8 Cable Parameter Calculation Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

15.9 2- and 3-Winding Transformer Model Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

15.10 Station Controller Model Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

15.11 External Grid Model Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New ii

 CONTENTS

15.12 AC-Voltage Source Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

16 Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

17 PowerFactory Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New iii

 2 GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

1 Introduction

This document highlights some of the new key features and enhancements available in PowerFactory
15.0. Specific details of all enhancements, including examples, and associated Technical References
are available in the PowerFactory 15 manual.

2 Graphical User Interface

2.1 Project Overview Window

A new Project Overview Window will appear in the main application window which displays an overview
of the project allowing the user to assess the state of the project at a glance while also facilitating easy
interaction with the key project objects. It gives an overview of study cases, operational scenarios,
variations, grids, and triggers.

This improves the fact that in previous versions of PowerFactory it was often necessary to interrogate
the data manager to ascertain and influence the state of these key project objects. For large projects
in particular, this could be a little unwieldy and so the Project Overview Window has been introduced to
overcome these difficulties.

Figure 2.1, shows an example of the Project Overview Window.

Figure 2.1: Project Overview Window

2.2 Redesign of Main Menu

The Main Menu structure has been re-engineered and consolidated to facilitate the use of PowerFac-
tory . The new structure of the main menu is in close accordance with the toolbars. Additional main

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 1

2.3 Redesign of Dialogue Tabs 2 GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

menu entries have been made available, which were previously only accessible via toolbar icons. Most
notably, the new Main Menu item View collects functions of the Graphic Board. Also note that several
functions moved from the File menu to the new Insert menu.

2.3 Redesign of Dialogue Tabs

PowerFactory 15.0 introduces a completely new look and feel of the dialogue tabs.

Figure 2.2 represents the changes between PowerFactory 15.0 and the previous version. The original
tabs are now presented as a menu, and the original second page is now presented as a tab.

Figure 2.2: Redesign of Dialogue Tabs

2.4 User Profiles: Customizable Toolbars, Menus and Dialogue Boxes

PowerFactory 15.0 includes new functionality to customize the graphical user interface (GUI), including
the ability to:

• Fully configure Main Toolbar, Graphic Board Toolbar and Drawing Toolbar. This includes definition
of custom DPL Commands and Templates with user-defined icons.
• Customize the element dialogue pages that are displayed.

• Customize element dialogue parameters. Parameters can be Hidden (not shown) or Disabled
(shown but not edited).
• Customize Main Menu and context-sensitive menu commands.

Customization is done with user Profiles.

Profiles are created in the Configuration → Profiles folder by selecting the New Object icon and then
Others → Settings → Profile. An Administrator can create and customize profiles, and control User/User
Group selection of profiles from the Profile tab of each user group.

Profiles can be used to configure toolbars, menus, dialogue pages, and dialogue parameters.

Figure 2.3 illustrates aspects of the GUI that may be customized using Profiles.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 2

2.5 Standard and Base Package User Profiles 2 GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

Figure 2.3: Toolbars and Dialogue Boxes Customization

2.5 Standard and Base Package User Profiles

PowerFactory 15.0 already comes with two pre-defined profiles: “Base Package” and “Standard”, these
are selectable from the main menu under Tools → Profiles (See Figure 2.4).

Figure 2.4: User Profiles

Selecting the “Base Package” profile limits Main Menu entries and icons shown on the Main Toolbar
to those that are used with the Base Package of the software. The “Standard” profile includes the full
graphical user interface for all available PowerFactory functions. Figures 2.5a and 2.5b show the main
Toolbar for the Base Package and the Standard profile, respectively.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 3

 3 NETWORK GRAPHICS

(a) Base Package Profile

(b) Standard Profile

Figure 2.5: Standard and Base Package User Profiles

3 Network Graphics

3.1 Geographic Diagrams

PowerFactory 15.0 comes with a new Geographic Diagram concept. A Geographic Diagram can
be generated with a 1-click action via Main Menu Insert → Geographic Diagram, once GPS coordi-
nates of the network components are available (see Description tab of Branches/Lines and Substa-
tions/Terminals).

Geographic Diagrams support background maps of various common projection types. The graphical
symbol, e.g. the circle’s displayed size of a substation, is independent of the zoom level — an elegant
approach to ensure that graphics are easy to view as the user zooms in and out of the diagram. Besides,
it can be adjusted from which scale level texts and result boxes become visible.

For better identification of load/generation clusters, new special layers ”Load/Generation Distribution”
have been introduced that graphically represent the magnitude of network load and generation with
circles of proportional sizes.

An example of a Geographic Diagram is shown in Figure 3.1.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 4

3.2 Colouring Modes 3 NETWORK GRAPHICS

Figure 3.1: Geographic Diagram

3.2 Colouring Modes

Several new features are included for Single Line Diagram colouring modes:

• Support of Continuous Colouring modes. This colouring option interpolates displayed colours on
Single Line Diagram between predefined discrete colour tables, e.g. for Voltages/Loading.
• New colouring modes, including modes for Primary Equipment such as Year of Construction,
Cross Section, Forced Outage Rate/Duration, as well as topology information such as colourings
according to Supplying Substation or Supplying Transformer are available.
• Extension of the Voltages/Loading colouring mode to visualize Voltage Drop and Voltage Rise in
feeders of a distribution network are provided.
• New alarm colouring modes, such as Feeder Radiality Check: When a Feeder has been defined
as Feeder is supposed to be operated radially, an alarm colouring mode is available to indicate
whether or not the feeder is actually operated radially. If not, the Feeder (including the non-radial
path) will be highlighted on the single line diagram.

3.3 Miscellaneous

• In addition to the known Rectangular Selection of network elements in the single line graphic,
PowerFactory 15.0 introduces a new Free-Form Selection tool.
• Improved Automatic Drawing of Substations: If no diagram information is available for equipment
inside a substation, new algorithms are available to provide an optimized layout for an automati-
cally generated diagram.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 5

 4 DATA MANAGEMENT

4 Data Management

4.1 Variations and Expansion Stages

PowerFactory 15.0 introduces an ”Error Correction Mode” to facilitate recording of network data changes
in the relevant Expansion Stage, even though it may not be the Recording Expansion Stage.

Consider an example where a line of length 10 km is added in ”Expansion Stage 1”, and other changes,
to an independent section of the network, are made in ”Expansion Stage 2”. As determined by the
Study Time, both Expansion Stages are active, and ”Expansion Stage 2” is the recording stage. Now,
the user wishes to correct the length of the line added in ”Expansion Stage 1” from 10 km to 12 km.
Rather than modifying the Study Time, it is possible to make the change with ”Error Correction Mode”
enabled, and the change will be recorded to the expansion stage, in which the line was introduced, i.e.
to ”Expansion Stage 1”.

The ”Error Correction Mode” is accessible via the Project Overview Window, Network Variations, as
showed in Figure 4.1

Figure 4.1: Error Correction Mode

4.2 External References

PowerFactory 15.0 include a new option to Pack External References of a project. Using this function,
all external references of a project are resolved by copying the reference objects to a local folder called
”External”. In addition, the user may define locations which shall be omitted in checking for external
references.

This new function helps avoiding problems when sharing projects with third party users that may/should
not have access to, e.g., certain libraries.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 6

 5 DATABASE AND LICENSE SERVER

5 Database and License Server

5.1 Offline Mode

PowerFactory 15.0 provides the ability to work in Offline Mode when a network connection to the multi-
user database server and license server is unavailable. An illustration of the architecture for the Offline
Mode is depicted in Fig. 5.1.

The required project data is cached to the user’s local machine, which can then later be synchronized
to the server database. Offline Mode functionality includes the ability to lock and unlock projects, edit
projects, and limit the database size on the computer(s) working in offline mode.

Figure 5.1: Architecture for Offline Mode

5.2 Housekeeping

PowerFactory 15.0, for multi-user databases, offers the ability to execute some project administration
via a scheduled overnight housekeeping task. In this way project purging, emptying of user recycle
bins and deletion of old projects can be automatized. This can let users activate projects more quickly
and also speed up quitting PowerFactory . Moreover, housekeeping moves heavy data processing to
off-peak periods, offering better performance for normal daytime users.

5.3 Selective DB Migration

When upgrading to PowerFactory 15.0, it is necessary to migrate the PowerFactory database to the
new version. For very large databases this can take significant processing time. If the database contains
many projects that are no longer needed, PowerFactory 15.0 offers means to shorten the migration
time by migrating just the projects that the user wants to keep, according to selection criteria. Selective
Migration is only available for multi-user databases (e.g. Oracle, SQL Server).

5.4 User Authentication on License Server

The license server can now be configured to grant licenses only to a list of named PowerFactory users.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 7

 6 GENERAL

6 General

6.1 Calculation Modes

In PowerFactory 15.0 distinct calculation modes are better supported. In particular, PowerFactory
distinguishes any Load Flow based calculation method (such as Contingency Analysis, Sensitivity Anal-
ysis, Optimal Power Flow, etc.) which allows for improved predefined results in single line diagrams and
flexible data pages, as well as better adaption of colouring modes.

6.2 Invalidation of Calculation Results

Under User Settings, there is a new option for Invalidation of Calculation Results. The user can option-
ally select to Show last results. When selected, modifications to network data or switch status etc. will
not invalidate the calculation results. The results will instead be shown on the single line diagram and
on flexible data pages in grey until the user invalidates the results (e.g. by selecting Reset Calculation,
or conducting a new calculation).

6.3 Flexible Data Page

In PowerFactory 15.0, the user may customize the number format per column in the Flexible Data
Page. Also, the names of the headers for the individual columns are user-definable (refer to Chapter
”Data Manager” in the User’s Manual for more information about how to customize the Flexible Data
page).

6.4 Variable Selection

PowerFactory 15.0 introduces a completely new look and feel of Variable Set dialogue. An example
of the variable set object is shown in Figure 6.1. Here the variable set for a load (red circle) is shown.
PowerFactory 15.0 distinguishes more function types for better grouping of the calculation quantities
(see also Section 6.1). In this case an RMS simulation (green circle) is to be performed and the total
active and the reactive power flowing to the load are going to be monitored (blue circle). Moreover,
selection now can be made by ticking the boxes next to the variables, thus, the variable description texts
remain visible.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 8

6.5 Hot Keys 7 RELIABILITY ANALYSIS FUNCTIONS

Figure 6.1: Variable Selection

More information about the Variable Selection could be found in the User’s Manual, Chapters ”Study
Cases” and ”Reporting and Visualizing Results”.

6.5 Hot Keys

PowerFactory 15.0 includes new Hot Keys for Load Flow and Short-Circuit calculation, as well as for
reset calculation.

• Load Flow: Press F10 for a Load Flow calculation, and Crtl+F10 to edit the Load Flow options.
• Short-Circuit: Press F11 for a Short-Circuit calculation, and Crtl+F11 to edit the Short-Circuit
options.
• Reset Calculation: Press F12.

7 Reliability Analysis Functions

7.1 Reliability Assessment

The Reliability Assessment function has been largely improved in PowerFactory 15.0.

7.1.1 Optimal Power Restoration

The algorithms for Power Restoration in distribution networks have been further improved. Power
Restoration is now incorporating Tie Open Point Optimization methods to achieve an utmost level of
resupply. I.e., PowerFactory is automatically evaluating — as part of the Power Restoration strategy —
the benefits of any move of tie open points in any neighboring feeder.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 9

7.1 Reliability Assessment 7 RELIABILITY ANALYSIS FUNCTIONS

Figure 7.1: Example for Optimal Power Restoration strategy incorporating a reconfiguration of Tie Open
Points: The two pictures show the initial situation and the restored case, respectively, for a fault occuring
at the marked location in the green feeder.

7.1.2 Unbalanced Calculations

Reliability calculations now supports both, balanced and unbalanced network representations.

7.1.3 Feeder Constraints

In addition to Thermal Constraints and Voltage Constraints, the Reliability Assessment calculation pro-
vides an option to consider feeder Voltage Drop/Rise Constraints. This is particularly important in
distribution networks with high portions of generation, where bidiretional power flows may occur.

7.1.4 Reliability Indices

Reliability Indices can be calculated based on subscribed power.

7.1.5 Load Distribution States

In PowerFactory 15.0, a new Distribution Curve object has been introduce. Such an object may be
used to define the Load Distribution (for a year) measured at a given substation. Reliability Assessment
will automatically calculate its indices based on this distribution. This largely improves the accuracy of
the results compared to a worst-case scenario consideration.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 10

7.2 Optimal Power Restoration 7 RELIABILITY ANALYSIS FUNCTIONS

Figure 7.2: Example of a discretized load distribution curve

7.1.6 Tariffs

The addition of Time Tariffs and Energy Tariffs provide enhanced flexibility to define load interruption
costs for Reliability Assessment.

7.2 Optimal Power Restoration

In PowerFactory 15.0, a new module Optimal Power Restoration is available. The corresponding tool-
bar is depicted in Fig. 7.3.

Optimal Power Restoration studies can be conducted for single case to obtain a ”Recovery Scheme
Report” — even in the case where no failure data is available for the network components. This function
includes the feature to trace the stages of the restoration and view the impacts of the restoration on the
single line graphic. An optimal power restoration strategy can be quickly performed for a single case by
right-clicking a single element and selecting Calculate→Optimal Power Restoration.

Figure 7.3: Optimal Power Restoration toolbar with options for tracing and reporting.

7.2.1 Optimal Remote Control Switch (RCS) Placement

A new Optimal RCS Placement function is introduced which optimizes the RCS locations within feeders
to minimize Energy Not Served (ENS), balance ENS, or minimize Expected Interruption Costs (EIC).

The command allows to produce the results in a new variation for easy comparison of before-and-after
optimization results.

Remote controlled switches can nicely be visualized in the single line diagram with the aid of a corre-
sponding newly introduced graphic layer.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 11

 8 DISTRIBUTION NETWORK TOOLS

8 Distribution Network Tools

8.1 Tie Open Point Optimization

In PowerFactory 15.0, further improvements are provided for the Tie Open Point Optimization.

• Tie Open Point Optimization now supports both balanced and unbalanced network representa-
tions.
• New objective functions have been made available. Besides the classical ”Minimization of Losses”,
the user may now also chose to optimize the tie open points for a best-fit with regards to ”Mini-
mization of (certain) Reliability Indices”, such as SAIFI or ENS. Combined cost curves for costs of
losses and the costs of reliability impacts are also available.
• The user may select the switch types (circuit-breaker, disconnector, switch disconnector, load-
break-switch) and control types (remote controlled, indicator of of short circuit, manual) to be
considered by the Tie Open Point Optimization command.

8.2 Voltage Profile Optimization

PowerFactory 15.0 introduces a new Voltage Profile Optimization for Distritbution networks with poten-
tial bidirectional power flow due to embedded generation conditions.

The new Voltage Profile Optimization command calculates an optimization of distribution transformer tap
change positions with consideration to the range of expected load and generation conditions. Expected
voltage drop and voltage rise conditions in the LV grids are taken into account, allowing for a combined
study of MV and LV voltage profiles.

An improved voltage profile plot facilitates the visualization of results.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 12

8.3 Backbone Calculation 9 CABLE SIZING

Figure 8.1: Example of a Voltage Profile Optimization for bidirectional power flows: The voltage profile
plots simultaneously show load (blue curve) and generation (green curve) case studies including worst-
case voltage drops and rises at LV feeder ends.

8.3 Backbone Calculation

The new Backbone Calculation command facilitates the determination (and visualization) of the main
connections between meshed feeders. Various methods are available to determine backbones, ranging
from purely topological criteria, and cross-section analysis, to more sophisticated methods that score
quality of power restoration.

Besides, new backbone objects have been introduced with calculation quantities that give valuable
insight into the structure and potential power restoration of a distribution grid.

9 Cable Sizing

9.1 Cable Reinforcement

The Cable Reinforcement analysis has been further improved:

• The analysis can be performed on a network model without any cable types previously defined.
PowerFactory will assign types from the selected library, with consideration to the specified load-
ing and voltage drop constraints.
• The Cable Reinforcement method includes a function to report on the short-circuit loading of lines
and cables.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 13

9.2 Automatic Cable Sizing 10 TECHNO-ECONOMICAL CALCULATION

• A Cable Reinforcement analysis can be performed on unbalanced networks.

9.2 Automatic Cable Sizing

PowerFactory 15.0 provides a new functionality to perform Cable Sizing optimization in accordance
with various international standards.

The Cable Sizing command can be executed on a network model, balanced or unbalanced, with or
without any cable types previously defined. PowerFactory will assign types and calculate cable ratings
according to the selected international standard, such as

• IEC 60364-5-52
• BS 7671
• NF C15-100
• NF C13-200

Figure 9.1: Cable Sizing input dialogue of a cable

10 Techno-Economical Calculation

PowerFactory 15.0 introduces a new techno-economical calculation to perform an economic assess-

ment of network expansions through an analysis of:

• The cost of electrical losses.

• The economic impact of failure rates (reliability).
• Investment costs (including initial costs, initial value, scrap value, and expected life span).

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 14

 12 ARC-FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS

• Project timing.

The output of the Techno-Economical Calculation is the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project over the
selected period. The command can optionally reconfigure the network at each step of the calculation to
minimize losses (using the Tie Open Point Optimization command).

11 Protection

11.1 Tabular Relay Settings Reports

PowerFactory 15.0 introduces a completely new tabular reporting format which vastly improves the
protective device setting reporting capability of the software. With the previous approach ASCII reports
for protection settings were generated in the output window which were not able to deal with the struc-
ture of complex relay models. Furthermore the settings could not easily be exported to other software
environments like Microsoft Word or Excel. The new tabular report command (ComTablereport) over-
comes these problems by generating pre-configured tabular outputs customized to the protective device
class.

11.2 Relay Settings Input

It is now possible to enter reach settings for distance relay zones in terms of Primary Amperes or
Secondary Amperes. This functionality gives the user flexibility to configure distance relay models as
required by their particular application or according to the restrictions of the relay model.

11.3 Short Circuit Trace

The Short Circuit Trace is a tool based on the complete short circuit calculation method that allows the
user to examine the performance of a protection scheme in response to a fault or combination of faults;
where the response is examined in time steps and where at each time step, the switching outcomes of
the previous time step and the subsequent effect on the flow of fault current, is taken into consideration.

12 Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis

PowerFactory 15.0 introduces new tools to conduct Arc-Flash hazard assessments:

• Arc-Flash calculations can be conducted in accordance with IEEE-1584 2002 and NFPA 70E 2008
standards.
• Arc-Flash calculations can be performed using globally or individually specified circuit-breaker
tripping times, or protection clearing times based on actual protection settings. The calculation
takes into account the arc resistance when determining protection clearing times.

• Incident Energy and PPE requirements can be displayed on the Single Line Graphic.
• PowerFactory automates the preparation of Arc-Flash labels based on the calculation results. An
example label produced using the default template is shown in Figure 12.1.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 15

 14 SIMULATION SCAN

Figure 12.1: Example Arc-Flash Label

13 Motor Starting

In addition to dynamic motor starting simulations, PowerFactory 15.0 introduces the ability to perform
static motor starting simulations to assess motor voltages before, during, and after starting, and to
assess whether starting is successful.

14 Simulation Scan

PowerFactory 15.0 comes with new Simulation Scan modules to monitor network results and param-
eters during time-domain simulations. Multiple modules, monitoring the same or different quantities,
can be defined for a given simulation. If a defined limit is exceeded, an action to display an output
message or a “Stop Simulation” event can be triggered (likewise a trip generator in the case of the loss
of synchronism scan module). Limits that can be monitored are as follows:

• Frequency maximum and minimum limits.

• Synchronous machine loss of synchronism.
• User-selected parameter maximum and minimum limits.

• Voltage maximum limit and maximum voltage violation time, and minimum limit and minimum
voltage violation time.
• Voltage recovery and voltage recovery time.

Fig. 14.1 illustrates the smooth integration of the Simulation Scan functionality into the existing simula-
tion module.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 16

 15 MODELS

Figure 14.1: Simulation Scan objects monitoring simulation results with various trigger conditions.

15 Models

15.1 Secondary Substation

PowerFactory 15.0 includes a new Secondary Substation object. The application provides templates
( ) with a broad variety of predefined secondary substation configurations.

15.2 MV Load Model

PowerFactory 15.0 includes a new MV Load model, representing a distribution transformer together
with a reduced load/generation model.

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 17

15.3 Voltage Transformer Model Enhancements 15 MODELS

Figure 15.1: MV Load Model

15.3 Voltage Transformer Model Enhancements

In PowerFactory 15.0 the following new models are supported:

• Detailed VT Model:

Figure 15.2: Detailed VT Model

• Detailed CVT Model (Capacitive Voltage Transformer):

Figure 15.3: Detailed CVT Model

15.4 Static Generator Model Enhancements

The following enhancements are available in PowerFactory 15.0:

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 18

15.5 PLL Model Enhancements 15 MODELS

• New Single Phase and Single Phase-Neutral Model

• The 3-phase model can now be used as a Reference Machine (Slack) in load flow calculation
• Frequency-Dependence of r2, x2 and r0, x0 for harmonic calculation

15.5 PLL Model Enhancements

• New Single Phase and Single Phase-Neutral Model

• Support of blocking in under-voltage condition

15.6 Asynchronous Motor Model Enhancements

For Motor Starting the following enhancements are supported:

• Starting ”Reactor”
• Starting ”Auto Transformer”
• Support of ”speed” or ”time” trigger in Motor Starting methods

15.7 Series Capacitor Model Enhancements

For Spark Gap Model a built-in tripping unit is now supported including the following tripping criteria:

• Trip according to current or voltage

• For Metal Oxide Varistor: Trip according to current or MOV Energy/MOV Power

15.8 Cable Parameter Calculation Enhancements

• Cable definition can now be selected as type in the line

• Improvements for cross-bonded cables
• Improvements for reduction of insulation layers
• Coordinates of circuits in pipe are represented in polar coordinates (see Fig. 15.4)
• Material selection in accordance with IEC60287 (see Fig. 15.5)
• Support of segmental conductors
• Frequency characteristic for the definition of the AC resistance of the conductor

Figure 15.4: Polar Coordinates

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 19

15.9 2- and 3-Winding Transformer Model Improvements 15 MODELS

Figure 15.5: Material Selection

15.9 2- and 3-Winding Transformer Model Improvements

• Transformer measurement tables now include zero-sequence impedance data

• Additional input option ”Reactance and Resistance in p.u.” for transformer types

15.10 Station Controller Model Enhancements

PowerFactory 15.0 supports various additional control methods:

• Support of cosphi(P )-Characteristic

• Support of Q(V )-Characteristic
• Reactive Power Distribution according to Voltage Setpoint Adaption
• Now also supporting PWM Converters

15.11 External Grid Model Enhancements

For Harmonic Analysis the following model extensions are available:

• Support of SkV , psikV input parameter

• Support of Harmonic Voltage Table
• Support of IEC6100 Background Harmonics
• Frequency dependence for R1,L1,R0,L0,R2,L2

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 20

15.12 AC-Voltage Source Enhancements 17 POWERFACTORY EXAMPLES

15.12 AC-Voltage Source Enhancements

For Harmonic Analysis, Background Harmonics are supported according to IEC6100.

16 Documentation

The vastly revised User Manual is now presented in PDF format, which makes it easier to navigate and
to find specific topics in the document.

17 PowerFactory Examples

PowerFactory 15 includes a new window “PowerFactory Examples” which provides a list of application
examples of PowerFactory calculation functions. Every example comes with an explaining document
which can be opened by pressing the corresponding document button. Additional videos are available
for demonstrating the software handling and its functionalities.

Figure 17.1: PowerFactory Examples

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15, What’s New 21

DIgSILENT GmbH
Company Profile

sequences, provides quick access to relay

manuals, interfaces with manufacturer
specific relay settings and integrates with
PowerFactory software, allowing for powerful
and easy-to-use settings co-ordination studies.

PowerFactory Monitor is a flexible performance

recording and monitoring system that copes
easily and efficiently with the special require-
ments for system test implementation, system
DIgSILENT GmbH is a consulting and software DIgSILENT PowerFactory performance supervision and the determination
company providing engineering services in DIgSILENT develops the leading integrated and supervision of connection characteristics.
the field of electrical power systems for power system analysis software PowerFactory, Numerous Monitoring Systems installed at
transmission, distribution, generation and which covers the full range of functionality various grid locations can be integrated to a
industrial plants. from standard features to highly sophisticated Wide-Area-Measurement-System (WAMS).
and advanced applications including wind PowerFactory Monitor fully integrates with
DIgSILENT GmbH was founded in 1985 and power, distributed generation, real-time PowerFactory software.
is a fully independent, privately owned simulation and performance monitoring for
company located in Gomarigen/Tübingen, system testing and supervision. For wind DIgSILENT Consulting
Germany. DIgSILENT continued expansion power applications, PowerFactory has DIgSILENT GmbH is staffed with experts of
by establishing offices in Australia, South become the power industry’s de-facto standard various disciplines relevant for performing
Africa, Italy, Chile, Spain and France, thereby tool, due to PowerFactory models and consulting services, research activities, user
facilitating improved service following the algorithms providing unrivalled accuracy and training, educational programs and software
world-wide increase in usage of its software performance. development. Highly specialised expertise is
products and services. DIgSILENT has available in many fields of electrical engi-
established a strong partner network in DIgSILENT StationWare is a reliable central neering applicable to liberalised power mar-
many countries such as Mexico, Malaysia, protection settings database and management kets and to the latest developments in power
UK, Switzerland, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, system, based on latest .NET technology. generation technologies such as wind power
China and India. DIgSILENT services and StationWare stores and records all settings and distributed generation. DIgSILENT has
software installations have been conducted in a central database, allows modelling of provided expert consulting services to several
in more than 110 countries. relevant workflow prominent wind-grid integration studies.

SILENT
DIG

DIgSILENT GmbH 72810 Gomaringen T +49 7072 9168-0 [email protected]

Heinrich-Hertz-Straße 9 Germany F +49 7072 9168-88 www.digsilent.de
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