DSATools™ Online & Offline Applications
Technical Capabilities for Real-Time Monitoring and Study-Mode Simulations
DSATools™ offers dual-mode functionality—real-time dynamic security assessment (DSA) for grid operations and detailed offline simulations for power system planning. Backed by decades of field-tested deployment, this architecture supports utilities in both fast-response control environments and long-range system evaluations.
Deep Dive: What Happens in Each Mode
DSATools™ Online DSA Capabilities
- Integrates directly with Energy Management Systems (EMS)
- Runs continuous analysis cycles to assess current operating conditions
- Delivers operator alerts, security boundary visualization, and remedial actions
- Supports market operations, equipment scheduling, and real-time model validation
DSATools™ Offline Applications
- Run long-horizon planning and scenario analysis
- Perform contingency and stability limit studies under varying load and generation conditions
- Use scenario-based studies to compare alternate system designs
- Test new controls, renewable penetration levels, or protection schemes
What Makes DSATools™ Unique in Both Modes
Automated 1D and 2D stability boundary searches
Compatibility with up to 150,000 buses and 12,000 generators
Graphical user interface for intuitive control and analysis
Python scripting and third-party data format support
Modular design supporting tools like TSAT, VSAT, SSAT, OPF-RA, and Contingency Creator
Distributed computation for high-speed performance
Need a System Tailored to Your Environment?
We support:
- Single-user and multi-user licenses
- On-premises or EMS-integrated deployments
- Enterprise packages with advanced custom support
Ready to optimize your real-time operations or expand your planning capabilities?
DSATools™ supports the full lifecycle of power system analysis, from real-time operations to long-term planning.
Online Use Cases Include:
- Real-time grid security assessment
- Post-event incident analysis and system restoration
- Operator training with live model environments
- PMU/WAMS-based analytics
- Control room situational awareness
Offline Use Cases Include:
- NERC compliance and regulatory studies
- Renewable and IPP integration assessments
- Transient and voltage stability margin studies
- Grid reinforcement and expansion planning
- Validation and tuning of protection systems and controls
- Comprehensive grid stability analysis: voltage, transient, oscillatory
- Automated 1D/2D security limit searches
- User-friendly GUI and single-line diagram support
- Support for power systems with up to 100,000 buses and 8,000 generators
- Scenario-based analysis and case comparison
- Python scripting for automation and workflow customization
- CIM-based model import and user-defined modeling
- Fast solution engines for power flow, dynamic, and eigenvalue studies
- Modular add-ons for harmonics, SSR, optimal power flow, and more
DSATools™ includes both real-time (online) and offline (study-mode) operation:
- Online DSA: Continuous assessment via EMS, alerts, visualizations, remedial recommendations
- Offline DSA: Simulation of user-defined scenarios with full model customization and batch processing
- Modular Integration: TSAT, VSAT, SSAT, and DSA Manager work together to address a full spectrum of operating conditions
- Voltage stability assessment (VSAT)
- Transient security analysis (TSAT)
- Small-signal oscillatory analysis (SSAT)
- Real-time dynamic security screening (DSA Manager)
- Integrated with EMS/SCADA systems for online applications
- High-speed distributed computing for performance optimization
- Centralized control through DSA Manager
- ST DSA Manager enables study-mode within online DSA environments
- Add-on modules expand capability for specialized use cases
- Multi-node support and automated analysis engines
- Common Information Model (CIM) import supported
- Flexible model-building tools including User-Defined Model Editor
- Rich built-in model libraries for loads, renewables, FACTS, relays, HVDC, and more
- Optional support for MATLAB (CDT), Python scripting
- Compatible with third-party formats for seamless model sharing
- Custom visualizations of security boundaries and contingency impacts
- Real-time and post-event visual outputs
- Data export for external review or archival
- Summary tables, trace diagrams, and damping ratio visuals
- Case comparison tools and automatic documentation
DSATools™ offline applications allow for high-fidelity planning simulations using live or imported datasets:
- Evaluate what-if scenarios
- Test system designs and reinforcement strategies
- Tune dynamic control elements before deployment
- Use historical events for model validation
- Automate multi-scenario batch runs for planning reports
- Softkey protection for all modules
- Consistent UI/UX across all tools
- High-accuracy algorithms validated by global utilities
- Adaptable for both enterprise and educational use
- Supports online and offline deployment across hybrid environments
Powertech offers multiple license models for flexible deployment:
- Single-user license
- Multi-user network license
- Online-integrated (EMS-connected) license
- Enterprise-wide license for utilities or ISO/TSOs
- Educational license for academic institutions
- Leasing options available for short-term projects
The DSATools™ Educational Suite provides full-featured access to all core modules—at discounted rates for universities and research institutions. It supports:
- Hands-on learning with commercial-grade tools
- Coursework and laboratory integration
- Research applications and thesis work
- Optional add-ons: Harmonics, ePMU, CDT, SSR
Learn More About Academic Licenses
"DSATools™ reflects decades of experience, development, and utility-driven feedback—our goal is to make power system assessment accurate, efficient, and actionable."
Jeff Bloemink
Division Manager, Software Technologies
Continue Your Journey
Want to see how DSATools™ is supported, extended, and applied? Explore our full engineering services or sign up for hands-on training.
Jeff Bloemink
Division Manager, Software Technologies
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