ETAP PS vs. SimScale

ETAP is highly recommended for evaluating static conditions in electrical power systems, whether in high or medium complexity networks. For example, study of load flow, analysis of frequency harmonics.

On the other hand, I would not recommend ETAP for the simulation of highly complex control systems that require a dynamic analysis of the variables.

For a small company, SimScale is a great fit. It allows me to gain the use and support of higher-end software analysis on demand without the traditional high cost. This is super convenient for a company that does occasional design and analysis. Since the computing is cloud-based it also allows me to process large and detailed models without the high hardware cost that can be required. One potential drawback is that the design information is stored on someone else's server. For some industries and companies this would be a deal-breaker.

Incentivized

• Excellent facility for the design of electrical systems, since it has multiple options and configuration.
• Truly intuitive, it is easy to adapt to the user interface, so the learning curve is very fast.
• It offers a wide variety of electrical studies that can be carried out, therefore it is very versatile for multiple applications.

• Material non-linear analysis.
• Geometric non-linear analysis.
• Meshing.

Incentivized

• Perhaps the interface is somewhat confusing the first time you use the program.
• It offers a wide configuration, which can be overwhelming.
• Sometimes the program can freeze depending on the size of the electrical grid that is being simulated. This also depends on the software requirements.

• Learning from tutorials is great, but limiting. The online help is a must.
• Some simulations take a lot of time, but at least it's not on your PC.
• Sometimes the software times out due to the server.

Incentivized

I had a great experience with SimScale but we only used the software for a short period of time to complete the current design requirements. It is not a software that we would continually subscribe to. Next subscription event would occur when there is a design requirement to do so.

Incentivized

ETAP PS is really easy to use. When recreating the power system to be simulated, it is easy to obtain a result close to reality due to the multiple components offered in the interface. As for the electrical studies available, they are simple to execute and require really little configuration to make them work, always offering a wide variety of options to adjust the program to the simulation of the desired condition.

Sometimes when the program crashes for a random reason, it is difficult to find a direct solution to the problem. I think better documentation is needed for this type of case. Still, more and more people are sharing their work on the web, making it easier to orient yourself when these issues occur.

Simulink allows to analyze and simulate different variables with respect to time in an electric power system, but it is more focused on visual programming On the other hand, ETAP is better designed for static simulation of power systems, offering options and studies in a very more direct and easier to execute.

SimScale is much faster to spin up on than OpenFOAM. Ansys CFD tools are much more expensive! Both tools require expensive computing equipment to run, which SimScale does not!

Incentivized

• Improves the reliability of the electrical system.
• Study of the system operations, allowing a better adjustment of the facilities that are in production.
• Provides results that allow you to select solutions for energy saving.

• It has allowed us to increase our service offering which has lead to additional work.

Incentivized