NEPLAN is an efficient and effective solution for planning utility and industrial grids
Designed with a client-server architecture and cloud capability, NEPLAN can be used on premise (NEPLAN V10) or in the cloud as SaaS (NEPLAN 360). Thanks to its modular license model and flexible user management, NEPLAN empowers teams collaboration across:
- Multiple users | access rights per user group, user account, or individual projects and libraries.
- Network types | electricity, gas, water, and heating/cooling grids.
- Calculation modules | load-flow analysis, short-circuit analysis, assessment of connection requests, hosting-capacity analysis, system protection, dnamic analsis, optimum power flow etc.
Moreover NEPLAN provides numerous interfaces for data integration and workflow automation:
- Data interfaces | exchange of data via ESRI-SHP/shapefile, CIM-CGMES, UCTE-DEF etc.
- Programming interfaces| automation via scripting and webservices (REST & SOAP).
NEPLAN users benefit from the clean and appealing design of the graphical user interface, which they can tailor to their needs (e.g., show more/less content for experienced/occasional users). If further information is required, they can access the integrated user manual from every dialog.
Reach your target (grid) with NEPLAN – swiftly & reliably.
Benefits at a Glance
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User friendliness The user interface has a clean and appealing design and can be configured per user. The integrated user manual can be accessed from every dialog.
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Extensive functionality NEPLAN offers extensive functionality for electricity, gas, water and heating/cooling networks – calculation methods, interfaces, and tools.
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Modularity & flexibility NEPLAN is modular and flexible w.r.t. licences – functionalities and number of users can be adapted to the needs of the customer at any time.
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Ubiquitous availability NEPLAN is a client-server software and can be used on-premise (NEPLAN V10) or in the cloud as SaaS (NEPLAN 360) - anywhere & anytime.
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Continuous development NEPLAN is continuously improved and extended based on customer requests and market requirements. Software releases are published every half of the year, software patches every month.
Features
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Editor - graphical user interface NEPLAN has been designed to create, edit, simulate, and analyse network models. Network models are stored as projects, which contain all associated diagrams, parameters, results, etc. Diagrams are schematic or geographic – the latter allow the use of map servers and can be structured into graphic layers. Elements are placed in a diagram through drag & drop and configured using element and symbol libraries. Various tools, such as areas and zones, operational states, planning scenarios, or master/branch projects, allow to further refine the network model. Results obtained from calculations can be visualised via element labels, diagram colouring, charts & graphs, and heatmaps or summarized in tables.
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Data Interfaces NEPLAN offers numerous interfaces for importing, exporting, and updating network models, as well as other types of data. Among others, the following data exchange formats are supported: ESRI-SHP/shapefile and KML/KMZ for geographic data, CIM-CGMES and UCTE-DEF for network models, XLSX/Excel and CSV/DLM for tabular data (e.g., parameters and results) as well as proprietary XML for network data, operational data, measurement data, etc.
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Calculation modules NEPLAN provides numerous calculation modules for different use cases. The list of calculation modules includes, but is not limited to, the ones mentioned in the following. For electricity networks: load-flow analysis (symmetrical & asymmetrical), load-flow time simulation (quasi-steady-state), short-circuit analysis (symmetrical & asymmetrical), assessment and management of connection requests (according to the DACH norm and other methods), hosting-capacity analysis (probabilistic simulation for PV, e-mobility, heat pumps, etc.), load-flow time simulation (quasi-steady-state), overcurrent protection/selectivity analysis, distance protection, optimal power flow (single- or multi-period, security-constrained). For pipe networks (gas, water, and heating/cooling): pipe network analysis (hydraulic for gas and water, thermo-hydraulic for heating/cooling), longitudinal profiles, firewater plan (water only), time simulation (quasi-steady-state), gas property tracking (quasi-steady-state, gas only).
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Editor - Tools The base functionality of NEPLAN includes several generic tools for network analysis and planning, which can be used for all types of networks. Structuring into areas and zones allows one to display, simulate, and analyse only selected parts of it. Different operating conditions w.r.t. load/generation and topology are defined as operational states in a project. The desired operational state to be used for simulation is selected from a list. Time-series simulations can be conducted using actual measurement data or standard profiles from a library (electricity: VDEW profiles, gas & heating/cooling: SigLinDe profiles). Variants w.r.t. the development of a network are created as planning scenarios in a project. An inheritance mechanism ensures that modifications are passed down from parent to child scenarios. Cooperative work, such as short-, medium-, and long-term planning, is facilitated by master/branch projects. Such projects can be matched and updated via an automatic mechanism.
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Programming interfaces NEPLAN provides application programming interfaces for automating workflows via scripting directly in the graphical user interface or via webservices (REST & SOAP) from external applications.
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User management In NEPLAN, one can create user accounts (= logins) and user groups. Administrators can set the access rights (reading and/or writing) to projects, libraries, etc. per user account or group. The user management is part of the base functionality of NEPLAN. An optional extension for authentication and authorization via SSO or LDAP is available.
Modules/ Application Areas
Application Areas
NEPLAN is suitable for all types of grids – irrespective of medium (electricity, gas, water, or heating/cooling), of size /number of elements/nodes) nor of voltage/pressure level (transmission, distribution, transport, or industrial).
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Transmission system operators - electrical grids
NEPLAN is used by transmission system operators for the operating and planning of their own network as well as collaboration with each other.
For these purposes, the following functionalities are typically used by electricity TSOs:
CIM CGMES import/export • UCTE DEF import/export • Load-flow analysis • Contingency analysis (N-1) • Sensitivity analysis • Network transfer capacity • Voltage stability • Short-circuit analysis • Distance protection • Optimal power flow • Dynamic analysis • Small signal stability • Network reduction • Process definition via webservices (e.g. online data exchange and calculations).
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Transportation system operators - gas grids
Transportation system operators use NEPLAN for operating and planning their own network as well as collaborating with each other.
For these purposes, gas TSOs typically use the following functionalities:
GIS import/export via ESRI-SHP/shapefile • Hydraulic pipe network analysis • Length profiles • Contingency analysis (N-1/N-k)
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Distribution system operators for electrical grids
NEPLAN supports distribution system operators in operating their existing network and planning their target network.
For these purposes, the following functionalities are typically used by DSOs of electricity utilities:
GIS import via ESRI-SHP/shapefile • Load-flow analysis • Load-flow time simulation • Short-circuit analysis • Overcurrent protection/selectivity analysis • connection request assessment & management • Hosting-capacity analyses (DERs, EVs etc.)
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Distribution System Operators for pipeline grids
NEPLAN supports Distribution System Operators in operating their existing network and planning their target network.
The following functionalities are typically used by DSOs of gas, water, heating/cooling (GWH) utilities:
GIS import via ESRI-SHP/shapefile • Hydraulic pipe network analysis • Thermo-hydraulic pipe network analysis (heating/cooling) • Length profiles • Firewater plan (water).
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Industry
NEPLAN is also employed for planning industrial networks.
For this purpose, the following functionalities are typically used:
Load-flow analysis • Short-circuit analysis • Overcurrent protection/selectivity analysis • Cable sizing • Motor-starting analysis • Harmonic analysis.
Typical Users
Network planners/ engineers
Network planners/engineers take care of the operation, maintenance, and planning of their own networks. In order to manage their day-to-day business, they require software which is easy to use, available from any place and at any time, and provides precisely the functionality they need.
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User friendliness
NEPLAN comes with a clean and appealing graphical user interface and an extensive integrated user manual.
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Ubiquitous availability
NEPLAN can be used on-premise (NEPLAN V10) or in the cloud as SaaS (NEPLAN 360) – anywhere & anytime.
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Modularity & flexibility
NEPLAN is modular and flexible w.r.t. licensing. The functionality and number of users can be adapted to the current needs of the customer at any time.
FAQ
Which licensing models are available for NEPLAN?
The licensing model for the on-premise solution NEPLAN V10 consists of purchase and maintenance. The purchase price is based on the volume of the licence (i.e., modules and number of users), and includes the 1st year of maintenance. After the 1st year, a maintenance contract can be closed (optional), which includes software updates and remote software support (i.e., per e-mail and telephone).
The licensing model for the cloud solution NEPLAN 360 is subscription-based. The subscription can be prolonged annually. The maintenance, which covers software updates and remote software support (as for NEPLAN V10), is included in the subscription fee.
How do the maintenance and development of NEPLAN work?
NEPLAN is developed following an agile framework. The software is continuously improved and extended based on customer requests and market requirements.
Software updates are released on a monthly basis. Software releases containing major improvements and new developments are published every half a year. Software patches containing minor improvements and new developments are published monthly between software releases.
Customers with a valid maintenance contract for the on-premise solution NEPLAN V10 can download the latest version from a support area and install/update their software. Customers with a valid subscription for the cloud solution NEPLAN 360 receive automatic updates within the scope of the SaaS, thereby minimising the IT work on their side.
How is the support for NEPLAN organized?
Support is provided remotely (i.e., per e-mail or telephone). Support requests are registered and treated via a ticketing system. The treatment of the tickets occurs from Monday to Friday during the regular office hours.
Which services are being offered for NEPLAN?
PSI Neplan AG offers the following services:
- Support with software installation/ update or server migration (remote).
- Support with GIS import (interface: ESRI-SHP/shapefile).
- Customer-specific developments (data interfaces, data validation tools, custom applications etc.).
- Small-scale studies (e.g., modelling and analysis of networks) - upon request.
- Trainings & workshops with NEPLAN.
For advanced services (e.g., network planning, studies, and the like), PSI Neplan AG can refer the customer to a partner company which works with NEPLAN.
Are trainings available for NEPLAN?
Both standard and customer-specific trainings are available for NEPLAN.
Standard trainings are held every half a year in the premises of PSI Neplan AG (Oberwachtrasse 2, CH-8700 Küsnacht). The topics are defined by PSI Neplan AG.
Customer-specific trainings are coordinated with the respective customer in terms of timing and content. They can be held online, at the customer’s place, or at PSI Neplan AG.
