OpenDSS for Distribution System Analysis: From Fundamentals to Python Automation

#Distribution #System #OpenDSS #Python #Simulation

WebEx link will be shared on the evening before the event after the registrations close at 5 PM EST.

Abstract: OpenDSS is an open-source electric power distribution system simulator used by utilities, researchers, and engineers worldwide. It supports a wide range of studies — from power flow and short-circuit analysis to time-series (QSTS) simulations, harmonics, hosting capacity analysis, DER integration, and interconnection screening. With over 200,000 downloads globally, it has become one of the most widely used tools in distribution system analysis.

This workshop provides both a foundational introduction to OpenDSS and a hands-on demonstration of how to control it programmatically using Python. The first part covers what OpenDSS is, what it is used for, its key simulation capabilities, and a practical walkthrough of a typical simulation workflow. The second part demonstrates Python-based control of OpenDSS through py-dss-interface — a package with over 100,000 downloads — and py-dss-toolkit, which provides higher-level abstractions for structured simulation workflows, model access, result extraction, and interactive visualization. Participants will leave with a clear picture of how Python transforms OpenDSS from a standalone simulator into a fully programmable engineering platform.