Skip to content

Power Transfer Distribution Factor

A measure of the change in electrical loading on transmission facilities due to a power transfer between areas.

Definition by NERC

Source: 1

In the pre-contingency configuration of a system under study, a measure of the responsiveness or change in electrical loadings on transmission system Facilities due to a change in electric power transfer from one area to another, expressed in percent (up to 100%) of the change in power transfer.

Definition by PowerWorld

Source: 2 (Sensitivities -> Power Transfer Distribution Factors -> Power Transfer Distribution Factors)

Power Transfer Distribution Factors indicate the incremental change in real power that occurs on transmission lines due to real power transfers between two regions. These regions can be defined by areas, zones, super areas, single buses, injection groups or the system slack. These values provide a linearized approximation of how the flow on the transmission lines and interfaces change in response to a transaction between the Seller (source) and the Buyer (sink). These values can then be visualized on the onelines using animated flows.

Last modified: 2025-06-20

← Power Systems Optimization · Primary Control →

  1. NERC (2025). Glossary of Terms Used in NERC Reliability Standards. https://www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Glossary%20of%20Terms/Glossary_of_Terms.pdf ↩

  2. PowerWorld (2025). PowerWorld Manual. http://www.powerworld.com/WebHelp ↩