Inverter-based resources (IBR) design and integration

Accelerate the development, validation, compliance testing, and integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs) with OPAL-RT’s real-time simulation solutions. From solar and wind systems to energy storage and plant power controllers, our tools—ranging from Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) to Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) at both signal and power levels—feature advanced blackbox integration to ensure performance, reliability, and grid readiness across the entire energy value chain.

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They trust us

A shifting landscape

Accurate and reliable simulation for IBRs for inverter-based resources

The power system is evolving rapidly to meet growing demand and the accelerating integration of renewable energy. With the increasing penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs), robust testing has become essential to ensure grid stability, reliability, and compliance with evolving standards. As the grid becomes more dynamic and distributed, simulation and validation play a critical role in supporting innovation while maintaining operational integrity.

OPAL-RT enables full-cycle validation of IBRs through comprehensive real-time simulation workflows—spanning software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL). Our solutions empower OEMs, integrators, consulting firms, and system operators to test, benchmark, and certify solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind power, and plant power controllers (PPCs) for performance, reliability, and grid code compliance.

Expertise you can rely on

A proven track record in power systems simulation

With decades of collaboration with industry leaders and top research institutions, OPAL-RT brings proven expertise in real-time power systems and power electronics simulation. Our trusted solutions drive innovation in inverter-based resource applications across the entire V-model lifecycle.

Accelerate IBR development

Integrated software and hardware solutions shorten development cycles and streamline validation workflows.

Improve grid stability & reliability

Validate IBR performance across diverse testing scenarios, including EMT, stability, and protection studies.

Perform high-fidelity device testing

Connect controllers, inverters, PMU, or SCADA systems, replay critical grid events, and inject faults for robust device validation.

Flexible model conversion

Import existing models into OPAL-RT’s real-time platform from PSCAD, PowerFactory, PSS®E, Simulink®, CYME, EMTP, GridLAB-D and more through built-in blackbox integration capabilities.

Webinar

Industry insights: The role of HIL in IBR development and integration

Explore how Sungrow in partnership with Keliang leverage our hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation tools to develop and integrate inverter-based resources, ensuring secure, stable, and high-performance solar and energy storage systems.

Read their success story

Blackbox integration

Blackbox model integration workflows for real-time simulation

Seamlessly test vendor controllers or inverters with full fidelity while keeping IP secure using our interface. Ideal for manufacturers, integrators, and system operators to validate, simulate, and de-risk inverter-based control projects. Watch our video to get started with your blackbox model integration in HYPERSIM.

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Voices from the field

Empowering innovators

Explore how leading institutions and organizations leverage OPAL-RT to achieve remarkable results.

We have used OPAL-RT to validate power plant controller performance against the models before they get sent to site. In a recent 50MW solar project, we saved up to 5 months and resolved 15+ issues related to control system integration, modelling and design.

Marty Johnson

Senior Power System Engineer at EPEC Group

OPAL-RT was of great support to develop the virtual environment required for our demonstrator. The development and validation of innovative solutions for such systems would not have been possible without this high-fidelity digital twin of the real system.

Dr. Ulrich Muenz

Principal Key Expert Control Systems at Siemens

With OPAL-RT’s high-performance simulators, we successfully implemented our Sunny Central Storage UP inverter controller. This allowed us to validate large-scale IBR behavior with full control, fidelity and scalability.

Christian Hardt

System Architect at SMA Solar Technology

Products

The essentials for IBR testing

Discover the tools that professionals depend on for fast and precise testing. Ensure optimal performance with our products.

EMT Simulation and HIL Testing

HYPERSIM

High-fidelity platform for EMT simulation, SIL and HIL testing, ideal for validating control, protection, grid integration and large-scale stability across all stages of power system development.

EMT Simulation and HIL Testing for Simulink®

ARTEMiS

Designed for Simulink® and SimPowerSystems, ARTEMiS enables accurate, real-time simulation of power systems and power electronics with advanced decoupling, preserving fidelity in complex grid models.

Compact mid-range simulator

OP4610XG

Compact yet powerful mid-range simulator offering an all-in-one solution that combines the latest 6-core AMD Ryzen™ 5 CPU with the power of an AMD Kintex™-7 410T FPGA.

4-Quadrant PHIL Amplifier

OP1400PR

A fully-integrated and modular power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) test bench designed to provide seamless, flexible, and high-performance power testing capabilities for researchers and manufacturers.

Expert Consulting Services

Tailored support for your projects

OPAL-RT consulting services provide expert guidance in:

Custom model development
Simulation workflow design
Compliance verification and grid code testing

Partner with OPAL-RT consultants to accelerate your IBR projects

Applications

Inverter-based resource testing

OPAL-RT supports practical, end-to-end testing for inverter-based resources. OEMs, developers, and system operators can simulate real-world scenarios to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance:

Unit-level inverter validation

Validate your PV, BESS, or inverter controllers with our real-time solutions — simulate realistic grid conditions at sub-microsecond timesteps for unmatched performance insight.

Plant Power Controller (PPC) validation

Validate and benchmark PPC performance to ensure seamless coordination across multiple inverters and energy storage systems.

Grid code compliance verification

Perform real-time studies to validate controller behavior and ensure compliance with regional and international standards such as IEEE 1547, ENTSO-E, and UL 1741.

Blackbox model integration

Seamlessly integrate and test vendor-supplied controllers or inverters using our secure interface—maintaining full fidelity while keeping your intellectual property fully protected.

Let’s get started in real-time

Whether you need more details or have a specific question, our experts are here to help. Contact us today for personalized support.

FAQ

Find the answers to your questions

What is an inverter-based resource and  how  does it function?

We created a handy blog article to help you answer this question. Check it out here. Also, check out our edition of our Power in Mind magazine focused on IBRs to learn more: Read Power in Mind volume 10.