OPAL-RT Technologies
OPAL-RT Technologies is a Montreal-based provider of real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation platforms for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL/PHIL/RCP/SIL) testing of power systems, automotive, aerospace, power electronics, and autonomous systems. Founded in 1997, it serves 1,000+ customers across 40+ countries with 400+ employees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What OPAL-RT Technologies does
OPAL-RT Technologies Inc. is a privately held Canadian company founded in 1997 in Montreal, Quebec by co-founders Jean Bélanger (President) and Lise Laforce (Executive Vice-President). The company designs, develops, and sells real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation platforms and complementary hardware, software, and services used by engineers to test, validate, and refine complex control systems across industries including energy and power systems, automotive, aerospace, power electronics, autonomous systems, and academic research. The technology stack combines high-performance computing with FPGA-based solvers, supporting Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL), Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and accelerated simulation workflows.
The product portfolio is platform-plus-modules in architecture. The two flagship software platforms are HYPERSIM, an advanced HIL/SIL simulator capable of real-time execution of 30,000+ electrical node models for national-scale grid modeling, and RT-LAB, which converts MATLAB/Simulink models into real-time high-performance simulations. These are complemented by specialized toolboxes (eHS FPGA solver, ARTEMiS CPU solver, ePHASORSIM RMS solver, SPS Software for SimPowerSystems users, and EXata CPS communication network emulation co-developed with Keysight) and hardware including simulators, test benches, and I/O interfaces with FPGA time steps as low as 40 nanoseconds. A new OPAL-RT 4DRIVE division launched in May 2026 extends the platform into autonomous vehicle and robotics simulation.
The company monetizes through a mix of one-time software licenses and FPGA-based hardware sales (quotes valid for 30 days, payment due in 30 days for software, full prepayment for hardware), professional services (training, commissioning, expert support), and recurring maintenance/support agreements gated by active Support Agreements. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales across North America, Europe, and Asia, with ten wholly-owned regional subsidiaries and an exclusive/regional distributor network spanning 40+ countries. Revenue and ARR are not publicly disclosed. The company employs more than 400 people globally, serves 1,000+ customers (including GE Vernova, Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, Ford, Caterpillar, NASA, Pratt & Whitney, Sungrow, and Dominion Energy), and reports 6,000+ technical paper citations referencing its products. No outside private equity or venture capital is identified in the source material.
OPAL-RT Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OPAL-RT Technologies
- Legal name
- OPAL-RT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
- Website
- https://opal-rt.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- OPAL-RT Technologies is a Montreal-based provider of real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation platforms for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL/PHIL/RCP/SIL) testing of power systems, automotive, aerospace, power electronics, and autonomous systems. Founded in 1997, it serves 1,000+ customers across 40+ countries with 400+ employees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OPAL-RT Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Real-Time Digital Simulation Platforms
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- System-Level, Multi-Physics & Package/PCB Co-Design (EDA) (HDAHAFAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- EDA Software Platforms (Digital Implementation, Verification & Signoff) (HDAHAFAA), Performance Engineering & Scalability Testing (BPAEAKAK)
Keywords
Where OPAL-RT Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
OPAL-RT Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses and Platforms: Sale of software platforms including RT-LAB, HYPERSIM, and specialized toolboxes like eHS, ARTEMiS, ePHASORSIM. Quotation-based pricing with quotes valid for 30 days.
- Hardware Systems and Simulators: Sale of hardware platforms including simulators, test benches, and hardware interfaces. Hardware orders require full payment before delivery.
- Professional Services: Training, commissioning, and expert services. Estimated time used when preparing quotes; overtime charged at 1.25x regular rate if more time is needed. Buyer has one year from delivery date to request services.
- Maintenance and Support: Ongoing support services for software and hardware. Restricted areas of website require active Support Agreement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise/custom quotes based on specific requirements |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels11 records
OPAL-RT Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OPAL-RT Technologies develops and sells real-time and faster-than-real-time digital simulation platforms that enable hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), rapid control prototyping (RCP), and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing. Its portfolio combines proprietary software platforms (HYPERSIM, RT-LAB, 4DV-SIM) and specialized FPGA/CPU solver toolboxes (eHS, ARTEMiS, ePHASORSIM, SPS Software, EXata CPS, NI VeriStand Add-On) with complementary real-time simulator hardware, test benches, and hardware interfaces. The offering is targeted at engineers in energy, automotive, aerospace, power electronics, autonomous systems, and academic research who need to test and validate complex control systems without relying on full-scale prototypes.
Product overview
OPAL-RT Technologies delivers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), rapid control prototyping (RCP), and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing. The core software platforms are HYPERSIM (advanced HIL/SIL for power systems capable of 30,000+ node simulations) and RT-LAB (converts MATLAB/Simulink models to real-time simulations), complemented by the 4DV-SIM autonomous systems platform. Specialized toolboxes include eHS (FPGA-based power electronics solver with 40ns time steps), ARTEMiS (CPU-based power simulation), ePHASORSIM (RMS phasor simulation), SPS Software (SimPowerSystems compatibility), EXata CPS (Keysight network emulation), and NI VeriStand Add-On. The portfolio spans hardware simulators, test benches, hardware interfaces, professional services, and courseware for academia. Testing approaches include HIL, PHIL, RCP, SIL, simulation acceleration, and digital twins, serving energy, automotive, aerospace, power electronics, autonomy, and research sectors across 40+ countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RT-LAB: Turn Simulink models into real-time, high-performance simulations.
- HYPERSIM
- eHS
- ARTEMiS
- ePHASORSIM
- 4DV-SIM
- SPS Software
- EXata CPS
- OPAL-RT 4DRIVE
Products and services
- HYPERSIM The most advanced HIL and SIL real-time simulation platform for power systems, capable of executing real-time simulations of over 30,000 electrical nodes for national-scale grid modeling. Sold to power utilities, grid operators, and researchers modeling large transmission and distribution networks.
- RT-LAB Real-time simulation software platform that converts MATLAB/Simulink models into real-time, high-performance simulations for control system testing and validation. Used by engineers across energy, automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications.
- 4DV-SIM A flexible 3D real-time simulation platform for autonomous systems, including self-driving vehicles, intelligent robotics, and UAVs. Provides virtual proving grounds for perception algorithms and sensor fusion. Targeted at autonomous vehicle and robotics developers.
- eHS (Electric Hardware Solver) High-performance FPGA-based solver for real-time power systems and power electronics simulation, supporting time steps as low as 40 nanoseconds for power electronics and motor drive validation. Used with HYPERSIM and RT-LAB platforms.
- ARTEMiS CPU-based toolbox for real-time power systems and power electronics simulation, enabling power hardware-in-the-loop testing on standard compute hardware. Sold to power systems and power electronics engineers.
- ePHASORSIM High-performance RMS solver that enables real-time simulation of large-scale power networks in the phasor domain. Used by utilities and researchers for large-scale transmission and distribution system studies.
- SPS Software Dedicated platform providing full compatibility with SimPowerSystems in MATLAB/Simulink, keeping the modeling workflow in Simulink from first blocks through to hardware-in-the-loop testing on OPAL-RT simulators. Sold to power systems engineers migrating from MathWorks SimPowerSystems.
- EXata CPS Communication network emulation tool developed in partnership with Keysight, integrated with OPAL-RT's HYPERSIM or RT-LAB software platforms to enable cyber-physical power system testing.
- NI VeriStand Add-On OPAL-RT's FPGA-based power electronics add-on (eHS) packaged as an integration into National Instruments VeriStand, providing HIL testing capabilities for power electronics inside the NI VeriStand environment. Targeted at NI VeriStand users in automotive and power electronics testing.
- OPAL-RT Simulators Real-time and faster-than-real-time simulator hardware platforms that run OPAL-RT software to enable engineers to test, validate, and refine complex control systems from lab to production. Sold to enterprise engineering teams across energy, automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers.
- OPAL-RT Test Benches Turnkey testing systems combining hardware and software for comprehensive hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), and rapid control prototyping (RCP) testing.
- OPAL-RT Hardware Interfaces Hardware interface modules and I/O solutions for connecting real hardware devices to OPAL-RT simulation platforms, enabling HIL and PHIL test setups.
- Professional Services Training, commissioning, and expert services for OPAL-RT software and hardware platforms. Includes technical support and ongoing maintenance under active Support Agreements.
- Courseware Academic course materials and educational packages for universities to teach power systems simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Sold to academic institutions and research centers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 40% time savings in commissioning through early control system and integration validation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OPAL-RT Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
OPAL-RT Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature9 records
OPAL-RT Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SYNDEMcoreStrategic partnership for joint marketing, integration, and sales to advance grid stability and reliability in modern power systems. Combines OPAL-RT's real-time simulation and HIL testing platforms with SYNDEM's Virtual Synchronous Machine technology and Smart Grid Research and Educational Kits. Enables engineers and researchers to develop and test control strategies in both computational and physical environments.
- National Instruments (NI)corePartnership with National Instruments, a global leader in test, measurement, and control solutions, to expand real-time simulation offerings. Collaboration enables customers to access more accessible and advanced simulation technology through NI VeriStand integration with OPAL-RT's FPGA-based power electronics add-on (eHS).
- Motorcar Parts of America's D&V ElectronicsminorPartnership to unite complementary technologies and advance R&D, testing, and manufacturing of electric motors.
- KeysightcorePartnership for development of EXata CPS - a cutting-edge communication network emulation tool integrated with OPAL-RT's HYPERSIM or RT-LAB software platforms. Enables communication network emulation for power system simulations.
- PolyU (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)coreJoint Laboratory Memorandum of Understanding signed April 17, 2026 to integrate industry experience and academic research to empower the grid. Combines OPAL-RT's simulation technology with PolyU's academic expertise in power systems research.
- DiraqminorConsortium partner in Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP) led by Diraq with funding from Australian Government. Includes UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University, OPAL-RT Technologies Australia, and Australian Energy Market Operator. Developing software integrating quantum computers with real-time simulation tools for energy network optimization.
- TarazminorPartnership to streamline power electronics R&D through integration of technologies.
- Edinburgh UniversityminorHost partner for RT26 Workshop in Edinburgh. Co-organizing technical workshop on PHIL testing, power electronics, and power system simulation with speakers from across the UK.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
OPAL-RT Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Plexim (PLECS): Specialist in power-electronics circuit simulation with growing real-time/HIL capabilities. Comparable to OPAL-RT's eHS and ARTEMiS in motor-drive and converter design workflows.
Broad incumbents
- ANSYS: Provider of multiphysics simulation software widely used in automotive, aerospace, and power-electronics design. Adjacent incumbent whose high-fidelity solvers increasingly intersect with real-time/HIL use cases OPAL-RT addresses.
- Siemens (Digital Industries / Simcenter): Major automation/PLM incumbent offering Simcenter simulation, digital twins, and test solutions. Overlaps with OPAL-RT in automotive, energy, and aerospace customer accounts and competes in some HIL-adjacent toolchains.
- MathWorks: Maker of MATLAB/Simulink — the underlying modeling environment OPAL-RT's RT-LAB, HYPERSIM and SPS Software integrate with. Adjacent incumbent and key ecosystem dependency/partner.
- National Instruments (NI) / Emerson: Now part of Emerson, NI is a broad incumbent in test, measurement, and HIL via VeriStand — and is simultaneously a partner (VeriStand Add-On) and competitor across modular HIL platforms.
Direct peers
- dSPACE GmbH: German-based leading provider of HIL simulation systems and prototyping tools for automotive, aerospace, and industrial control. Most direct competitor to OPAL-RT's RT-LAB/eHS offerings, particularly in RCP and ECU HIL.
- RTDS Technologies: Supplies real-time digital simulators for power-system protection, HVDC, and integration studies used by utilities and researchers. Overlaps with OPAL-RT's HYPERSIM and ePHASORSIM offerings in transmission/distribution simulation.
- Speedgoat GmbH: Provides real-time target machines and Simulink-integrated HIL solutions for control design and power electronics. Closely comparable to OPAL-RT on RCP and Simulink-based HIL workflows.
- Typhoon HIL: Specialist in ultra-high-fidelity real-time HIL simulation for power electronics, microgrids, and renewable energy. Directly competes with HYPERSIM and eHS in the power-systems HIL market.
Others
- Keysight Technologies: Test-and-measurement incumbent and EXata CPS co-development partner. Provides complementary communication network emulation for power-system cyber-physical validation, integrating with OPAL-RT platforms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OPAL-RT Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceOPAL-RT Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OPAL-RT Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
OPAL-RT Technologies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
OPAL-RT Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OPAL-RT Technologies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OPAL-RT Technologies
What does OPAL-RT Technologies do?
OPAL-RT Technologies develops and sells real-time and faster-than-real-time digital simulation platforms that enable hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), rapid control prototyping (RCP), and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing. Its portfolio combines proprietary software platforms (HYPERSIM, RT-LAB, 4DV-SIM) and specialized FPGA/CPU solver toolboxes (eHS, ARTEMiS, ePHASORSIM, SPS Software, EXata CPS, NI VeriStand Add-On) with complementary real-time simulator hardware, test benches, and hardware interfaces. The offering is targeted at engineers in energy, automotive, aerospace, power electronics, autonomous systems, and academic research who need to test and validate complex control systems without relying on full-scale prototypes.
Is OPAL-RT Technologies a public or private company?
OPAL-RT Technologies is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was OPAL-RT Technologies founded?
OPAL-RT Technologies was founded in 1997. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is OPAL-RT Technologies based?
OPAL-RT Technologies is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does OPAL-RT Technologies make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses and Platforms are the primary driver. The others are hardware Systems and Simulators, professional Services and maintenance and Support.
Who are OPAL-RT Technologies's main competitors?
Plexim (PLECS) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are ANSYS, Siemens (Digital Industries / Simcenter), MathWorks and National Instruments (NI) / Emerson. Direct peers are dSPACE GmbH, RTDS Technologies, Speedgoat GmbH and Typhoon HIL. Keysight Technologies is listed as an others.
Does OPAL-RT Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for OPAL-RT Technologies.
What industry is OPAL-RT Technologies in?
OPAL-RT Technologies's product category is Real-Time Digital Simulation Platforms. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAFAD, System-Level, Multi-Physics & Package/PCB Co-Design (EDA), with a secondary code of HDAHAFAA, EDA Software Platforms (Digital Implementation, Verification & Signoff). Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 3825.