OPAL-RT launches global user community for simulation engineers

OPAL-RT Technologies has launched a free online user community in Montréal to help engineers, researchers, educators and students share real-time simulation models, tutorials and technical advice. The move aims to simplify increasingly complex workflows in power systems, electrification and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

Why it matters: - The new OPAL-RT Community gives engineers a shared place to exchange real-time simulation knowledge as power systems, microgrids, battery storage and electrified mobility become more complex. - The forum is designed to speed up model development, validation and Hardware-in-the-Loop testing across energy and electrification projects. - The platform is free and open to engineers, researchers, educators, students, customers and partners worldwide.

What happened: - OPAL-RT Technologies launched the OPAL-RT Community in July 2026 in Montréal. - The company announced the community in a Nov. 4, 2026 release from Montréal, Quebec, Canada. - The community brings engineers, academic researchers, utilities and original equipment manufacturers into one technical space. - Members can download and contribute simulation models, follow step-by-step guidance, post technical questions and compare approaches with peers and OPAL-RT experts.

The details: - The community is built as a practical engineering knowledge hub rather than a generic discussion forum. - It connects users across OPAL-RT’s software ecosystem, including HYPERSIM, RT-LAB, SPS Software, ARTEMiS and eHS. - The platform links offline modeling, real-time execution and Hardware-in-the-Loop workflows in one place. - Starter and benchmark models cover microgrids, grid-forming control, renewable generation, grid protection, electric drives and power converters. - Tutorials and setup guides cover workflows from getting started through advanced topics, including solver and toolbox configuration. - Users can ask questions about offline or real-time simulation, power systems and OPAL-RT products. - The community also groups application collections by microgrids, inverter-based resources, power electronics and drives, protection and relay testing, grid-scale energy storage and EV systems. - OPAL-RT also says the community supports reproducible academic research and stronger collaboration across clean energy and electrified transport.

Between the lines: - The launch reflects a broader shift in engineering, where faster electrification is pushing more teams to coordinate modeling, simulation and validation work across disciplines. - By packaging models, guides and peer support together, OPAL-RT is trying to shorten the path from concept to real-world testing. - The community also functions as an onboarding tool for teams that are new to real-time simulation.

What's next: - OPAL-RT is steering users to community.opal-rt.com to create accounts, explore models and join technical discussions. - The company expects the community to keep expanding its repository of models, workflows and technical exchanges over time. - The platform will likely become a reference point for users working in energy, automotive and other industries that use real-time simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop testing.

The bottom line: - OPAL-RT is turning its user base into a collaborative technical network, betting that shared models and peer support will make real-time simulation easier to adopt and use.