Power Hardware-in-the-Loop

Modern storage technologies, intelligent grids, and electromobility have rapidly expanded in recent years. P-HIL setups are increasingly used to test and optimize these systems by integrating real hardware with a virtual model in a closed-loop system. Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (P-HIL) enables accurate testing by combining real hardware with real-time simulation, providing reliable insights into system behavior under

real-world conditions. This approach allows researchers to analyze interactions between physical components and a simulated system, reducing risk and enhancing performance. P-HIL also enables testing up to overload conditions and recording stability, time behavior, and system reactions to various factors.

Key Points

  • Real-Time Interaction: REGATRON’s bidirectional AC and DC converters seamlessly integrate with simulated environments, providing precise, real-time testing of hardware under real-world conditions.
  • Energy Efficiency: With regenerative capabilities, REGATRON’s power amplifiers recover and reuse energy during tests, minimizing operational costs and supporting sustainable testing practices.
  • Wide Application Range: REGATRON’s solutions excel in testing smart grids, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and energy storage, delivering the precision and flexibility needed for diverse and complex applications.

Functional Principle and Description

P-HIL allows a physical component to directly interact with a simulated model, providing a more accurate evaluation of how that component will perform in a real system. The basic concept of P-HIL involves a real-time simulator generating signals that represent the power system environment. These signals are then amplified using a power amplifier, such as REGATRON bidirectional converters, and applied to the hardware under test (HUT). The behavior of the HUT is monitored in real-time and fed back to the simulator, closing the simulation loop.

Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (P-HIL) principle schematic – REGATRON programmable power supplies integration
P-HIL integrates physical hardware with real-time simulation, creating a closed-loop system for precise performance evaluation.

P-HIL is applied in various areas within electrical and energy engineering:

  • Renewable Energy: Evaluating the behavior of photovoltaic inverters and wind power systems under variable grid conditions.
  • Smart Grids: Simulating complex grid scenarios, such as load fluctuations, overload conditions or the integration of distributed energy resources.
  • Energy Storage: Testing battery systems and converters under different charge and discharge conditions.
  • Good transferability of the method to a variety of electrochemical processes in the fields of batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers, coatings and electrochemical sensors.
  • Electric Vehicles: Assessing the performance of chargers and traction systems in electric vehicles under various operating conditions, running drive cycles.

Why REGATRON Devices for P-HIL

In a P-HIL environment, the power amplifier is a critical component that must meet strict specifications to ensure the simulation’s accuracy and realism. REGATRON’s equipment, such as the TC.ACS (bidirectional AC source) and G5.RSS series (bidirectional DC sources) stands out in this role due to their distinctive features:

  • High Precision in Current and Voltage Control
  • Fast Response Capability: In P-HIL testing, the power amplifier’s response speed is crucial. REGATRON’s devices are designed to react in unrivaled manner to level changes in input signals, enabling real-time simulation without noticeable delays. This is especially important in applications where conditions change rapidly, such as smart grids or electric traction systems.
  • Regenerative Capability: REGATRON’s equipment can recover and reuse energy, which is a significant advantage in prolonged P-HIL tests, where operational costs and environmental impact can be reduce.
  • Wide Power Range and Flexibility: From several kW/kVA up to the MW/MVA range at always the same unaffected step response speed.
  • Robustness and Reliability: The robust construction and high reliability of REGATRON’s equipment ensure consistent performance even in demanding testing environments.
Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (P-HIL) diagram with TC.ACS and G5 step response – REGATRON testing systems
Typical delays and step response of REGATRON’s TC.ACS and G5 products

Suitable Products

G5 family DC power supplies – REGATRON programmable power supplies for advanced applications

G5.RSS Series

The G5.RSS series integrates Regatron’s cutting-edge technology in a compact, space-saving design. It features rapid transient response (50…100 µs), ripple modulation up to 10 kHz, and high-precision current and voltage regulation. Its switchable output capacitance ensures stability and maximum dynamic response in both CV and CC modes. Ideally suited for a wide range of demanding laboratory and industrial applications, including testing compliant with automotive and industry standards EIS, P-HIL, and more.

  • Power Range: 0…9 to 0…5000+ kW
  • Voltage Range: 0…60 to 0…3000 VDC

G5 family DC power supplies – REGATRON programmable power supplies for advanced applications

G5.UNV Series

Comprehensive solution for testing / simulation of batteries and fuel cells, testing of (solar) inverters and chargers, and P-HIL applications. It incorporates the advanced functions of the specialized G5 series and is designed to meet diverse requirements in an environment of constantly evolving tasks in areas such as product certification, scientific laboratories, R&D, and prototyping.



  • Power Range: 0…9 to 0…5000+ kW
  • Voltage Range: 0…60 to 0…3000 VDC

TC.ACS AC power supply – REGATRON programmable AC power supplies for grid simulation

Three-Phase Power Amplifier

The TC.ACS series can be used as power amplifier, featuring different operating modes (CV / CC), an analog high-speed interface, and an optional digital high-speed interface based on the Aurora protocol. The fast response capability of TC.ACS provides minimum time delays and phase errors, making it ideally suited as P-HIL-amplifier for power hardware-in-the-loop simulation.



  • Power Range: 0…30 to 0…2000+ kVA
  • Voltage Range: 0…528 Vrms (L-L)
    (higher on request)

We Are Here to Support You

Experience our commitment to outstanding customer support at every stage — before, during, and after your purchase. Benefit from our complimentary consultation services from the very beginning to ensure the ideal solution for your needs.

For added flexibility, selected power supplies may also be available for rent. Please contact REGATRON to discuss your specific requirements and to check availability for your application.

P-HIL application with REGATRON – power supplies for Power Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation and testing

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