PowerAI Lab
McMaster University
Enabling the Future of AI
McMaster Real-Time Grid Lab for Data Centre Resilience
Where Data Centre Resilience Meets Real-Time Testing
A cutting-edge lab for testing and validating data centre power systems using real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop—derisking control and protection before deployment.
Key Features
Replicates faults and voltage events with millisecond accuracy for safe, repeatable testing.
Connects real controllers to simulated grids using amplifiers for realistic, closed-loop testing
Tests STATCOM, BESS, and relays under grid faults to ensure compliance and resilience.
Our Real-Time Digital Simulation Capabilities
Real-time digital simulation models, tests, and validates power systems and controls under realistic operating conditions, enabling faster development and reduced risk.
C-HIL for Real-World Grid Validation
Control-Hardware-in-the-Loop (C-HIL) testing connects real control hardware to a real-time simulated power system, enabling accurate validation of performance and reliability under realistic conditions.
Power-HIL Performance Validation
Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop (Power-HIL) testing integrates actual power hardware with real-time simulations, allowing safe, full-scale performance validation under realistic grid conditions.
C-HIL for Real-World Grid Validation
Control-Hardware-in-the-Loop (C-HIL) testing connects real control hardware to a real-time simulated power system, enabling accurate validation of performance and reliability under realistic conditions.
Power-HIL Performance Validation
Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop (Power-HIL) testing integrates actual power hardware with real-time simulations, allowing safe, full-scale performance validation under realistic grid conditions.
Why This Lab Matters
Modern data centres are no longer passive energy consumers—they are active grid participants. Their control and protection systems must be fast, reliable, and compliant with evolving standards from regulators like NERC, PJM, and IESO. Yet deploying new control firmware or power hardware without proper validation poses significant risk.
The McMaster Grid Lab will serve as a validation and testbed environment, helping operators and solution providers fine-tune their systems in a fully simulated, fault-replicable environment before field deployment.
- Active Grid Role
- Need for Speed & Compliance
- Deployment Risks
PowerAI Lab
Applications
This lab supports a wide range of applications, including:
- Data centre interconnection testing
- Grid code compliance verification (e.g., IEEE 2800, NERC PRC)
- Microgrid and backup controller development
- Resilience and ride-through studies under fault conditions
- End-to-end system integration and prototyping
Validated. Simulated. Ready
The Future of Grid-Aligned Data Centres Begins Here
By providing a secure, flexible, and highly realistic testing environment, the McMaster Grid Lab empowers the next generation of resilient, compliant, and efficient data centre infrastructures. Whether you’re testing a new inverter controller or evaluating fault-tolerant logic, this facility is designed to derisk innovation—so you can deploy with confidence.
The Future of Grid-Aligned Data Centres Begins Here
Validated. Simulated. Ready
By providing a secure, flexible, and highly realistic testing environment, the McMaster Grid Lab empowers the next generation of resilient, compliant, and efficient data centre infrastructures. Whether you’re testing a new inverter controller or evaluating fault-tolerant logic, this facility is designed to derisk innovation—so you can deploy with confidence.
Faculty Directory
Dr. Sam Maleki
Adjunct Professor
