SPF Competencies Energy Systems

Hardware-in-the-Loop for Building Energy Technology

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) is a test method in which real hardware components are integrated into a simulated and emulated environment. The aim is to test the behavior of the hardware under realistic conditions.

This principle is used to determine the performance figures of complete systems for supplying residential buildings with heat and electricity, to determine the stratification efficiency of thermal energy storage units (e.g. hot water storage or combi-storage), and to determine the cycle efficiency of stationary battery systems or battery-powered electric vehicles.

For this type of test, typical conditions are combined in a test cycle that leads to the same state of system at the end of the test as it was when the cycle started. This method, developed by SPF, is called a Concise Cycle Test, or simply abbreviated as CCT.