Learn about the tools in ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Lab, how they work, and the impact they have on hardware innovation and product development.

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At ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Lab, the ITECH IT7900-350-180 Regenerative Power Grid Simulator (HV) is one such tool making a significant impact. This state-of-the-art device enables startups and researchers to push the boundaries of innovation in energy distribution, AI-powered robotics, and power electronics.

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By simulating real-world electrical grid conditions, this powerful tool allows companies to test renewable energy integrations, validate power system designs, and ensure their technologies meet industry standards before deployment.

What is the ITECH IT7900-350-180 Regenerative Power Grid Simulator?

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The ITECH IT7900P series is a next-generation, programmable, full-power source and sink 4-Quadrant grid simulator. It also functions as a 4-Quadrant power amplifier, providing the flexibility to test a wide range of grid-tied devices, including:

• Power Conversion Systems (PCS)
• Energy Storage Systems
• Microgrids
• Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Technology
• Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHiL) Applications

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With a high power density of 15 kVA in a 3U enclosure, this tool supports voltages up to 350V L-N, extendable to 700V L-N in reversed mode. Its robust capabilities make it an ideal solution for research and development laboratories focused on power electronics and grid resilience.

Who’s Using It?

Cence Power 

Cence Power, a leader in centralized DC power distribution for commercial LED lighting and telecom (cellular) transmitters, utilizes the ITECH IT7900-350-180 Regenerative Power Grid Simulator to enhance their power supply designs. Their centralized approach improves electrical efficiency, simplifies maintenance, and reduces the weight of AC cables.

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By leveraging the grid simulator, Cence Power was able to test their power systems under varying grid conditions, analyzing critical metrics like Total Harmonic Distortion and Power Factor in real time. This helped them optimize system efficiency and ensure their technology remains robust against real-world fluctuations.

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“The ability to simulate grid issues and immediately observe their effects on critical metrics was invaluable for system validation.”– Charles Maxwell, Cence Power

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BH FrontierSolution Inc. (BHF Agrobot)

BH Frontier Solutions Inc., a company revolutionizing agricultural technology, develops AI-powered robots that replace herbicides with non-invasive weeding methods in commercial farming. The ITECH IT7900P Grid Simulator plays a key role in ensuring their systems operate reliably under diverse power conditions.

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By simulating various grid scenarios, BH Frontier Solutions Inc. rigorously tested their electrical systems to guarantee stability, efficiency, and seamless operation in real-world farming environments.

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“The IT7900P’s precision and versatility were key in ensuring our application is robust and ready for real-world deployment.”
– Fattah Hanafi, BH Frontier Solutions Inc.,

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Equipment key features include:

• High power density – Up to 6 kVA (2U) and 15 kVA (3U)
• Wide voltage range – Up to 350V L-N (extendable to 700V L-N in reversed mode)
• Scalability – Master-slave parallel configuration for increased power up to 960 kVA
• Energy efficiency – Regenerative capabilities return energy to the grid
• Comprehensive working modes – Supports single-phase, three-phase, reversed-phase, and multi-channel testing
• Advanced waveform capabilities – LIST/SWEEP/Surge/Sag three waveform modes, built-in waveform database, and support for CSV file imports
• Harmonic simulation and analysis – Up to 50 times with built-in IEC61000 3-2/3-12 compliance
• Programmable phase control – Adjustable 0-360° phase angle

Learn more about the lab here.

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About ventureLAB

ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 6,800 jobs and raise more than $420 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada’s knowledge-based economy.

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About Hardware Catalyst Initiative

ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is Canada’s only lab and incubator for founders building hardware and semiconductor-focused products, enabling the creation of transformative technologies that will power our products of tomorrow — including healthcare technology, consumer electronics, telecommunications, smart energy, connected transportation, and more.

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Funded in part by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Hardware Catalyst helps tech companies accelerate their time to market in a sector that normally incurs lengthy entry and scale times, enabling Canadian hardware and semiconductor companies to grow and scale locally, and compete globally.

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