RTC-Tools is an extensible open source framework designed for the modeling, simulation, and optimization of complex, time-dependent systems with interconnected components. Supporting advanced decision-making approaches such as model-predictive control, RTC-Tools enables users across water and energy sectors to optimize real-world operations – from reservoirs and canal networks to hydropower facilities, pumped-storage systems, and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Originally developed in 2015 by Deltares, a leading Dutch research institute for water and subsurface environments, RTC-Tools has since been deployed globally. Engineers, researchers, and operators use RTC-Tools to improve reliability, efficiency, and sustainability in water management and energy system operations. Its modular architecture, Python-based extensibility, and solver-agnostic design make RTC-Tools suitable for a wide range of applications, from operational control to long-term scenario planning.