ApacheSim enables calculation of building energy for a number of different parameters based on thermal performance. Driven by real weather data, it simulates thermal performance as modelled and is available from Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) in th UK.
“ApacheSim also enables you to perform carbon emissions calculations for compliance with UK Building Regs Part L and Part J. ApacheSim is based on first-principles models of heat transfer processes and is driven by real weather data.”
Bentley Systems, Incorporated announced the new Bentley Substation V8i product yesterday. The software is the first of it’s type on the market and a major step ahead to intelligent 3D modelling for electrical substation planning, operation and lifecycle management.
Image: Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Richard Zambuni of Bentley Systems introduced the new product saying, “utility operations today have operated in a similar way for decades and this product will open the door to the 21st century utility.” He indicated that this product will bring a major change from operating in 2D to operating in 3D for electrical utilities.
Major drivers for this product include a need for increased collaboration and changing patterns in energy supply and demand.
Substations are changing. Smart Grids need to be re-designed to allow for the step-down of all forms of power types (non-renewable and renewable) from generating sources. Current growth in substations is rapid and required to meet these needs.
Image: Bentley Systems, Incorporated
The needs for utility modelling include (3D):
1) Integrates physical design
2) Creates information model
3) Collaboration between individual and groups
4) Documentation creation 100%
Bentley Substation V8i is estimated to produce a gain of 30% in design time and capable of achieving upwards of 60% reduction in building costs due to increased efficiency – fewer design hours, fewer errors and faster approvals.
Image: Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Major gains include:
- Intelligent substation information models that allow distributed users to work efficiently with federated data in a single environment;
- The most complete set of substation engineering and design tools available with a common graphical user interface, making the software easy to learn;
- Integration with the ProjectWise system for connecting people and information to facilitate engineering content management and team collaboration in support of streamlined workflows.
Bentley Substation V8i also includes an inventory of 2 million common electrical parts that users can include immediately into their designs. The company is aiming the product directly into the growing Smart Grid energy and electricity market place. China is anticipated to see the largest growth and the product will become available shortly.
IBERDROLA Engineering and Construction in Spain has been testing the software prior during the development stages and notes considerable gains in integrating their work flow processes.
Image: Bentley Systems, Incorporated
The design of substations can now be coupled to the traditional 2D drawings. But important benefits are also being realised through being able to work in 3D, such as avoidance of clashes, improved measurement and better communication of designs for approval.
This is a major step forward in terms of intelligent utility design. Bentley Systems is already a significant player in the utility market from design through to de-commissioning, and the product fits in well to the already existing product offering.
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