Newsletter #27

December 2019

Dr. Pedro Puig
CEO Trace Software International

Editorial

2019: a year of great changes

Dear customers and prospects,

We are about to finish another exciting, thrilling and challenging year. Indeed, the sale of our schematic division at the end of Q1 to Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks has accelerated our reorganization and enabled new investments.

You may have already noticed that BIM is becoming an essential requirement within more industries and projects. It really is about data harmonization, integration and reuse to foster cooperation along the project life cycle. Implications are huge and extended to more and more industries, reaching also the majority of you.

We are now concentrating on two specialists’ areas, electrical sizing calculation and photovoltaic. Both received a massive investment. Needless to say, we believe in BIM as a key driver on innovation, a fundamental change we all need to embrace not to be left behind.

Our suites elec calc™ and archelios™ are now fully integrated into BIM so professionals can benefit from our expertise on data format exchange and cooperation standards. Our unique approach and integration with BIM&CO – the platform that sets the standards for BIM objects and high-quality data- will empower your projects.

We will be happy to receive your feedback. Do not hesitate to share it with us, it is really more and more about cooperation and learning and not only with reference to BIM!

To your success!

Software Insights

elec calc™ BIM and energy efficiency

BIM is still little used in the electricity sector, even if it can bring important advantages in terms of energy efficiency as errors and wastes are reduced. elec calc™ BIM is the first software in the world that integrates the electrical calculations into the Open BIM process. Loads, generators, transformers, and electrical panels can be represented in the model by using generic objects.

These components must be inserted into appropriate electrical circuits that also include control devices, protective equipment, and connecting cables. The compatibility with the electrical objects available on the BIM&CO platform is also an important resource for integrating and calculating the electrical products of the manufacturers.

Request an e-demo or download the software brochure.

archelios™ Pro and Sketch Up plugin

archelios™ Pro is the analysis software for determining the feasibility and bankability of any type of PV project, optimizing module layout and estimating yield production with the uttermost precision. It includes a SketchUp plugin to recreate the structure or place where the installation will be designed by building a 3D digital model known as

PV BIM, which increases the accuracy of the results because it takes into account every obstacle that may interfere with direct irradiation.

archelios™ Pro has a new bidirectional gateway to update changes quickly with SketchUp.

Request an e-demo or download the software brochure.

Articles

Why are floating PV plants a promising future for solar energy?

Floating solar PV plants are an emerging form of PV systems that float on the surface of drinking water reservoirs, quarry lakes, irrigation canals or remediation and tailing ponds. According to the World Bank, with a global potential of 400 GW under very conservative assumptions, floating solar could double the existing installed capacity of solar PV but without the land acquisition that is required for ground-mounted installations. As there are more than 400,000 square kilometers (km2) of man-made reservoirs in the world (Shiklomanov 1993), the floating solar has a theoretical potential on a terawatt scale, purely from the perspective of the available surface area. Floating solar power generating systems typically generate more electricity than ground-mount and rooftop systems due to the cooling effect of the water. But this is not the only advantage.

Discover all the benefits.

The electrical installations in critical facilities

Demand for uninterruptable reliable power in critical facilities is the norm. The electrical equipment must be reliable and operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To guarantee the power supply and the efficient management of the operations, critical infrastructures require a highly resistant, reliable and secure electrical installation. When the electrical system fails, the security of the community is compromised. This is why it is important to adopt a holistic approach in which personnel, devices, and integrated monitoring systems are integrated. First of all, safety and compliances with current regulations are imperative to guarantee the minimization of risk, and profitability throughout the life cycle of the electrical installations. Because of this, investing in quality turns out to be an intelligent choice.

Keep on reading about critical facilities’ electrical networks.

Which are the factors to consider when installing PV modules?

Concerns about the environmental consequences of greenhouse gas emission heightened interest in the development of renewable energy sources. Amongst them, solar is the world’s fastest growing form of renewable energy. Solar photovoltaic technology converts sunlight into electricity. However, the installation of the photovoltaic modules must take into account some factors to take full advantage of solar radiation: the orientation, the inclination, the latitude of the place, the climatic conditions, and the effect of shadows between the photovoltaic modules. The correct consideration of these variants will help ensure that they produce maximum energy by being exposed to the greatest solar radiation for the longest period of time.

Learn more about the factors to consider when installing PV modules.

Calculation of the minimum cross section of the conductors of an electrical installation

When calculating the cross-section of the conductors of an electrical installation, the following factors must be considered: the current likely to flow through the conductor, environmental parameters and methods of installation, thermal stress withstood by the conductor in the event of a short circuit, the voltage drop, energy efficiency. Needless to say, the calculation of the minimum cross section of the conductors is a complex operation. The use of adapted software is an invaluable aid to ensure that the transport of energy is carried out safely, while achieving the highest level of energy efficiency and ensuring cost optimization.

Would you like to learn more?

Video

elec calc™ BIM – Electrical cable routing

elec calc™ BIM is the first software in the world that integrates the electrical calculations into the Open BIM process. It is equipped with an auto-routing feature that proposes the most suitable route to lay cables. Alternatively, the designer can decide to do this manually by choosing the preferred location.

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