Newsletter #30

September 2020

Dr. Pedro Puig
CEO Trace Software International

Editorial

Are we ready for the new world order?

Dears readers,

We hope you are and your beloved ones are in good health.

2020 is not yet finished. However, we can certainly say, it has been extremely challenging so far.

COVID-19 has triggered socio-economic disruption with the power of an asteroid hitting earth. How are we all going to cope with the post-pandemic world? There is a lot of uncertainty now and many questions will remain unanswered for a long time.

The shocking spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has caught all countries off guard. The dynamics of our lives have been rapidly disrupted. This novel virus has also changed the way the world does business. Perhaps, for good.

As an entrepreneur and director, I am very used to challenges and disruption. To be viable, a business must adapt to the evolving markets. Otherwise, it inevitably falls behind.

COVID-19 is a rather difficult challenge: a plot-twist that brings numerous socio-economic structural changes. Think of the digital economy, the on-line education, the decentralized workforce, deglobalization and the desire to nationalize supply chains to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

It is time to think about viable strategies that boost economic recovery and sustain growth, strategies that shape the future of the new era.

Trace Software International is innovating first-class smart engineering software solutions since 1987. We know very well how electricity is at the heart of economic and social development. The economic hibernation has caused a historical fall in energy demand in the past 70 years and a consequent unprecedented decline in CO2 emissions. Now more than ever, the concepts of energy efficiency, sustainability, and waste management should drive conscious choices.

It is time to build a new order of the world and seize opportunities.

New In

archelios™ Pro Silver

archelios™ Pro Silver is a professional tool for the design, calculation, and simulation of your PV project up to 100 kWp. It includes a set of unique features and benefits that deliver greater value in terms of detail, quality, customization, and economical asset.

Here are some of its most remarkable features:

• A geolocated 3D model (Sketch-up plugin)

• 3D automatic alignment

• Customization of the modules and inverters database

• Self-consumption operating mode

• Solar pumping

Unblock all the benefits of archelios™ Pro Silver.

The SILVER version of archelios™ Pro

archelios™ Pro Silver is aimed at technical offices and photovoltaic installers and allows designing projects for grid-connected or isolated solar installations, for self-consumption, with or without energy storage.

The software is provided with powerful features for the quick and detailed design of the PV installation, precise calculation of the expected production and economic analysis for the best estimation of the return on investment.

In addition, the software includes an extensive database of multi-manufacturer references. Any user can select the most suitable options for the PV project and obtain the optimum performance from the solar power plant.

Get the SILVER version

Highlighted

ARCHELIOS™ PRO PV SOFTWARE INTEGRATES DATA FROM K2 BASE SOFTWARE

Trace Software International is pleased to announce a cooperation between the photovoltaic design and simulation software archelios™ Pro and the mechanical software K2 Base, designed by K2 Systems.

How does it work?

In K2 Base, the user maps his project with the parameters corresponding exactly to the mounting system. The design is carried out in 2D ½ (2D plans with elevations). The calculation of possible ballast weights can be operated, and the list of equipment required for the assembly of the PV installation is generated.

In archelios™ Pro, the project is automatically localized and the 2D plans ½ and PV modules are imported in 3D. The user can go ahead with the design: inverter sizing, wiring, technical-economic simulation, editing of plans and reports.

Read the full press release.

WHY ARE DISCRIMINATION STUDIES AMONG PROTECTIONS SO IMPORTANT?

Carrying out a discrimination study is critical to ensure the correct functioning of the electrical system in the event of possible faults. The terms “discrimination” and “selectivity” refer to the electrical current tripping of a device or piece of equipment and describe the same concept.

This is due to the system being coordinated to discriminate between incoming and outgoing devices and prevent any further outgoing fault current from affecting the entire system. Electrical engineers often produce a discrimination (selectivity) study at various stages within a project.

elec calc™ software offers critical calculations for factors such as earthing systems, cable ampacity, short circuit currents, thermal stresses, voltage drops, and discrimination studies between protections that are key for the continuation of supply.

Discover how elec calc™ can help to ensure power continuity..

WHAT ARE THE PHOTOVOLTAIC NOISE BARRIERS (PVNBS)?

Nowadays, there are so many different technologies that could leverage solar power. One of them is the Photovoltaic noise barriers (PVNBs).

Photovoltaic noise barriers (PVNBs) are designed to mitigate noise levels, shield receivers from noise pollution generated by road traffic, and produce clean energy. Their structure is composed of a noise barrier system with a photovoltaic (PV) installation that converts sunlight into electricity.

Would you like to know more about their design and function? You can read our article.

Read the full article for more details.

Photovoltaic noise barriers (PVNBs) (500x350)

Coronavirus Pandemic Affecting the Solar Energy Industry? (500x350)

THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY

COVID-19 is the novel virus that caused the first major pandemic of the new millennium. The paralysis of the economy and limited mobility during the lockdown have caused the largest drop in energy demand in the past 70 years and a consequent unprecedented decline in Co2 emissions. In the words of IEA, this is a “historic shock to the entire energy world”.

COVID-19 pandemic has triggered economic disruption across many industries including the solar energy sector, mostly reliant on a Chinese import. Lockdowns have put numerous photovoltaic projects on standby due to interruptions or delays in supply chains.

Although factories are already open and companies are reactivating their usual activities, the economic damages are extensive. The recovery will on the size of the company, on its liquidity capacity, and debt access or restructuring.

How is the solar energy industry coping with the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions?

SAFETY STANDARDS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN GERMANY AND LUXEMBOURG

The VDE 0100 series of standards for low-voltage installations is the most important frame of reference for the electrical installation industry in Germany and Luxembourg. It concerns the installation of new electrical installations as well as modifications and extensions to existing electrical installations.

The calculation methods used in the elec calc™ software are based on the safety requirements for people and property as defined in the VDE 0100 series of standards. The software takes into account protection against overcurrents and short-circuits, cable sizing on the basis of the power balance established in real-time from the single-line diagram of the installation. For designers of low-voltage electrical installations in Germany and Luxembourg, this is the assurance of a safe and compliant installation.

Learn more about this topic.

Safety standards for electrical installations (500x350)

Video

elec calc™ BIM – Electrical cable routing

Automatic cable routing facilitates the creation of a cable list and guarantees the optimization of lengths. It is possible to manage cable segregation and perform checks to validate the sizing of the cable trays.

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