CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
8 February 2012
Implementation Investments
Hydrovolts Uses Autodesk Software to Create Plug-and-Play Water Turbines
Clean technology Hydrovolts is using software from Autodesk, Inc. to create hydrokinetic turbines that are more easily installed in rivers, canals and other waterways for faster generation of renewable energy. The company’s smaller turbines can be quickly installed and generating power in less than an hour.
Digital Prototyping Streamlines Product Development
As a member of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program— which provides software to established and emerging clean tech companies in North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore — Hydrovolts gained access to a variety of Digital Prototyping tools to help develop and optimize its turbines.
“Autodesk Inventor software and Autodesk Inventor Fusion software are invaluable tools for helping us digitally visualize and then revise our designs,” said Burt Hamner, CEO of Hydrovolts. “And by using the Eco Materials Adviser within Inventor, we can weigh all ecological impact together with performance and financial impacts of materials for our turbines. Autodesk technology is simply more efficient than anything we’ve tried.”
Using Inventor and Inventor Fusion on a recent project for the Bureau of Reclamation, a federal government agency, enabled Hydrovolts to accurately model a turbine for the proposed installation site, and then make appropriate changes to the prototype design in less than a week. Meanwhile, Autodesk Vault software provided complete document control, ensuring every iteration was recorded and traceable.
Smart Design Makes Turbines Easy to Use
Much of the speed of installation is due to the highly efficient design of the Hydrovolts turbines. All of the different classes of turbine have been engineered for easy “drop-in” installation — eliminating the need for dams or other permanent constructions. The turbines are held in place by mooring lines, while an output cable plugs directly into the power load onshore.
In addition, the Hydrovolts turbines are specifically engineered to easily accommodate different types of rotor blades for optimal efficiency in the existing current. This adaptability enables users to select the blade that can deliver the most power for the least cost, based on a waterway’s unique flow.
About the Clean Tech Partner Program
The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program supports the efforts, innovations and environmental advancements of clean technology pioneers, providing software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas through Digital Prototyping. Clean tech companies in North America, Europe, Japan, and Singapore are invited to apply to receive up to $150,000* worth of software for only $50. Access to a collection of Autodesk industry-leading software includes up to five licenses each of Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate, AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite, Autodesk Simulation Mechanical, Autodesk Inventor Publisher and Autodesk Vault Professional software. Get more information.
About Hydrovolts
Incorporated in 2007, Hydrovolts offers new in-stream hydrokinetic turbines for clean energy generation around the world.
*Value is based on up to five commercial licenses of each application.
Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.
Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.
CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.