Dassault Systèmes Helps Kyushu University Accelerate Development of Advanced Wind-Power System

CATIA Increases Efficiency in Wind Turbine Blade Modeling by Six Times and Improves Simulation Accuracy with Sophisticated 3D Models

TOKYO, September 15, 2010 – Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM), Kyushu University, a leading Japanese academic research institution, has successfully implemented Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solutions for its advanced R&D project – “The Development of Shrouded Wind Turbine with Wind-Lens Technology” – to significantly improve research efficiency and accuracy.
 
Global wind-power capacity is poised to grow almost threefold to nearly 450 gigawatts (GW) over the next five years, according to BTM, a Danish wind-power consultancy. As the deployment of wind power generators has significantly increased in many countries, Japan is facing major challenges due to frequent changes in wind direction, which make it difficult to generate stable power with existing systems. In order to come up with solutions, the RIAM, Kyushu University has been conducting an R&D project to develop a shrouded wind turbine.

The RIAM, Kyushu University previously designed and evaluated the wind turbine blade based on results from wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics analysis. However, with the previous design software, blade modeling usually took a long time and delayed the R&D process. After using Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA software solution, working hours for 3D modeling was reduced from more than three days to only half a day. In addition, the time for adjusting 3D models and calculation for simulation was also drastically decreased.

“Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA enables us to conduct accurate analysis with more detailed and sophisticated 3D models,” said Assistant Professor Takanori Uchida, the RIAM, Kyushu University. “We are convinced that CATIA will highly benefit our project with its proven capability recognized by a major number of companies in the wind-power sector around the world.”

"Dassault Systèmes is dedicated to providing 3D PLM solutions for sustainable living. We are delighted to see the successful implementation of CATIA at an advanced academic institution such as the RIAM, Kyushu University," said Tomohiko Suetsugu, president, Japan, Dassault Systèmes. "We will continue to bring in world-leading technologies and best practices to support the advancement of the energy sector in Japan.”