Simulation plays a critical role in developing new technologies. Technologies that power our world using renewable sources are no exception. These technologies provide that energy with the added challenge of reducing reliance on non-renewable resources such as oil and natural gas.
AltaSim Technologies, based in Worthington, Ohio, stands out as a leading provider of multiphysics simulation. Since its establishment in 2002, AltaSim Technologies has been at the forefront of enabling its clients to explore, develop, and implement innovative solutions. Their unique blend of engineering technology and advanced computational and multiphysics analysis capabilities sets them apart, allowing them to tackle the intricate combinations of technology required in today’s new products and processes.
Dr. Kyle Koppenhoefer, president of AltaSim Technologies, and Joshua Thomas, senior engineer at AltaSim Technologies, are excited to present a free webinar, Multiphysics Simulation to Improve Design of Renewable Energy Production. This webinar, scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2024, will provide a unique opportunity to gain insights into advanced simulation modeling and its applications in the renewable energy sector. 
“We want the audience to leave fully understanding the modeling we created to represent a pretty complex system,” said Koppenhoefer. “They will see the geothermal heating loop we designed with piping that goes down thousands of feet into the Earth and runs along the equivalent of several football fields. The water heats up and turns into steam; the steam drives a turbine, producing electricity. Through this modeling, electricity can now be provided to remote areas that were previously unreachable by conventional means.”
Before the era of computational simulations, determining design feasibility and capabilities would often take years. Today, engineers are overcoming this challenge by leveraging advanced computational simulations. These simulations not only expedite the process of testing new ideas but also foster a culture of creative problem-solving, making them an indispensable tool in the engineering arsenal.
Many renewable engineering sources contain multiple physics (e.g., mechanical, thermal, fluid flow, and phase changes) operating concurrently, making multiphysics simulation an excellent tool for simulating the different aspects of renewable energy production.
Koppenhoefer and Thomas treat the audience to a live demonstration of heat transfer simulation, including phase changes, using the COMSOL Multiphysics® software. They will show you how:
- Multiphysics simulation captures the physical behavior of heat transfer better than single-physics simulations
- Engineers can conduct experiments that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive
- Engineers will improve their understanding of the production of energy using renewable sources
- Companies can reduce the time and cost required to develop new methods of producing renewable energy
“We use advanced modeling techniques to get this simulation to work,” Koppenhoefer said. “The pipe is only 12 inches in diameter and goes a mile into the Earth. That is a very long run for a tiny pipe. Because we are talking more conceptually, I think that it is essential for audiences that are not versed in using simulations to make sure this is a good design in the ideation phase – to make it better in later phases – but for now, you want to know you are in the ballpark.”
Koppenhoefer said that when time is a luxury unavailable to engineers, this simulation is the best way to validate a design quickly. The webinar is designed to help engineers use the simulation to their advantage in several situations, giving attendees the practical knowledge they need to apply these techniques in their work. It focuses on green energy and geothermal solutions, which are of general interest to most people. It will be of great interest to engineers who are curious about simulation.
“And it is the curious people who move the world forward,” said Koppenhoefer, hoping to inspire the audience to embrace their curiosity and use it to drive innovation in their work.
Please sign up for the webinar today and join us at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 25, for an exciting and informative presentation from two of the top simulation engineers in the field.
AltaSim guides engineers through multiphysics simulations to bring their products to market more rapidly, at a lower cost, and with an optimized design.