Powered by U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergyPlus Engine, Software Will Help Firm Create Better-Performing, More-Sustainable Residential and Commercial Complex

EXTON, Pa. – Feb. 17, 2010 – Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading company dedicated to providing comprehensive software solutions for the infrastructure that sustains our world, today announced that Vital Engineering Corporation, a mechanical engineering consulting firm focused on sustainability, has selected Bentley’s Hevacomp Simulator V8i building energy simulation software to perform energy analysis on the $80 million, mixed-use Station Pointe complex in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and achieve net-zero energy impact. Project success hinges on the team’s ability to meet the energy requirements for this immense complex, which in its current conceptual state contains a multi-story condominium, townhouse buildings, and a 16-story residential tower. Hevacomp Simulator V8i will be used to perform energy analysis for 200-plus living units and commercial establishments on the ground level to help the firm create a better-performing, more-sustainable building complex.

The limitations of its current energy modeling software led Vital Engineering to examine several energy modeling packages. It determined that Hevacomp Simulator V8i, with its EnergyPlus analysis engine developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, is the most robust energy modeling package on the market. It also cited Bentley’s excellent support of its Hevacomp software and future plans for expanding the capabilities of the graphical interface as major factors in its selection of Hevacomp Simulator V8i for this and future projects.

“We did an internal investigation of all currently available energy-modeling tools and concluded that Hevacomp would best suit our needs now and into the future,” said Jacob Komar, energy modeling team lead, Vital Engineering. “The consensus was that EnergyPlus is a robust engine that performs hydronics very well. As a geothermal engineering firm, this is very important to us. Hevacomp’s capabilities and its front-end interface with EnergyPlus weighed heavily in our decision.”

Komar continued, “While Hevacomp Simulator is new to the North American market, the knowledge that it is the U.K.’s leading simulation software was also a factor in our adoption of this technology. Moreover, Bentley’s role in further developing the technology makes us confident that the many capabilities and excellent value it already provides will only increase. For now, we look forward to enjoying a good return on our investment in this innovative software as it helps us effectively meet our energy modeling and analysis challenges.”

Vital Engineering expects to begin energy analysis on Station Pointe in mid 2010. In the interim, Komar said, the design team will begin in-depth training on Hevacomp Simulator and use the software on a number of LEED projects it is currently designing.

Hevacomp Simulator V8i, along with Hevacomp Mechanical Designer V8i and Bentley Tas Simulator V8i, is part of Bentley’s Energy Performance Series. This robust software for building energy design, analysis, and simulation makes it possible for engineers, architects, and energy assessors to better understand and accurately predict the energy consumption, CO2 emissions, operating costs, and occupant comfort of projects ranging from small and simple to very large and highly complex. Bentley’s Energy Performance Series has been proven in the very demanding U.K. market for the design and construction of high performance “green” buildings and now supports United States and Canadian standards.

For additional information about Bentley’s Energy Performance Series, visit www.bentley.com/green.

About Vital Engineering Corporation

Vital Engineering understands that “sustainability” is a complex process with unique challenges. That is why it is committed to guiding its clients through the process of sustainable development. From efficient traditional design to innovative alternative energy systems, Vital Engineering offers a balanced approach.
Vital Engineering works proactively with individuals, developers, architects, communities, businesses, and municipalities. Its knowledge of available funding mechanisms and its inherently conservative designs can bring anyone closer to living and working with less waste and energy. This integrated design process results in the lowest building life cycle cost and the healthiest buildings.

Vital Engineering believes that sustainable development comes through changes that enhance our quality of life. By listening to its clients Vital Engineering brings clarity to a complicated process and delivers quality results. For additional information about Vital Engineering, visit www.conserv.ca.

About Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Bentley is the global leader dedicated to providing architects, engineers, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure. Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 2,700 colleagues and offices in more than 45 countries, achieved in 2008 the milestone of $500 million in revenues, and, since 1995, has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions.

For additional information about Bentley, visit www.bentley.com. To subscribe to an RSS feed of Bentley press releases and news alerts, visit www.bentley.com/rss/news. To view a searchable collection of innovative infrastructure projects from the annual Be Inspired Awards, visit www.bentley.com/yearininfrastructure. For information about Be Communities, a professional networking site that enables members of the infrastructure community to connect, communicate, and learn from each other, visit http://communities.bentley.com.
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