Green Structures Speeds Development of Innovative Heat Recovery System

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — December 22, 2011 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has named UK-based Green Structures as Autodesk Inventor of the Month for December 2011, citing the company’s use of Autodesk Inventor software and a range of other Autodesk Digital Prototyping technology in transforming the way energy systems are planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated within the built environment.

Green Structures uses Autodesk Digital Prototyping software to transform the way the built environment's energy systems are planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated. (Photo: Business Wire)

As a member of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program — an initiative that provides Autodesk Digital Prototyping software to emerging and established clean tech companies for a small fee — Green Structures has rapidly created award-winning energy efficiency systems, particularly in the areas known as passive heat recovery ventilation and thermal energy storage.

The firm’s latest innovation, a heat recovery ventilation system called Ventive, works with existing chimneys to channel air and heat. This system contrasts with current mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems, which require that complex ductwork be installed throughout an entire building. Ventive can be installed in less than 30 minutes, providing a far faster and less expensive alternative for retrofitting buildings with the latest green technologies.

With help from the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program, Green Structures was able to upgrade its design capabilities to include Autodesk Inventor, as well as Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software, Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics software and Autodesk Revit Architecture software. Access to Autodesk Digital Prototyping technology provided a more controlled environment to test designs, helping to make the design process less costly, faster and with less guesswork.

“The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program provides us with world-class software,” said Thomas Lipinski, founder, managing director and CTO of Green Structures. “With access to the same professional tools as some of the United Kingdom’s largest manufacturers, we can further strengthen the quality and professionalism of our design process.”

Digital Prototyping Saves Time and Money

By using Autodesk Digital Prototyping software, Green Structures can better accelerate the prototyping process for its Ventive heat recovery ventilation system. The company used Autodesk Simulation software, for example, to run wind tunnel tests and heat transfer modeling, before carrying out appropriate redesigns. Since wind tunnel simulations in a professional facility cost approximately $1,550 (£1,000) per day, Green Structures significantly reduced the costs of fine-tuning its product by performing these tests digitally. Autodesk reseller, Envisage, helped provide training and support to enable Green Structures to more quickly implement Autodesk Digital Prototyping software in the design process.

“Autodesk Digital Prototyping technology is helping Green Structures save time and money as it brings its products to the marketplace,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. “By gaining key insights before anything has been built, the company can more effectively validate and optimize its innovative clean tech solutions.”

About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program

Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information about the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program, contact us at Email Contact.

About the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program

The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program supports the efforts, innovations and environmental advancements of clean technology pioneers, providing world-class software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas through Digital Prototyping. Clean tech companies in North America, Europe and Japan 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 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 Green Structures

Green Structures is a UK-based clean technology company working within the built environment to develop commercially attractive low carbon building solutions. For additional information, visit www.greenstructures.co.uk.

About Envisage

Envisage is a UK-based Autodesk reseller that supplies complete 2D and 3D CAD/CAM systems including hardware, networking and bespoke programming. For additional information, visit http://www.envisageuk.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com .