CHIDI Leverages Dassault Systèmes PLM Solution to Build World-Class Hydropower Plants

CATIA, ENOVIA and 3DVIA Software to Enhance 3D Design and Collaboration

Beijing, China, October 21, 2009 — Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that HydroChina Chengdu Engineering Corporation (CHIDI), one of China’s largest hydropower investigation and design enterprises, has successfully implemented Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solutions to facilitate investigation, design, and collaborative management of hydropower plants. By leveraging Dassault Systèmes, CHIDI has significantly shortened project timelines, reduced total costs, and improved the collaboration between cross-functional teams of designers and engineers. CHIDI has also been able to leverage Dassault Systèmes’ 3D capabilities to provide more lifelike insights into online modelling and designs, facilitating greater collaboration with suppliers and ensuring the feasibility of the design process.

CHIDI, which is recognized as one of the world’s major hydropower R&D organizations, has played an intrinsic role in the design and development of many of China’s most famous hydropower plants, including Ertan Hydropower Plant, currently the highest dam and largest hydropower plant built in Asia, Xiluodu Hydropower Plant on the Jinsha River, the world's second largest hydropower plant, and Jinping Stage 1 Hydropower Station, the world's highest arch dam with a height of 305m. To expand its reach and reputation, CHIDI decided to implement a PLM solution to improve its design quality and overall project management proficiency.

CHIDI has adopted a comprehensive array of Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solutions since 2006. To drive the collaborative design and 3D elements of plant engineering (including feasibility studies, super-standard and technical construction design), the company has leveraged CATIA. The CATIA solution, which has been utilized in the development of Xiluodu and Jinping Stage 1 Hydropower projects, has ensured precise communication and accurate information exchange across multiple functions and sites which has helped to reduce design errors, thus reducing delays, improving design quality and minimizing costs (in terms of time and materials). In order to drive greater collaboration with suppliers as well as strategic procurement and project management CHIDI has also deployed Dassault Systèmes’ ENOVIA collaborative business process platform. In addition, CHIDI is using 3DVIA Composer to produce 3D documentation for publications, ensuring effective communication with proprietors and construction units.

“There are so many mission critical elements to building a hydropower project that it’s essential for us to have access to the most advanced equipment and software solutions. Our ability to be able to design and implement new, fail safe projects on time and to budget are ultimately key for us maintaining our status as a world leader in this field,” said Zheng Sheng’an, President for CHIDI. “To date Dassault Systèmes has demonstrated an ability to understand the challenges that we face and provides us with solutions that anticipate changes in the market – most notably in the use of 3D technology and greater collaboration.”

“China’s emergence as the world’s largest producer of hydropower provides Dassault Systèmes’ with a unique opportunity to help the industry leaders shape future product and engineering developments,” said Zhao Heng, vice president, Dassault Systèmes Greater China. “Through close collaboration with CHIDI and with our advanced PLM solutions, we are dedicated to supporting China’s hydropower industry to further improve its design and innovation capabilities and accelerate the entire industry’s advancement and growth.”

Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solution is already being used successfully in the hydropower industry worldwide. Hydro-Quebec in Canada and Voith Siemens, an internationally renowned hydropower equipment maker, have both chosen Dassault Systèmes’ PLM solutions to perform product lifecycle management for 3D design, digital construction and maintenance of their hydropower plants.