Streamlining Hydraulic Modeling in Canada: KWL Engineering’s Success with Fluidit Heat

May 2023

At the heart of every successful engineering venture is the right tool for the job at hand. For Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd. (KWL), an award-winning Canadian-based engineering consulting firm, the critical hydraulic modeling tool has been Fluidit Heat with dynamic modeling capabilities. For Amber MacNeill, the Hydraulic Modeling Lead for KWL’s district energy team, Fluidit Heat has proven a valuable addition to the team’s engineering toolbox.

“The connection between KWL and Fluidit emerged from a reference at the University of Virginia. Upon initial contact with Fluidit, my first impressions were positive, noting the company’s responsive, helpful support and the user-friendliness of the Fluidit Heat model.”

Fluidit Heat in Action

Amber and her team have since used Fluidit Heat in a few projects. A standout instance involved managing significant elevation changes, reviewing pumping requirements, and pressure set points. Through Fluidit Heat, they identified potential issues and constraints, effectively guiding their client’s decisions on system expansion and seasonal operations. In addition, she was able to balance multiple plants and plan and size the network for a new project. Such efficiency and accuracy would have been challenging without Fluidit Heat’s support.

Amber has also used Fluidit Heat for projects that demand efficiency over intricate GIS maps. The software’s versatile background layers and visualization features have allowed the team to produce memo-ready screenshots, streamlining their processes.

A Step Ahead of the Competition

Amber praises Fluidit’s support and customer service for being helpful and prompt. The initial setup was easy, and the support team proved instrumental in familiarizing her with the software. Whenever Amber could not find answers in the support resources, she received prompt responses from Fluidit’s specialists, allowing her to keep her projects on track. Even with time zone differences, Fluidit’s remote support didn’t cause any delays in Amber’s project work.

Fluidit also proved to be highly responsive to development feedback. When Amber mentioned that auto-pipe sizing would be a useful feature, Fluidit implemented it in a subsequent software upgrade.

“Compared to other hydraulic modeling software and services, Fluidit Heat’s graphical user interface stands out. The excellent customer and technical support, complemented by an invaluable wiki, have set Fluidit Heat apart.”

The Fluidit Advantage

Amber can’t speak definitively about the Return On Investment (ROI) or cost savings by KWL due to the use of Fluidit Heat. However, the reliability, accuracy, and user-friendly nature of Fluidit Heat have minimized human error in the initial modeling stages, leading to more reliable results from the get-go. The software also enables efficient review and modifications, accelerating the attainment of accurate results.

As for recommendations, Amber would definitely endorse Fluidit Heat to other utility and engineering companies. She believes that Fluidit’s care for its software, services, and customers is evident, and that it has consistently met KWL’s modeling and service expectations. In a world where the right tool can make all the difference, Fluidit Heat is making its mark.

If you’re interested in learning how Fluidit Heat can elevate your district heating or cooling projects, reach out to us at sales@fluidit.com or fill out the contact form.