TRNSYS Overview

TRNSYS (pronounced ‘tran–sis’) is an extremely flexible software tool used to simulate the performance of transient systems. Although most often the systems that we investigate are focused on energy, TRNSYS can equally well be used to model other dynamic systems such as traffic flow, or biological processes.

Engine and Interface:

At its heart, TRNSYS is a robust algebraic and differential equation solver that is able to read and process a text based input file. On top of this solution engine is stacked an impressive library of components that model everything from simple pumps to detailed multi-zone building; in short a component is anything whose outputs can be represented as a mathematical function of inputs (time-dependent values) and parameters (time independent values). TRNSYS is also endowed with a powerful graphical front end that makes the user’s job of assembling a detailed system simulation from component parts a simple endeavor – similar in nature to hooking up the pipes and wires in a real system.

Online Results:

In addition to its flexibility, TRNSYS is also a very transparent tool. Users can watch the value of ANY system variable on an online plot as the simulation progresses (any temperature, flow rate, heat transfer etc.). Output devices also allow the user great flexibility in integrating, printing, and reporting all component variables as well.

Components:

Because the structure of all components is the same, and because TRNSYS is distributed with its source code, users can and often do develop their own models, expanding the capabilities of the program to suit their needs. We have made heavy use of this feature in our consulting efforts and have written well over 500 components, many of which are cleaned up, fully documented, and are distributed in a series of 13 component libraries for TRNSYS.

TRNSED:

TRNSYS, while a very complex and vast simulation tool, is equipped with a feature that allows users to develop customized graphical interfaces for specific applications. Using this TRNSED feature, the TRNSYS user can create a web-page like interface that allows non-TRNSYS users to change system parameters, run simulations, and process output without having to learn the intricacies of the TRNSYS program.

For complete technical information about TRNSYS, please visit our sister site: http://www.trnsys.com.