[TRNSYS-users] trnsys 16 and linux

[Michaël Kummert]

Benoit,

> We plan to carry out a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of our energy 
> system. Since one whole-year simulation takes over 8 hours, we would 
> like to make use of our cluster of computers to have TRNSYS 16 running 
> in parallel on different machines (in accordance with our number of 
> licenses).
> 
> I would like to inquire if there is any experience with compiling TRNSYS 
> 16 under Linux out there (preferably using Intel Visual Fortran 
> Compiler). We plan to use the open source type 56.
> 

Although it is theoretically possible to recompile TRNSYS 16 under Linux 
  by getting rid of everything that is Windows-related in the code 
(which includes the multi-dll feature, etc.), it is likely to be a 
time-consuming and frustrating process. It is not on the developers' 
priority list at this time because previous users surveys indicated a 
low interest for that feature.

On the bright side, I may have an alternative for you if you can find a 
pool of Windows machines: you can use a program called CONDOR, which 
distributes computing tasks among computers. Condor runs under Windows 
(as well as linux and other OSses). You can download Condor for free and 
find more information at: http://www.cs.wisc.edu/condor/

Setting up Condor to run on a pool of PC's and setting up TRNSYS 16 to 
run on that Condor pool is not a trivial task but it has been done here 
at the lab. I am sending you in a separate email a short document that 
explains the steps that were taken. I did not send it to the list 
because it is far from being perfect (for one thing it is based on a 
beta version of TRNSYS 16 and a previous version of Condor). But if you 
are ready to go through some "tuning", it should make a good starting 
point. If other users are interested, please contact me off list. In a 
perfect world, one day a cleaned and checked version of that document 
will be posted to the TRNSYS website.

Kind regards,

Michaël Kummert


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_________________________________________________________

Michaël Kummert

Solar Energy Laboratory - University of Wisconsin-Madison
1303 Engr Res Bldg, 1500 Engineering Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Tel: +1 (608) 263-1589
Fax: +1 (608) 262-8464
E-mail: kummert at engr.wisc.edu

SEL Web Site: http://sel.me.wisc.edu
TRNSYS Web Site: http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys