TRNSYS dynamic simulation model of a typical air-handling unit: experimental calibration and validation based on field operation data in the south of Italy

Building sector is responsible for about 36% of global final energy use and Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems are in charge of about 50÷60% of building sector’s energy demand. In this paper, a detailed dynamic simulation model of a typical HVAC system including a single duct dual-fan constant air volume Air-Handling Unit (AHU) has been developed via the TRaNsient SYStems software platform (TRNSYS 18). The simulation outputs have been compared with field operation data measured during 14 experiments performed with reference to a fully instrumented HVAC set-up serving the SENS i-Lab of the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli (Aversa, south of Italy). The comparison has been carried out to validate and assess the simulation model accuracy. The results highlighted a high capability of the developed model in simulating the experimental behaviour, with maximum percentage differences between the predicted and experimental values up to -6.0%, 18.3%, -9.1%, -10.6%, -15.3% in terms of heating coil energy, cooling coil energy, humidifier electric demand, heat pump electric consumption and refrigerating system electricity request, respectively.