IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v353y2024ipbs0306261923013971.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A novel method to evaluate phase change materials' impact on buildings' energy, economic, and environmental performance via controlled natural ventilation

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmad, Abrar
  • Memon, Shazim Ali

Abstract

The construction industry consumes a significant portion of global energy, with space conditioning in buildings accounting for a substantial 34% of energy usage. Notably, the energy consumption of a building is significantly influenced by its envelope. Researchers widely acknowledge that incorporating phase change materials (PCM) into the building envelope is a promising way to enhance energy efficiency and mitigate CO2 emissions in the building sector, owing to their high latent heat capacity. However, PCM must be completely charged after each cycle to exploit its full potential. Natural ventilation is a viable technique to facilitate the charging and discharging cycle of PCM within a 24-h period. To this end, the present study utilized EnergyPlus simulations to optimize the cooling energy savings of a residential building incorporating PCM into its envelope for PCM melting temperatures, considering various ventilation strategies across 45 cities in 15 climate zones worldwide. In order to evaluate the latent heat utilization of PCM and its improvement facilitated by natural ventilation, two novel indicators, namely HS and HR, were formulated to represent the heat stored and released by PCM during a 24-h cycle, respectively. In addition, following an economic analysis of PCM integration, a comprehensive environmental evaluation was carried out, which included the carbon intensities (CI) of all fuel sources contributing to power generation. The study's findings reveal substantial energy savings across all climate zones when controlled natural ventilation is coupled with PCM, and the newly proposed indicators precisely quantify the performance of PCM in all scenarios evaluated. In the arid climate zone (A), combining PCM and natural ventilation enhances energy savings, albeit to a similar extent as using ventilation alone. However, the integration of PCM with temperature-controlled ventilation yields striking energy reductions of up to 72.8%, 85.3%, and 61% in arid (B), warm temperate (C), and snow (D) climate zones, respectively. The cost-benefit analysis reveals a minimal return period of as short as five years in climate zone C. In the same climate zone C, the in-depth environmental analysis reveals a maximal reduction of 42,004 CO2-e kg/year in carbon emissions. In conclusion, this research study demonstrated that integrating PCM with controlled natural ventilation offers a practical, sustainable, and cost-effective solution with eco-friendly and energy-efficient outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmad, Abrar & Memon, Shazim Ali, 2024. "A novel method to evaluate phase change materials' impact on buildings' energy, economic, and environmental performance via controlled natural ventilation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PB).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:353:y:2024:i:pb:s0306261923013971
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.122033
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261923013971
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.122033?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mi, Xuming & Liu, Ran & Cui, Hongzhi & Memon, Shazim Ali & Xing, Feng & Lo, Yiu, 2016. "Energy and economic analysis of building integrated with PCM in different cities of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 324-336.
    2. Park, Ji Hun & Berardi, Umberto & Chang, Seong Jin & Wi, Seunghwan & Kang, Yujin & Kim, Sumin, 2021. "Energy retrofit of PCM-applied apartment buildings considering building orientation and height," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    3. Piselli, Cristina & Prabhakar, Mohit & de Gracia, Alvaro & Saffari, Mohammad & Pisello, Anna Laura & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2020. "Optimal control of natural ventilation as passive cooling strategy for improving the energy performance of building envelope with PCM integration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 171-181.
    4. Adilkhanova, Indira & Memon, Shazim Ali & Kim, Jong & Sheriyev, Almas, 2021. "A novel approach to investigate the thermal comfort of the lightweight relocatable building integrated with PCM in different climates of Kazakhstan during summertime," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    5. Saffari, Mohammad & de Gracia, Alvaro & Fernández, Cèsar & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2017. "Simulation-based optimization of PCM melting temperature to improve the energy performance in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 420-434.
    6. Barzin, Reza & Chen, John J.J. & Young, Brent R. & Farid, Mohammed M., 2015. "Application of PCM energy storage in combination with night ventilation for space cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 412-421.
    7. Lei, Jiawei & Yang, Jinglei & Yang, En-Hua, 2016. "Energy performance of building envelopes integrated with phase change materials for cooling load reduction in tropical Singapore," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 207-217.
    8. Kong, Xiangfei & Jie, Pengfei & Yao, Chengqiang & Liu, Yun, 2017. "Experimental study on thermal performance of phase change material passive and active combined using for building application in winter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 293-302.
    9. Ramakrishnan, Sayanthan & Wang, Xiaoming & Sanjayan, Jay & Wilson, John, 2017. "Thermal performance of buildings integrated with phase change materials to reduce heat stress risks during extreme heatwave events," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 410-421.
    10. Almas Sheriyev & Shazim Ali Memon & Indira Adilkhanova & Jong Kim, 2021. "Effect of Phase Change Materials on the Thermal Performance of Residential Building Located in Different Cities of a Tropical Rainforest Climate Zone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, May.
    11. Oropeza-Perez, Ivan & Østergaard, Poul Alberg, 2014. "Energy saving potential of utilizing natural ventilation under warm conditions – A case study of Mexico," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 20-32.
    12. Kenisarin, Murat & Mahkamov, Khamid, 2016. "Passive thermal control in residential buildings using phase change materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 371-398.
    13. Bimaganbetova, Madina & Memon, Shazim Ali & Sheriyev, Almas, 2020. "Performance evaluation of phase change materials suitable for cities representing the whole tropical savanna climate region," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 402-416.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lamrani, B. & Johannes, K. & Kuznik, F., 2021. "Phase change materials integrated into building walls: An updated review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Kabdrakhmanova, Marzhan & Memon, Shazim Ali & Saurbayeva, Assemgul, 2021. "Implementation of the panel data regression analysis in PCM integrated buildings located in a humid subtropical climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    3. Adilkhanova, Indira & Memon, Shazim Ali & Kim, Jong & Sheriyev, Almas, 2021. "A novel approach to investigate the thermal comfort of the lightweight relocatable building integrated with PCM in different climates of Kazakhstan during summertime," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    4. de Gracia, Alvaro, 2019. "Dynamic building envelope with PCM for cooling purposes – Proof of concept," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1245-1253.
    5. Bimaganbetova, Madina & Memon, Shazim Ali & Sheriyev, Almas, 2020. "Performance evaluation of phase change materials suitable for cities representing the whole tropical savanna climate region," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 402-416.
    6. Gohar Gholamibozanjani & Mohammed Farid, 2021. "A Critical Review on the Control Strategies Applied to PCM-Enhanced Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-39, March.
    7. Zeyad Amin Al-Absi & Mohd Hafizal Mohd Isa & Mazran Ismail, 2020. "Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and Their Optimum Position in Building Walls," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-25, February.
    8. Punita Sangwan & Hooman Mehdizadeh-Rad & Anne Wai Man Ng & Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman Tariq & Raphael Chukwuka Nnachi, 2022. "Performance Evaluation of Phase Change Materials to Reduce the Cooling Load of Buildings in a Tropical Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, March.
    9. Saafi, Khawla & Daouas, Naouel, 2019. "Energy and cost efficiency of phase change materials integrated in building envelopes under Tunisia Mediterranean climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    10. Li, Weilin & Jing, Mingyi & Li, Rufei & Gao, Junxi & Zhu, Jiayin & Li, Ruixin, 2023. "Study of the optimal placement of phase change materials in existing buildings for cooling load reduction - Take the Central Plain of China as an example," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 71-84.
    11. Yan, Tian & Zhou, Xuan & Xu, Xinhua & Yu, Jinghua & Li, Xianting, 2022. "Parametric analysis on performances of the pipe-encapsulated PCM (PenPCM) wall system coupled with gravity heat-pipe and nocturnal radiant cooler," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 161-180.
    12. Xu, Bin & Xie, Xing & Pei, Gang & Chen, Xing-ni, 2020. "New view point on the effect of thermal conductivity on phase change materials based on novel concepts of relative depth of activation and time rate of activation: The case study on a top floor room," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    13. Wijesuriya, Sajith & Brandt, Matthew & Tabares-Velasco, Paulo Cesar, 2018. "Parametric analysis of a residential building with phase change material (PCM)-enhanced drywall, precooling, and variable electric rates in a hot and dry climate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 497-514.
    14. Al-Yasiri, Qudama & Szabó, Márta, 2022. "Energetic and thermal comfort assessment of phase change material passively incorporated building envelope in severe hot Climate: An experimental study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    15. Shen, Yongliang & Liu, Shuli & Mazhar, Abdur Rehman & Han, Xiaojing & Yang, Liu & Yang, Xiu'e, 2021. "A review of solar-driven short-term low temperature heat storage systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    16. Liu, Jiang & Liu, Yan & Yang, Liu & Liu, Tang & Zhang, Chen & Dong, Hong, 2020. "Climatic and seasonal suitability of phase change materials coupled with night ventilation for office buildings in Western China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 356-373.
    17. Saffari, Mohammad & de Gracia, Alvaro & Fernández, Cèsar & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2017. "Simulation-based optimization of PCM melting temperature to improve the energy performance in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 420-434.
    18. Mukhamet, Tileuzhan & Kobeyev, Sultan & Nadeem, Abid & Memon, Shazim Ali, 2021. "Ranking PCMs for building façade applications using multi-criteria decision-making tools combined with energy simulations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PB).
    19. Almas Sheriyev & Shazim Ali Memon & Indira Adilkhanova & Jong Kim, 2021. "Effect of Phase Change Materials on the Thermal Performance of Residential Building Located in Different Cities of a Tropical Rainforest Climate Zone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, May.
    20. Nurlybekova, Gauhar & Memon, Shazim Ali & Adilkhanova, Indira, 2021. "Quantitative evaluation of the thermal and energy performance of the PCM integrated building in the subtropical climate zone for current and future climate scenario," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:353:y:2024:i:pb:s0306261923013971. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.