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Phase Change Materials in Transparent Building Envelopes: A Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Ilaria Vigna

    (Energy Department, TEBE Research Group, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Lorenza Bianco

    (Energy Department, TEBE Research Group, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Francesco Goia

    (Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Valentina Serra

    (Energy Department, TEBE Research Group, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

Building envelopes can play a crucial role in building improvement efficiency, and the adoption of Phase Change Materials (PCMs), coupled with transparent elements, may: (i) allow a better control of the heat flows from/to the outdoor environment, (ii) increase the exploitation of solar energy at a building scale and (iii) modulate light transmission in order to prevent glare effects. Starting from a literature review, focused on experimental works, this research identifies the main possible integrations of PCMs in transparent/translucent building envelope components (in glazing, in shutters and in multilayer façade system) in order to draw a global picture of the potential and limitations of these technologies. Transparent envelopes with PCMs have been classified from the simplest “zero” technology, which integrates the PCM in a double glass unit (DGU), to more complex solutions—with a different number of glass cavities (triple glazed unit TGU), different positions of the PCM layer (internal/external shutter), and in combination with other materials (TIM, aerogel, prismatic solar reflector, PCM curtain controlled by an electric pump). The results of the analysis have been summarised in a Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis table to underline the strengths and weaknesses of transparent building envelope components with PCMs, and to indicate opportunities and threats for future research and building applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilaria Vigna & Lorenza Bianco & Francesco Goia & Valentina Serra, 2018. "Phase Change Materials in Transparent Building Envelopes: A Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:111-:d:125342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhou, D. & Zhao, C.Y. & Tian, Y., 2012. "Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCMs) in building applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 593-605.
    2. Silva, Tiago & Vicente, Romeu & Rodrigues, Fernanda, 2016. "Literature review on the use of phase change materials in glazing and shading solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 515-535.
    3. Silva, Tiago & Vicente, Romeu & Amaral, Cláudia & Figueiredo, António, 2016. "Thermal performance of a window shutter containing PCM: Numerical validation and experimental analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 64-84.
    4. Tatsidjodoung, Parfait & Le Pierrès, Nolwenn & Luo, Lingai, 2013. "A review of potential materials for thermal energy storage in building applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 327-349.
    5. Sharma, Atul & Tyagi, V.V. & Chen, C.R. & Buddhi, D., 2009. "Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 318-345, February.
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    2. Gao, Yuan & Zheng, Qiye & Jonsson, Jacob C. & Lubner, Sean & Curcija, Charlie & Fernandes, Luis & Kaur, Sumanjeet & Kohler, Christian, 2021. "Parametric study of solid-solid translucent phase change materials in building windows," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
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    5. Jan Fořt & Jiří Šál & Jan Kočí & Robert Černý, 2020. "Energy Efficiency of Novel Interior Surface Layer with Improved Thermal Characteristics and Its Effect on Hygrothermal Performance of Contemporary Building Envelopes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    6. Michał Musiał & Lech Lichołai & Dušan Katunský, 2023. "Modern Thermal Energy Storage Systems Dedicated to Autonomous Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-28, May.
    7. Agnieszka Piotrowska-Kirschling & Katarzyna Szelągowska-Rudzka & Jakub Karczewski & Joanna Brzeska, 2021. "Application of Shrimp Waste for the Synthesis of Polyurethane–Chitosan Materials with Potential Use in Sorption of Oil Micro-Spills in Water Treatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, May.
    8. Arranz, Beatriz & Ruiz-Valero, Letzai & González, Marlix Pérez & Sánchez, Sergio Vega, 2020. "Comprehensive experimental assessment of an industrialized modular innovative active glazing and heat recovery system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    9. Luigi Giovannini & Francesco Goia & Valerio R. M. Lo Verso & Valentina Serra, 2018. "A Comparative Analysis of the Visual Comfort Performance between a PCM Glazing and a Conventional Selective Double Glazed Unit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, October.
    10. Daniel del Barrio Alvarez & Masahiro Sugiyama, 2020. "A SWOT Analysis of Utility-Scale Solar in Myanmar," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    11. Lucrezia Ravasio & Rajnish Kaur Calay & Raymond Riise, 2021. "Simplified Thermal Performance Evaluation of a PCM-Filled Triple-Glazed Window under Arctic Climate Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, December.

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