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Phase-Change Material Thermal Energy Storage for the Smart Retrofitting of Existing Buildings

Author

Listed:
  • Eneja Osterman

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Claudio Del Pero

    (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Polytechnical University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Eva Zavrl

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Fabrizio Leonforte

    (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Polytechnical University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Niccolò Aste

    (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Polytechnical University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Uroš Stritih

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

This article presents the use of phase-change material (PCM) thermal storage within the Horizon 2020 HEART project (Holistic Energy and Architectural Retrofit Toolkit), aimed at decarbonising the European building sector through the retrofitting of existing structures into energy-efficient smart buildings. These buildings not only reduce energy consumption, but also incorporate advanced technologies for harnessing green energy, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. The HEART project employs state-of-the-art technologies for electricity production/dispatching and heat generation/storage, managed by a cloud-based platform for the real-time monitoring of parameters and optimising energy utilisation, enabling users to control their environmental comfort. The article provides a detailed examination of one of the project’s demonstration sites in Italy, focusing on various components such as heat pumps, photovoltaic systems (PV), controllers, and particularly emphasising the significance of storage tanks. The study involved the measurement and analysis of three heat storage tanks, each with a total volume of 3000 L. These tanks utilised PCM modules for latent heat storage, significantly enhancing overall heat accumulation. Water served as the heat transfer fluid within the tanks. Through meticulous calculations, the article quantifies the accumulated heat and presents a comparative evaluation between PCM-based storage tanks and conventional water tanks, showcasing the advantages of PCM technology in terms of increased heat retention and efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Eneja Osterman & Claudio Del Pero & Eva Zavrl & Fabrizio Leonforte & Niccolò Aste & Uroš Stritih, 2023. "Phase-Change Material Thermal Energy Storage for the Smart Retrofitting of Existing Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6127-:d:1222962
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Oró, E. & de Gracia, A. & Castell, A. & Farid, M.M. & Cabeza, L.F., 2012. "Review on phase change materials (PCMs) for cold thermal energy storage applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 513-533.
    2. Zauner, Christoph & Windholz, Bernd & Lauermann, Michael & Drexler-Schmid, Gerwin & Leitgeb, Thomas, 2020. "Development of an Energy Efficient Extrusion Factory employing a latent heat storage and a high temperature heat pump," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    3. Kutlu, Cagri & Zhang, Yanan & Elmer, Theo & Su, Yuehong & Riffat, Saffa, 2020. "A simulation study on performance improvement of solar assisted heat pump hot water system by novel controllable crystallization of supercooled PCMs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 601-612.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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