Review on PCM Application for Cooling Load Reduction in Indian Buildings

Abstract

Buildings use more than 40% of the total power consumed in India. Therefore, implementing energy conservation within buildings is of prime concern. Utilization of passive design parameters, such as Phase Change Material (PCM) incorporation, for energy conservation in buildings is thus a lucrative option. Incorporating PCMs within elements result in lowering of heat gain and temperature within the building. A number of simulation and experimental studies on PCM incorporated buildings, have been carried out. The advancements made in last forty years in the field of PCMs and their utilization as Thermal Energy Storage (TES) medium for buildings have been reviewed and presented in this study. This study focusses on PCM incorporation which is sensitive to its properties and climatic parameters of the location. Thus, there is a need of benchmarking the PCM for their application in buildings. Focus is on buildings in tropical hot climatic conditions, where reduction in cooling load is a challenge. This study lays emphasis on selection of appropriate PCMs based on its phase change temperature. Thermal conductivity, specific heat and latent heat are other properties which must be evaluated before PCM selection and implementation within buildings. The study also encompasses different methods of PCM incorporation being implemented across the world and have marked advantages and disadvantages of each followed by their impact in terms of energy savings.