A potential remedy for the problems of peak cooling loads and thermal discomfort in high-rise buildings is the use of phase change materials (PCMs) into building envelopes. This study explores the potential of PCMs to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort by reducing heat gain and moderating indoor temperature fluctuations. The paper investigates various PCM types, integration methods, and their impact on building performance through simulations and experimental analysis. The findings highlight the effectiveness of PCMs in shifting peak cooling loads, reducing energy consumption, and creating a more stable and comfortable indoor environment. The study also addresses key considerations for PCM implementation, including material selection, encapsulation techniques, and optimal placement within the building envelope. By leveraging the thermal storage capabilities of PCMs, this paper contributes to the development of sustainable and resilient high-rise buildings that offer improved energy performance and occupant well-being. High-rise buildings face significant challenges in terms of energy consumption and occupant comfort, particularly in regions with hot climates. A considerable portion of energy use in these buildings is attributed to cooling systems, which are often strained to manage peak loads during hot weather. Traditional building envelope designs may not adequately address these challenges, necessitating the exploration of innovative solutions. This study investigates the potential of incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) into building envelopes to reduce peak cooling loads and enhance thermal comfort within high-rise structures.

Keywords: Phase change materials (PCMs), high-rise buildings, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, peak cooling loads, sustainable design

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1. Kuznik F, Virgone J, Johannes K. Development of a new PCM wallboard for building applications. Energy Build. 2008;40(2):182–9.
2. Zhou D, Zhao X, Tian Y. Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCMs) in building applications. Appl Energy. 2012;92:593–605.
3. Al-Saadi S, Zhai Z, Zhang Z. Integration of phase change materials into building enclosure structures for enhanced thermal performance: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2014;32:52–63.
4. Huang MJ, Eames PC, Norton B. Thermal regulation of building-integrated photovoltaics using phase change materials. Int J Heat Mass Transfer. 2006;49(15–16):2715–33.
5. Lee TY, Medina MA. Experimental investigation of a phase change material integrated building envelope system for passive and active thermal energy storage. Appl Therm Eng. 2016;102:802–11.
6. Akeiber H, Nejat P, Majid MA, Wahid MA, Jomehzadeh F, Zeynali Famileh I, et al. A review on phase change material (PCM) for sustainable passive cooling in building envelopes. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2016;60:1470–97.
7. Cabeza LF, Castell A, Barreneche C, de Gracia A, Fernández AI. Materials used as PCM in thermal energy storage in buildings: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;39:423–35.
8. Pasupathy A, Velraj R, Seeniraj RV, Hafner B. Experimental investigation and numerical simulation analysis on the thermal performance of a building roof incorporating phase change material (PCM). Energy Build. 2008;40(2):54–62.
9. Jeong SG, Kim SH, Mumma SA. Experimental study of latent heat thermal energy storage in a concrete ceiling panel using phase change material. Build Environ. 2005;40(7):867–76.
10. Konuklu Y, Ostryakov V, Paksoy HÖ. The effects of macro-encapsulated phase change material incorporated to lightweight concrete blocks on thermal insulation properties of building envelopes. Energy Build. 2017;144:130–41.

A potential remedy for the problems of peak cooling loads and thermal discomfort in high-rise buildings is the use of phase change materials (PCMs) into building envelopes. This study explores the potential of PCMs to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort by reducing heat gain and moderating indoor temperature fluctuations. The paper investigates various PCM types, integration methods, and their impact on building performance through simulations and experimental analysis. The findings highlight the effectiveness of PCMs in shifting peak cooling loads, reducing energy consumption, and creating a more stable and comfortable indoor environment. The study also addresses key considerations for PCM implementation, including material selection, encapsulation techniques, and optimal placement within the building envelope. By leveraging the thermal storage capabilities of PCMs, this paper contributes to the development of sustainable and resilient high-rise buildings that offer improved energy performance and occupant well-being. High-rise buildings face significant challenges in terms of energy consumption and occupant comfort, particularly in regions with hot climates. A considerable portion of energy use in these buildings is attributed to cooling systems, which are often strained to manage peak loads during hot weather. Traditional building envelope designs may not adequately address these challenges, necessitating the exploration of innovative solutions. This study investigates the potential of incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) into building envelopes to reduce peak cooling loads and enhance thermal comfort within high-rise structures.

Keywords: Phase change materials (PCMs), high-rise buildings, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, peak cooling loads, sustainable design

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Kuznik F, Virgone J, Johannes K. Development of a new PCM wallboard for building applications. Energy Build. 2008;40(2):182–9.
2. Zhou D, Zhao X, Tian Y. Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCMs) in building applications. Appl Energy. 2012;92:593–605.
3. Al-Saadi S, Zhai Z, Zhang Z. Integration of phase change materials into building enclosure structures for enhanced thermal performance: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2014;32:52–63.
4. Huang MJ, Eames PC, Norton B. Thermal regulation of building-integrated photovoltaics using phase change materials. Int J Heat Mass Transfer. 2006;49(15–16):2715–33.
5. Lee TY, Medina MA. Experimental investigation of a phase change material integrated building envelope system for passive and active thermal energy storage. Appl Therm Eng. 2016;102:802–11.
6. Akeiber H, Nejat P, Majid MA, Wahid MA, Jomehzadeh F, Zeynali Famileh I, et al. A review on phase change material (PCM) for sustainable passive cooling in building envelopes. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2016;60:1470–97.
7. Cabeza LF, Castell A, Barreneche C, de Gracia A, Fernández AI. Materials used as PCM in thermal energy storage in buildings: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;39:423–35.
8. Pasupathy A, Velraj R, Seeniraj RV, Hafner B. Experimental investigation and numerical simulation analysis on the thermal performance of a building roof incorporating phase change material (PCM). Energy Build. 2008;40(2):54–62.
9. Jeong SG, Kim SH, Mumma SA. Experimental study of latent heat thermal energy storage in a concrete ceiling panel using phase change material. Build Environ. 2005;40(7):867–76.
10. Konuklu Y, Ostryakov V, Paksoy HÖ. The effects of macro-encapsulated phase change material incorporated to lightweight concrete blocks on thermal insulation properties of building envelopes. Energy Build. 2017;144:130–41.