Final Report Summary - SOLPCM (Solar Collector and PCM Thermal Façade for Low Carbon Buildings) (1) Summary overview of resultsThe overall aim of this project was to develop a (or two) novel building façade(s) integrated by solar energy, providing heating or cooling or fresh air, by coupling a solar air collector and a PCM storage layer - SOLPCM. On the aspect of finished tasks, it focused on the numerical and experimental study of Trombe wall integrated with novel materials (solar selective absorbing coating, transparent insulation material and phase change material), including passive solar heating for resident buildings, fresh air pre-heater for office buildings, and fresh air pre-conditioner for special-use buildings with a constant fresh air change rate all day. On the aspect of publications, it included one published book chapter, two international conference papers and one stand-alone publishable report for the REA or the Commission.(2) Potential impactAccording to the research, a Chinese company (Baoding Rongtai Plastic Co. LTD) has produced the novel shape-stablized phase change material (SSPCM) boards withdifferent phase change temperatures (15-80 degrees C) and thermal conductivities as shown in Figure 1 (see attached file), which can be used as renewable energy storage material in buildings conveniently, especially for the zones with relative large solar radiation and large daily outdoor air temperature range.(3) Socio-economic impactThe SSPCM board is expected to apply on the SOLPCM envelop as renewable energy storage material in buildings conveniently, especially for the zones with relative large solar radiation and large daily outdoor air temperature range. It can effectively reduce the daily fluctuation of total heat supply, and higher latent heat presents better effect. According to the case simulation for the structure 1 for passive solar heating for resident buildings, when the latent heat is 250 kJ/kg with a phase change temperature of 40±5°C, the energy saving (reductions of building load ) can reach 32.5% compared with non-SSPCM board; for the structure 2 with a phase change temperature of Tm=20±1°C, inlet velocity 0.5m/s compared with the traditional reference mode, the energy saving can reach 88.3% as fresh air pre-heater for office buildings or 38.0% for special-use buildings in the given cases, respectively.(4) Real applicationThere is a real application of SSPCM nowadays. The company named Baoding Rongtai Plastic Co. LTD has applied the research results of the project to produce SSPCM to storage thermal energy in one real project as shown in Figure 2 (see attached file).(5) PublicationsOne book chapter has been published and two international conference papers as shown in section 2. There is also one publishable report attached here for standalone publication by the REA or the Commission.(6) Invited speaker- I was invited to give a speech in Tsinghua University on 3rd September, 2015. The title of speech was “A novel kind of building envelope with TIM and PCM”.- I was invited to speak at a seminar held by Baoding Rongtai Plastic Co. Ltd and Smart City in China to talk about the manufacturing and application.(7) Relevant target groups1. Baoding Rongtai Plastic Co. Ltd contributed on the production of SSPCM. 2. Attended World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies (WSSET) and promoted the sustainable energy technologies.3. Became an editorial board member for Indoor and Built Environment to continue promoting the technology on energy efficiency buildings.(8) Project websiteWe are now trying to establish a website to show the contribution of this project and promote the technology on thermal storage in buildings. The main objective is to develop green buildings technology integrated with solar energy and novel materials to better utilization of renewable energy for low carbon buildings. Related documents final1-figure2.pdf final1-figure1.pdf
