IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v238y2025ics096014812402041x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The contribution of artificial intelligence to phase change materials in thermal energy storage: From prediction to optimization

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Shuli
  • Han, Junrui
  • Shen, Yongliang
  • Khan, Sheher Yar
  • Ji, Wenjie
  • Jin, Haibo
  • Kumar, Mahesh

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is leading the charge in revolutionizing research methodologies within the field of latent heat storage (LHS) by using phase change materials (PCMs) and elevating their overall efficiency. This comprehensive review delves into AI applications within the domain of PCM for TES systems, mainly including prediction and optimization. The review article emphasizes the crucial role of AI in predicting physical properties of composite PCM and its performance in LHS systems. Also, the review article highlights the significance of AI in optimizing the structure and layout, as well as the operation and control strategies of latent heat storage systems using PCMs across various research fields. The study at hand discusses literature encompassing both experimental and theoretical articles that detail the integration of AI techniques within TES systems by using PCM, and compares the advantages and limitations of AI prediction models and optimization algorithms with existing typical technologies in the field of LHS. The summarization of the limitations in prior research has been presented, along with the proposal of potential avenues for performance enhancement of AI applied in LHS system. Additionally, the primary directions and challenges for future investigations have been emphasized, accompanied by suggested strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Shuli & Han, Junrui & Shen, Yongliang & Khan, Sheher Yar & Ji, Wenjie & Jin, Haibo & Kumar, Mahesh, 2025. "The contribution of artificial intelligence to phase change materials in thermal energy storage: From prediction to optimization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:238:y:2025:i:c:s096014812402041x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121973
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014812402041X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121973?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miao Zhong & Kevin Tran & Yimeng Min & Chuanhao Wang & Ziyun Wang & Cao-Thang Dinh & Phil De Luna & Zongqian Yu & Armin Sedighian Rasouli & Peter Brodersen & Song Sun & Oleksandr Voznyy & Chih-Shan Ta, 2020. "Accelerated discovery of CO2 electrocatalysts using active machine learning," Nature, Nature, vol. 581(7807), pages 178-183, May.
    2. Zhang, Shuai & Feng, Daili & Shi, Lei & Wang, Li & Jin, Yingai & Tian, Limei & Li, Ziyuan & Wang, Guoyong & Zhao, Lei & Yan, Yuying, 2021. "A review of phase change heat transfer in shape-stabilized phase change materials (ss-PCMs) based on porous supports for thermal energy storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    3. Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Saeed Meo, Muhammad & Özkan, Oktay, 2024. "Scrutinizing the impact of energy transition on GHG emissions in G7 countries via a novel green quality of energy mix index," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    4. Abbasi Kamazani, Maryam & Aghanajafi, Cyrus, 2022. "Multi-objective optimization and exergoeconomic evaluation of a hybrid geothermal-PVT system integrated with PCM," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    5. Li, W.Q. & Qu, Z.G. & Zhang, B.L. & Zhao, K. & Tao, W.Q., 2013. "Thermal behavior of porous stainless-steel fiber felt saturated with phase change material," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 846-852.
    6. Zhu Liu & Dabo Guan & Wei Wei & Steven J. Davis & Philippe Ciais & Jin Bai & Shushi Peng & Qiang Zhang & Klaus Hubacek & Gregg Marland & Robert J. Andres & Douglas Crawford-Brown & Jintai Lin & Hongya, 2015. "Reduced carbon emission estimates from fossil fuel combustion and cement production in China," Nature, Nature, vol. 524(7565), pages 335-338, August.
    7. Tavakoli, Ali & Hashemi, Javad & Najafian, Mahyar & Ebrahimi, Amin, 2023. "Physics-based modelling and data-driven optimisation of a latent heat thermal energy storage system with corrugated fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    8. Zhang, Chongchong & Lin, Boqiang, 2024. "Impact of introducing Chinese certified emission reduction scheme to the carbon market: Promoting renewable energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    9. Aramesh, M. & Shabani, B., 2022. "Metal foam-phase change material composites for thermal energy storage: A review of performance parameters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    10. Zheng, Zhang-Jing & Cai, Xiao & Yang, Chao & Xu, Yang, 2022. "Improving the solidification performance of a latent heat thermal energy storage unit using arrow-shaped fins obtained by an innovative fast optimization algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 566-577.
    11. Zhang, Ji & Cao, Zhi & Huang, Sheng & Huang, Xiaohui & Han, Yu & Wen, Chuang & Honoré Walther, Jens & Yang, Yan, 2023. "Solidification performance improvement of phase change materials for latent heat thermal energy storage using novel branch-structured fins and nanoparticles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    12. Kong, Xiangfei & Jie, Pengfei & Yao, Chengqiang & Liu, Yun, 2017. "Experimental study on thermal performance of phase change material passive and active combined using for building application in winter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 293-302.
    13. Yan, Peiliang & Fan, Weijun & Yang, Yan & Ding, Hongbing & Arshad, Adeel & Wen, Chuang, 2022. "Performance enhancement of phase change materials in triplex-tube latent heat energy storage system using novel fin configurations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).
    14. Zhang, Chengbin & Li, Jie & Chen, Yongping, 2020. "Improving the energy discharging performance of a latent heat storage (LHS) unit using fractal-tree-shaped fins," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    15. Fleuchaus, Paul & Schüppler, Simon & Bloemendal, Martin & Guglielmetti, Luca & Opel, Oliver & Blum, Philipp, 2020. "Risk analysis of High-Temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (HT-ATES)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    16. Zhang, Tao & Huo, Dongxin & Wang, Chengyao & Shi, Zhengrong, 2023. "Review of the modeling approaches of phase change processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    17. Shakibi, Hamid & Shokri, Afshar & Sobhani, Behnam & Yari, Mortaza, 2023. "Numerical analysis and optimization of a novel photovoltaic thermal solar unit improved by Nano-PCM as an energy storage media and finned collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    18. Xu, H.J. & Zhao, C.Y., 2015. "Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of cascaded latent heat storage system for energy efficient utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1662-1673.
    19. Dhaidan, Nabeel S. & Khodadadi, J.M., 2015. "Melting and convection of phase change materials in different shape containers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 449-477.
    20. PELELLA, Francesco & ZSEMBINSZKI, Gabriel & VISCITO, Luca & William MAURO, Alfonso & CABEZA, Luisa F., 2023. "Thermo-economic optimization of a multi-source (air/sun/ground) residential heat pump with a water/PCM thermal storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    21. Narayanan, Shankar & Kim, Hyunho & Umans, Ari & Yang, Sungwoo & Li, Xiansen & Schiffres, Scott N. & Rao, Sameer R. & McKay, Ian S. & Rios Perez, Carlos A. & Hidrovo, Carlos H. & Wang, Evelyn N., 2017. "A thermophysical battery for storage-based climate control," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 31-43.
    22. Zhang, P. & Meng, Z.N. & Zhu, H. & Wang, Y.L. & Peng, S.P., 2017. "Melting heat transfer characteristics of a composite phase change material fabricated by paraffin and metal foam," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1971-1983.
    23. He, Zhaoyu & Guo, Weimin & Zhang, Peng, 2022. "Performance prediction, optimal design and operational control of thermal energy storage using artificial intelligence methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    24. Sciacovelli, A. & Gagliardi, F. & Verda, V., 2015. "Maximization of performance of a PCM latent heat storage system with innovative fins," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 707-715.
    25. Cheng, Xiwen & Zhai, Xiaoqiang, 2018. "Thermal performance analysis and optimization of a cascaded packed bed cool thermal energy storage unit using multiple phase change materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 566-576.
    26. Kenisarin, Murat & Mahkamov, Khamid, 2016. "Passive thermal control in residential buildings using phase change materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 371-398.
    27. Young Min Kim & Dong Gil Shin & Chang Gi Kim, 2019. "On-Board Cold Thermal Energy Storage System for Hydrogen Fueling Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-10, February.
    28. Zhang, Chunwei & Zhang, Xuejun & Qiu, Limin & Zhao, Yang, 2020. "Thermodynamic investigation of cascaded latent heat storage system based on a dynamic heat transfer model and DE algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    29. Xu, H.J. & Zhao, C.Y., 2016. "Thermal efficiency analysis of the cascaded latent heat/cold storage with multi-stage heat engine model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 228-237.
    30. Yu Qian Ang & Zachary Michael Berzolla & Samuel Letellier-Duchesne & Christoph F. Reinhart, 2023. "Carbon reduction technology pathways for existing buildings in eight cities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    31. Kavian, Soheil & Aghanajafi, Cyrus & Jafari Mosleh, Hassan & Nazari, Arash & Nazari, Ashkan, 2020. "Exergy, economic and environmental evaluation of an optimized hybrid photovoltaic-geothermal heat pump system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    32. Halhoul Merabet, Ghezlane & Essaaidi, Mohamed & Ben Haddou, Mohamed & Qolomany, Basheer & Qadir, Junaid & Anan, Muhammad & Al-Fuqaha, Ala & Abid, Mohamed Riduan & Benhaddou, Driss, 2021. "Intelligent building control systems for thermal comfort and energy-efficiency: A systematic review of artificial intelligence-assisted techniques," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    33. Liu, Y.K. & Tao, Y.B., 2018. "Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of multistage latent heat storage unit under unsteady inlet temperature based on entransy theory," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 488-496.
    34. Xiaoyang Zhong & Mingming Hu & Sebastiaan Deetman & Bernhard Steubing & Hai Xiang Lin & Glenn Aguilar Hernandez & Carina Harpprecht & Chunbo Zhang & Arnold Tukker & Paul Behrens, 2021. "Global greenhouse gas emissions from residential and commercial building materials and mitigation strategies to 2060," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    35. Buonomo, Bernardo & Manca, Oronzio & Nardini, Sergio & Plomitallo, Renato Elpidio, 2022. "Numerical study on latent heat thermal energy storage system with PCM partially filled with aluminum foam in local thermal equilibrium," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1368-1380.
    36. Grace G. D. Han & Huashan Li & Jeffrey C. Grossman, 2017. "Optically-controlled long-term storage and release of thermal energy in phase-change materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, December.
    37. Al-Waeli, Ali H.A. & Kazem, Hussein A. & Yousif, Jabar H. & Chaichan, Miqdam T. & Sopian, K., 2020. "Mathematical and neural network modeling for predicting and analyzing of nanofluid-nano PCM photovoltaic thermal systems performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 963-980.
    38. Ahn, Jonghoon & Cho, Soolyeon, 2017. "Anti-logic or common sense that can hinder machine’s energy performance: Energy and comfort control models based on artificial intelligence responding to abnormal indoor environments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 117-130.
    39. Wang, Zeyu & Diao, Yanhua & Zhao, Yaohua & Chen, Chuanqi & Wang, Tengyue & Liang, Lin, 2022. "Visualization experiment and numerical study of latent heat storage unit using micro-heat pipe arrays: Melting process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liu, Yang & Zheng, Ruowei & Li, Ji, 2022. "High latent heat phase change materials (PCMs) with low melting temperature for thermal management and storage of electronic devices and power batteries: Critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    2. Xu, Bowen & Lu, Shilei & Wang, Ran & Zhai, Xue & Fan, Minchao & Jia, Wei & Du, Haibing, 2021. "Exergy analysis and optimization of charging–discharging processes for cascaded latent heat storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    3. Xu, Huaqian & Zuo, Hongyang & Zeng, Kuo & Lu, Yongwen & Chi, Bowen & Flamant, Gilles & Yang, Haiping & Chen, Hanping, 2024. "Investigation of the modified Gaussian-based non-phase field method for numerical simulation of latent heat storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    4. Ewelina Radomska & Lukasz Mika & Karol Sztekler & Lukasz Lis, 2020. "The Impact of Heat Exchangers’ Constructions on the Melting and Solidification Time of Phase Change Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-44, September.
    5. Shen, Yongliang & Liu, Shuli & Mazhar, Abdur Rehman & Han, Xiaojing & Yang, Liu & Yang, Xiu'e, 2021. "A review of solar-driven short-term low temperature heat storage systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    6. Xu, Yang & He, Chen & Chen, Yang & Sun, Yu & Yin, Hang & Zheng, Zhang-Jing, 2023. "Experimental and numerical study on the effect of the intelligent memory metal fin on the melting and solidification process of PCM," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    7. Zhao, Y. & Zhao, C.Y. & Markides, C.N. & Wang, H. & Li, W., 2020. "Medium- and high-temperature latent and thermochemical heat storage using metals and metallic compounds as heat storage media: A technical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    8. Xu, H.J. & Zhao, C.Y., 2019. "Analytical considerations on optimization of cascaded heat transfer process for thermal storage system with principles of thermodynamics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 826-845.
    9. Huang, Xinyu & Du, Zhao & Li, Yuanji & Li, Ze & Yang, Xiaohu & Li, Ming-Jia, 2024. "Optimal design on fin-metal foam hybrid structure for melting and solidification phase change storage: An experimental and numerical study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    10. Mao, Qianjun & Zhang, Yufei, 2023. "Effect of unsteady heat source condition on thermal performance for cascaded latent heat storage packed bed," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    11. Lu, Shilei & Lin, Quanyi & Xu, Bowen & Yue, Lu & Feng, Wei, 2023. "Thermodynamic performance of cascaded latent heat storage systems for building heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    12. Zhang, Shuai & Yan, Yuying, 2023. "Evaluation and optimisation of hybrid sensible-latent heat thermal energy storage unit with natural stones to enhance heat transfer," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    13. Wang, Jiahao & Liu, Xiaomin & Desideri, Umberto, 2024. "Performance improvement evaluation of latent heat energy storage units using improved bi-objective topology optimization method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 364(C).
    14. Zhu, Rongsheng & Jing, Dalei, 2024. "Numerical study on the discharging performance of a latent heat thermal energy storage system with fractal tree-shaped convergent fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    15. Zheng, Zhang-Jing & Cai, Xiao & Yang, Chao & Xu, Yang, 2022. "Improving the solidification performance of a latent heat thermal energy storage unit using arrow-shaped fins obtained by an innovative fast optimization algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 566-577.
    16. Yang, Sheng & Shao, Xue-Feng & Luo, Jia-Hao & Baghaei Oskouei, Seyedmohsen & Bayer, Özgür & Fan, Li-Wu, 2023. "A novel cascade latent heat thermal energy storage system consisting of erythritol and paraffin wax for deep recovery of medium-temperature industrial waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    17. Yan, Peiliang & Fan, Weijun & Han, Yu & Ding, Hongbing & Wen, Chuang & Elbarghthi, Anas F.A. & Yang, Yan, 2023. "Leaf-vein bionic fin configurations for enhanced thermal energy storage performance of phase change materials in smart heating and cooling systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    18. Umair, Malik Muhammad & Zhang, Yuang & Iqbal, Kashif & Zhang, Shufen & Tang, Bingtao, 2019. "Novel strategies and supporting materials applied to shape-stabilize organic phase change materials for thermal energy storage–A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 846-873.
    19. Rostami, Sara & Afrand, Masoud & Shahsavar, Amin & Sheikholeslami, M. & Kalbasi, Rasool & Aghakhani, Saeed & Shadloo, Mostafa Safdari & Oztop, Hakan F., 2020. "A review of melting and freezing processes of PCM/nano-PCM and their application in energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    20. Liu, Zhan & Liu, Zihui & Guo, Junfei & Wang, Fan & Yang, Xiaohu & Yan, Jinyue, 2022. "Innovative ladder-shaped fin design on a latent heat storage device for waste heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:238:y:2025:i:c:s096014812402041x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.