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A Review of Experimental and Numerical Analyses of Solar Thermal Walls

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  • Krzysztof Sornek

    (Department of Sustainable Energy Development, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza Ave. 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Karolina Papis-Frączek

    (Department of Sustainable Energy Development, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza Ave. 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Francesco Calise

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Francesco Liberato Cappiello

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Maria Vicidomini

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

Nowadays, almost 30% of total energy consumption (130 EJ) is consumed for the operation of buildings, mainly by space heating/cooling and ventilation systems, hot water preparation systems, lighting, and other domestic appliances. To improve the energy efficiency of buildings, several countries are promoting the use of renewable energy. The most promising systems include active and passive solar installations. In passive systems, the solar energy is collected, stored, reflected, or distributed by the roof ponds, natural convective loops, and the most popular direct gain walls and thermal storage walls (known as Trombe walls). This paper reviews the experimental and numerical studies devoted to the different solutions of Trombe walls, including solar chimneys integrated on the vertical walls, classic Trombe walls, Trombe walls with incorporated phase change materials, and photovoltaic Trombe walls. The actual state of the art is presented in the context of reducing energy consumption and enhancing thermal comfort. Most of the analyzed studies showed that the application of thermal storage walls allowed achieving these goals, led to lower emissions of greenhouse gases, and improved living standards. Nevertheless, there is a need for more detailed feasibility studies, including cost and environmental indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Krzysztof Sornek & Karolina Papis-Frączek & Francesco Calise & Francesco Liberato Cappiello & Maria Vicidomini, 2023. "A Review of Experimental and Numerical Analyses of Solar Thermal Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:7:p:3102-:d:1110356
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Renno, C. & Perone, A., 2021. "Experimental modeling of the optical and energy performances of a point-focus CPV system applied to a residential user," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PA).
    2. Karolina Papis-Frączek & Krzysztof Sornek, 2022. "A Review on Heat Extraction Devices for CPVT Systems with Active Liquid Cooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-49, August.
    3. Filippidou, Faidra & Nieboer, Nico & Visscher, Henk, 2017. "Are we moving fast enough? The energy renovation rate of the Dutch non-profit housing using the national energy labelling database," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 488-498.
    4. Francesco Calise & Rafal Damian Figaj & Laura Vanoli, 2017. "Experimental and Numerical Analyses of a Flat Plate Photovoltaic/Thermal Solar Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Renhua Liu & Wentao Duan & Guoqing He & Qikun Wang, 2025. "Development of Wall-Integrated Solar Energy Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-35, February.

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