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Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Facundo Bre

    (Sustainable Urban & Built Environment Research Group, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg)

  • Antonio Caggiano

    (DICCA Department, University of Genova, via Montallegro 1, 16145 Genova, Italy)

  • Umberto Berardi

    (ArCoD Department, Politecnico di Bari, via Orabona n.4, 71122 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

This editorial introduces the Special Issue entitled “Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Applications”, which gathers nine original research articles focused on advancing thermal energy storage solutions in the built environment. The selected contributions explore the application of phase change materials (PCMs) across a range of building components and systems, including façades, flooring, glazing, and pavements, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, reducing peak loads, and improving thermal comfort. This Special Issue highlights both experimental and numerical investigations, ranging from nanomaterial-enhanced PCMs and solid–solid PCM glazing systems to full-scale applications and the modeling of encapsulated PCM geometries. Collectively, these studies reflect the growing potential of PCMs to support sustainable, low-carbon construction and provide new insights into material design, system optimization, and energy resilience. We thank all contributing authors and reviewers for their valuable input and hope that this Special Issue serves as a resource for ongoing innovation in the field.

Suggested Citation

  • Facundo Bre & Antonio Caggiano & Umberto Berardi, 2025. "Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-3, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3534-:d:1694562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bre, Facundo & Lamberts, Roberto & Flores-Larsen, Silvana & Koenders, Eduardus A.B., 2023. "Multi-objective optimization of latent energy storage in buildings by using phase change materials with different melting temperatures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    2. Ivanna Voronkova & Anna Podlasek, 2024. "The Use of Transparent Structures to Improve Light Comfort in Library Spaces and Minimize Energy Consumption: A Case Study of Warsaw, Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Cristiana Croitoru & Florin Bode & Răzvan Calotă & Charles Berville & Matei Georgescu, 2024. "Harnessing Nanomaterials for Enhanced Energy Efficiency in Transpired Solar Collectors: A Review of Their Integration in Phase-Change Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Hossein Arasteh & Wahid Maref & Hamed H. Saber, 2024. "3D Numerical Modeling to Assess the Energy Performance of Solid–Solid Phase Change Materials in Glazing Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-24, July.
    5. Dervilla Niall & Roger West, 2024. "Development of Concrete Façade Sandwich Panels Incorporating Phase Change Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-28, June.
    6. 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).
    7. Lei, Jiawei & Yang, Jinglei & Yang, En-Hua, 2016. "Energy performance of building envelopes integrated with phase change materials for cooling load reduction in tropical Singapore," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 207-217.
    8. Marine Auzeby & Shen Wei & Chris Underwood & Jess Tindall & Chao Chen & Haoshu Ling & Richard Buswell, 2016. "Effectiveness of Using Phase Change Materials on Reducing Summer Overheating Issues in UK Residential Buildings with Identification of Influential Factors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-16, August.
    9. Margarida Gonçalves & António Figueiredo & German Vela & Filipe Rebelo & Ricardo M. S. F. Almeida & Mónica S. A. Oliveira & Romeu Vicente, 2025. "Effect of Macrocapsule Geometry on PCM Performance for Thermal Regulation in Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-20, January.
    10. Facundo Bre & Antonio Caggiano & Eduardus A. B. Koenders, 2022. "Multiobjective Optimization of Cement-Based Panels Enhanced with Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    11. Katarzyna Suchorowiec & Martyna Bieda & Martyna Szatkowska & Małgorzata Sieradzka & Monika Kuźnia & Magdalena Ziąbka & Kinga Pielichowska, 2025. "From Waste to Functional Material—Carbon Aerogels from Citrus Biomass Infiltrated with Phase Change Materials for Possible Application in Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion and Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
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