Optimising the energy consumption of multifunctional buildings in the UK via phase change materials

Abstract

In alignment with the British Government’s Climate Change Act, which mandates a 78% reduction in territorial carbon emissions by 2035, this study explored integrating phase change materials (PCMs) in UK multifunctional buildings to enhance energy efficiency and address climate change. Given the constraints posed by the intrinsic thermophysical behaviors of PCMs within distinct thermal zones, three PCMs with different melting temperatures (21℃, 25℃, and 29℃) and enthalpies (186.6 kJ/kg, 200 kJ/kg, and 100 kJ/kg) were strategically implemented across various levels of walls of multi-functional buildings in the UK, each tailored to meet the specific functional demands of the respective floors. Utilizing the dynamic simulation tool DesignBuilder, the study evaluated the thermal performance and potential energy savings of PCM-enhanced retrofitting in educational and apartment buildings under UK climatic conditions (Oceanic Climate). This study presented a detailed examination of PCM material properties and placement strategies, demonstrating that customized PCM solutions can significantly improve the sustainability and energy resilience of multifunctional buildings amid changing climate conditions.