Application of passive thermal energy storage in buildings using PCM and awnings

Resumen

Due to current energy management issues and climate change, new and/or improved technological solutions are needed to counteract both their main and side effects. An energetic sector with a large influence on these aspects is the buildings one, with potential to deliver effective solutions in the medium term (for 30-40 years) if applied now. Thermal energy storage (TES) is a very promising option for accomplishing this, with many viable applications and potential advantages. The main interests of the work presented here are the potential of TES application, and the use of phase change materials (PCM) as an application of passive TES in buildings. This thesis deals with two main aspects: the assessment of the figures which put into evidence the advantages from TES application in Spain and Europe, and the potential improvement of the benefits of TES applied in buildings employing PCM under passive modes when awnings are attached. The benefits of applying TES at the different energy consuming sectors in Spain and Europe were quantified and projected into a short term scenario to back up all existing theoretical statements on the subject in literature. Applications where TES is and/or may be used were identified, and the inherent variables to each case as well as the most influent ones, defined. Calculations were performed based on previous data obtained in Germany, which were brought up-to-date so a latter results comparison among the three cases could be done. Awnings were added to small concrete buildings which are part of an experimental set-up located in Puigverd de Lleida (Catalonia, Spain), with a typical continental climate similar to the one in Madrid. The set-up allowed monitoring the effect of the produced shadows over walls containing PCM, and to compare it with that in walls with PCM and without awnings, so the effects over temperature peaks, building thermal inertia, PCM activation and human comfort could be quantified. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/32001