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Renewable energy

Breakthrough in Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage Technology Enhances Stability of Renewable Energy Sources

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology have made a significant discovery in the field of phase change thermal energy storage technology. This study, funded by the National Key Research & Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), has shown that phase change thermal energy storage technology can significantly enhance the stability of volatile renewable energy sources and boost the economic efficiency of energy utilization systems. The researchers have identified three key aspects of phase change materials (PCMs) that are crucial for improving thermal energy storage performance: regulating PCMs' thermophysical properties, passive and active heat transfer enhancement techniques, and hybrid heat transfer enhancement methods.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study has identified three key aspects of phase change materials (PCMs) that are crucial for improving thermal energy storage performance: regulating PCMs' thermophysical properties, passive and active heat transfer enhancement techniques, and hybrid heat transfer enhancement methods.
  • The researchers have used various additives to regulate PCMs' thermophysical properties, aiming to optimize PCMs for better thermal storage performance.
  • Passive techniques involve optimizing fin and heat exchange tube structures and multistage phase change technology.
  • Active techniques cover external field disturbances like magnetic, electric fields, and ultrasound, which can influence PCMs' phase change behavior.
  • Hybrid heat transfer enhancement methods combine different strategies to boost heat transfer performance, integrating the merits of passive and active techniques.
  • The study focuses on the use of external field disturbances and hybrid approaches for enhancing PCM phase change heat transfer.
  • The researchers have identified the National Key Research & Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) as financial supporters of this research.

Statistics:

  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Energy Storage.
  • The Journal of Energy Storage is published by Elsevier, with contact information available.
  • Twenty authors have contributed to the research, including Wei Zhang, Xiangrui Zhai, Zeyu Xu, Qianqian Zhang, Xufei Yang, Jiuzhe Qu, Guanglin Liu, and Bo Yu.
  • The research was conducted by the Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Key Lab Pipeline Crit Technol & Equipment, Beijing 102617, People's Republic of China.

Sources:

  • Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage: Materials and Heat Transfer Enhancement Methods. Journal of Energy Storage, 2025;123.
  • NewsRx. New Phase Change Materials Findings from Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology Reported (Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage: Materials and Heat Transfer Enhancement Methods). Energy Weekly News. July 11, 2025; p 577.

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