Nanotechnology-Phase Change Materials Integration for Energy Balance and Reduced Carbon Emissions

Strategic Insights -

A new research study from Changsha University of Science and Technology has proposed a coupling system combining distributed photovoltaic (PV), battery, and phase change materials (PCM) for residential buildings to achieve temporal and dimensional energy balance and maintain the stability of grid-connected distributed PV systems. The system aims to reduce heating, cooling, and associated carbon emissions by incorporating PCM into building walls and developing a dynamic battery operation strategy to enhance system independence. The technical, economic, and environmental performance of the system was evaluated by comparing scenarios with and without PCM incorporation and battery optimization strategy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study proposed a coupling system composed of distributed PV, battery, and PCM for residential buildings to achieve temporal and dimensional energy balance and maintain the stability of grid-connected distributed PV systems.
  • Incorporating PCM into building walls led to an average power demand reduction of 5.2% and a reduction in energy sent to and consumed from the grid of 18.4% and 31.4%, respectively.
  • The optimized battery operation strategy led to a 23.2% increase in both PV self-sufficiency and self-consumption.
  • The study found that incorporating PCM led to an increase in carbon emissions, but the optimized battery operation strategy resulted in a reduction of 162.4 kgCO2 per year.
  • The annual average carbon emission factor decreased by 36.3% compared to the grid emission factor.
  • The optimized strategy resulted in an increase in the payback period by 1.72 years.
  • The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Science and Technology Department of Hunan, and Chenzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau.
  • The study was conducted by researchers from Changsha University of Science and Technology, including Xiaoqin Sun, Yaping Zhou, Daifeng Li, Jing Luo, and Xionghui Li.

Statistics:

  • Incorporating PCM led to an average power demand reduction of 5.2%.
  • The optimized battery operation strategy led to a 23.2% increase in both PV self-sufficiency and self-consumption.
  • The optimized strategy resulted in an increase in the payback period by 1.72 years.
  • Annual carbon emissions were reduced by 162.4 kgCO2.
  • The annual average carbon emission factor decreased by 36.3% compared to the grid emission factor.
  • The reduction in energy sent to and consumed from the grid was 18.4% and 31.4%, respectively.

Sources:

  • "Technical, Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Distributed Photovoltaic-battery System for Residential Buildings With Phase Change Materials." Renewable Energy, 2025;252.
  • "Study Data from Changsha University of Science and Technology Provide New Insights into Phase Change Materials (Technical, Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Distributed Photovoltaic-battery System for Residential Buildings With Phase ...)." Global Warming Focus, October 20, 2025; p 2248.