A parametric study of the use of PCMs in buildings PhD Thanina Hammouma

A parametric study of the use of PCMs in buildings

Climate change stands as one of the greatest challenges of our century, primarily driven by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities. The building sector, responsible for over 33% of global energy consumption and more than 40% of worldwide GHG emissions, plays a central role in this crisis. The growing demand for heating and cooling, particularly in regions with extreme climates, worsens energy inefficiencies and the carbon footprint of the built environment. In response to this urgency, innovative solutions such as Phase Change Materials (PCMs) emerge as a promising approach to optimize buildings' thermal performance while reducing their reliance on active heating and cooling systems.

This research focuses on a case study in Aalter, near Gent, Belgium, a region characterized by a temperate/cold climate. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of PCMs integrated into the building envelope to mitigate indoor temperature fluctuations and reduce energy consumption. Numerical modeling will be conducted and validated with experimental data to ensure the reliability of thermal simulations. The study will also examine the impact of PCMs under different climate scenarios (2020, 2050, and 2100) to anticipate their performance in a global warming context.

The results will quantify the influence of PCMs on thermal comfort and energy savings while optimizing key parameters (melting temperature, thickness, distribution). This combined approach of numerical simulations and experimental validation aims to propose sustainable solutions for buildings in cold/temperate climates. In the long term, this research could contribute to the development of more efficient construction standards aligned with carbon neutrality and energy resilience goals.