Optimizing Building Energy Efficiency: Climate-Specific Performance of Phase Change Thermal Storage Foam Concrete

Buildings significantly contribute to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the necessity for innovative materials that improve energy efficiency. This research investigates the energy performance of phase change thermal storage foam concrete (PCTFC), a composite material incorporating composite phase change materials, silica aerogels, and a photocatalytic outer coating. The study employs EnergyPlus simulations utilizing a multistory office building model with construction specifications and material properties sourced from the US Department of Energy (DOE) database to ensure comparability with conventional materials. A parametric analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of thermal properties on heating, cooling, and total energy consumption across five key climates. Findings indicate that PCTFC substantially reduces energy consumption in temperate regions, while exhibiting reduced effectiveness in cooling-dominant climates. The study addresses limitations regarding regional adaptability and proposes avenues for future research utilizing machine learning techniques to enhance PCTFC configuration optimization and predictive energy modeling.