Importance of a Building Envelope Design With the Phase-Change Materials (PCM)

Abstract

Building is one of the most energy consuming and CO2 producing sectors in the world. In Morocco, this sector currently accounts for 33% of total consumption nationwide. The new thermal regulation in Morocco aims at introducing energy efficient practices in this sector to reduce these consumptions. Indeed, in the Mediterranean region, the architecture of the building has a major impact on its energy and thermal performance. In addition, the integration of passive techniques and the use of local materials, phase change materials MCP could significantly reduce energy consumption in the building sector.Depending on the properties of the thermal zone where we are, it is therefore possible to integrate PCM and optimize their parameters in order to favorably diphase the energy consumption peaks and energy consumption and, by the same token, significantly reducing the use of the HC system. Consequently, the integration of this PCM in the envelopes of new buildings or in renovation would contribute to reduce the energy bill in the building sector in Morocco. So the (PCM) represents a sustainable alternative to reduce energy consumption for this a thermal dynamic simulation was realized with TRNSYS 204. Since PCM involves large latent heat at small temperature phase changes, PCM is used for temperature stabilization and for storing heat with large energy densities and capacity the storage in combination with rather small temperature changes. The simulation was carried out for the climate zone of Morocco (Casablanca Nouasseur). The results of the simulation showed that the use of phase change materials in brick walls reduced overheating in the summer period, decreasing the ambient temperature.

Keywords: Energy Efficiency, PCM, Natural Ventilation, Air Infiltration, Energy Consumption, Cooling, Heating