Advancements in Phase Change Materials: A Path to Sustainable Energy Solutions in China

Abstract

With the rapid development of China, the country's demand for energy has significantly increased. According to the "World Energy Outlook 2020," China's annual average growth rate of primary energy consumption is 1.9%, and it is predicted that China's energy consumption will account for over 20% of global energy consumption by 2050. In the energy budget, 90% is allocated to thermal energy conversion, transmission, and storage. Facing an impending energy crisis, enhancing energy production while minimizing energy loss has become a matter of widespread concern. Phase Change Materials (PCMs), also called phase change energy storage materials, have garnered attention as a novel energy-efficient and environmentally friendly material. PCMs refer to substances that undergo a change in state and provide latent heat without changing their temperature. Phase change thermal storage materials utilize phase transitions during heat exchange processes to store energy by means of these phase changes. Compared to chemical energy storage materials, PCMs offer high thermal efficiency and energy storage density, maintain constant temperature, and are more easily controllable. They hold great potential as a promising material in the field of thermal energy storage and have been widely applied in areas such as solar energy, lithium batteries, building insulation, and medical applications. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the principles and classification of Phase Change Material (PCM), including organic PCM, inorganic PCM, and composite PCM. It discusses their applications in solar thermal energy storage, cooling of photovoltaic panels, building materials, and industrial waste heat recovery. The article also highlights China's research and development efforts in these areas, emphasizing the country's significant contributions to advancing PCM technology.