Achieving net zero energy heating by integrating the building envelope as a thermal battery

• Published in: iScience Vol. 27; no. 6; p. 109892
• Main Authors: Zhi, Yuan, Sun, Tao, Gao, Ding, Chen, Xiaomeng, Wei, Guanqiong, Dai, Xilei, Yang, Xudong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 21.06.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Electrochemical energy storage; Energy systems; Energy systems; Electrochemical energy storage
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109892

Photovoltaic (PV) heating is a promising technology for achieving fossil fuel–free heating and carbon neutrality in the building sector. Cost-effective energy storage plays a critical role in PV heating to solve the temporal mismatch between supply and demand. Herein, we propose the concept of using a building envelope as an active energy-storage device for a PV heating system, thus transforming the building envelope into a thermal battery. Experimental results show that the energy storage capacity of 142 kW h/m2, which is higher than that of conventional thermal storage systems. We developed a top-down macro performance assessment model to quantify the contribution of a PV heating system using a building envelope as energy storage. By our estimation, the envelope-embedded system can reduce heating-related CO2 emissions by 7435.7 tons annually in northern China. Our study provides insights into innovative energy-saving building energy storage systems that can help achieve global carbon neutrality and sustainability. [Display omitted] •Building envelope transforms into a thermal battery for photovoltaic heating systems•We introduced a top-down performance assessment model for envelope-embedded systems•Building envelope has a high energy storage capacity•The envelope-embedded will contribute greatly to China’s carbon reduction Electrochemical energy storage; Energy systems