Latent Heat Storage for Energy-Efficient Buildings and Zero-Carbon Communities is an up-to-date reference guide on the rapid progress the field is experiencing while keeping up with much-required transformative initiatives to improve global buildings' energy performance. To lay the foundations, the book covers the fundamentals of phase-change materials, including their thermo-physical properties, nanoscale thermal transport mechanisms, encapsulation techniques, and heat transfer enhancement methods. It goes on to explore the integration of latent heat storage solutions in building envelopes or solar photovoltaics and heating/cooling systems, using mathematical models and performance analysis to discuss thermal management aspects for net-zero energy buildings and zero-carbon community concepts. The volume then delves into practical application of the most advanced, artificial intelligence-powered tools for system modeling and simulation, demand-side management control strategies, and metaheuristic optimization approaches. It concludes with an overview of technical challenges and emerging research areas which evidence academic and industry communities’ persistent interest in the future directions of topics interconnected with the sustainable development of the built environment.Provides comprehensive coverage of latent heat storage from an interdisciplinary perspective, making the content relevant to readers from diverse backgroundsOffers real-world insights, case studies, and implementation strategies, providing valuable, actionable recommendationsIncludes targets for energy-saving and decarbonization within each content section

Latent Heat Storage for Energy-Efficient Buildings and Zero-Carbon Communities is an up-to-date reference guide on the rapid progress the field is experiencing while keeping up with much-required transformative initiatives to improve global buildings' energy performance. To lay the foundations, the book covers the fundamentals of phase-change materials, including their thermo-physical properties, nanoscale thermal transport mechanisms, encapsulation techniques, and heat transfer enhancement methods. It goes on to explore the integration of latent heat storage solutions in building envelopes or solar photovoltaics and heating/cooling systems, using mathematical models and performance analysis to discuss thermal management aspects for net-zero energy buildings and zero-carbon community concepts. The volume then delves into practical application of the most advanced, artificial intelligence-powered tools for system modeling and simulation, demand-side management control strategies, and metaheuristic optimization approaches. It concludes with an overview of technical challenges and emerging research areas which evidence academic and industry communities’ persistent interest in the future directions of topics interconnected with the sustainable development of the built environment.Provides comprehensive coverage of latent heat storage from an interdisciplinary perspective, making the content relevant to readers from diverse backgroundsOffers real-world insights, case studies, and implementation strategies, providing valuable, actionable recommendationsIncludes targets for energy-saving and decarbonization within each content section