Lightweight Concrete containing Phase Change Materials (PCMs): A Numerical Investigation on the Thermal Behaviour of Cladding Panels

Buildings use 40% of the total European Union (EU) energy consumption and generate 36% of the Union’s CO 2 emissions. Indeed, according to U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) estimates the building envelope typically impacts 57% of a building’s thermal loads. More than 20% of the energy consumed in the EU literally flows out of building envelopes and with a similar iimpact in terms of greenhouse gases. Hence claddings are a key mechanism by which to address the decarbonisation of the European economy by 2050, where the challenging objective of reducing CO2 emissions by at least 80%, and energy consumption by as much as 50%, must be met. Innovative concepts for new building materials which also increase thermal inertia were proposed in the E4iBuildings project. E4iBuildings aimed to develop and assess an innovative concrete lightweight aggregates containing embedded Phase Change Materials (PCMs). This concrete may be used to manufacture innovative cladding systems (wall panels and blockwork).JRC.E.4-Safety and Security of Building