Thermal Energy Management in Buildings

Dear Colleagues,

Since 50 years ago, the energy demand from buildings (residential and commercial) has grown by 1.8% per year, and it is predicted to grow from 2790 Mtoe (i.e., 116.8 EJ) in 2010, to over 4400 Mtoe by 2050, with most of this increase being from developing countries. Three-quarters of the total energy consumption in the buildings sector is residential, where there is great potential to improve energy efficiency. There is a presumption and need for these requirements to be applied, not only to new buildings, but also to the existing ones.

In the early of 2010’s, this objective was viewed as unrealistic. Now, with emerging materials for thermal energy management, the PV panels’ reduction of costs, and with the development electrochemical storage energy (batteries) and simulation technologies, suddenly, researchers and investors, and consequently, politicians, began to see this directive as possible, necessary, and potentially interesting to invest in.

The purpose of this Energies Special Issue on “Thermal Energy Management in Buildings” is to publish a set of research articles that demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative concepts, solutions, and materials, to fulfil the maximum building energy demands, meeting the long-term and changing needs and requirements of building users.

We invite researchers to contribute original research articles, as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the recent advances and innovation in these research fields. We are particularly interested in articles describing the recent trends, developments, and applications of new thermal energy management solutions capable of fulfilling the electrical, thermal, and cooling demands of low-energy consumption buildings. Manuscripts combining experimental implementation with theoretical calculations and techno-economic assessment are welcome.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Emerging materials for thermal energy management
• Energy storage systems, including phase change materials and batteries
• Advanced insulation materials, components, and systems
• Modelling of advanced materials and technologies in buildings
• Energy consumption in buildings
• Near-zero energy buildings (nZEB’s) and zero energy buildings (ZEB’s)
• Optimized solar-oriented envelope designs
• Strong integration of renewable technologies
• Improved air-tightness and highly efficient air conditioning systems
• Economic/functional merit factor
• Life-cycle assessment (LCA)
• Energy policy

Dr. João M.P.Q. Delgado
Prof. Ana Sofia Guimarães
Prof. Adélio Mendes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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