Application Study of Solar Energy and Heat Management System Utilizing Phase Change Materials in Parking Facilities

Ambient temperature is a very sensitive use condition for electric vehicles (EVs), so it is imperative to ensure the maintenance of suitable temperature. This is particularly important in regions characterized by prolonged exposure to unfavorable temperature conditions. In such cases, it becomes necessary to implement insulation measures within parking facilities and allocate energy resources to sustain a desired temperature level. Solar energy is a renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy that is widely available. However, the effectiveness of utilizing solar energy is influenced by various factors, such as the time of day and weather conditions. The use of phase change material (PCM) in a latent heat energy storage (LHES) system has gained significant attention in this field. In contrast to single-phase energy storage materials, PCM offer a more effective heat storage capacity. Leveraging their attributes, PCM can harness their latent heat to address the issue of uneven temporal distribution of solar energy when the ambient temperature spans the phase change temperature range. However, the practical application of PCM varies depending on the region and energy system, and may not be ideal in many areas. To address this issue, this study focuses on a city in Northeast China and examines its solar energy utilization and meteorological characteristics. It proposes a solar energy utilization and heat management system for parking facilities, which incorporates a phase change energy storage device that takes into account the regional characteristics of the city. Through experimental analysis and comparison, the study demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed system in practical applications, and it can economically and effectively utilize solar energy. This can lead to a substantial extension of stable heat dissipation time, allowing for a reduction in traditional heating and contributing to the realization of low-carbon parking facilities.