Integration of Phase Change Materials and Solar Energy with IoT for Smart Energy Management: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have gained significant attention in thermal energy storage applications due to their ability to store and release large amounts of latent heat. Studies indicate that PCMs can achieve thermal energy storage efficiencies between 75% and 95%, making them a viable solution for solar energy applications. In solar energy systems, PCMs improve efficiency by stabilizing temperature fluctuations and enhancing energy storage capacity, potentially increasing solar thermal efficiency by 20-35%. However, conventional PCM-based systems face challenges such as low thermal conductivity (0.2–0.5 W/mK), phase segregation, and subcooling issues, which reduce their performance. The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in energy systems introduces real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated energy management, offering a promising solution to optimize PCM performance. IoT-enabled smart energy management systems have been shown to reduce energy consumption by 15-30%, enhance grid stability, and provide adaptive control mechanisms. This paper presents a comprehensive review of PCM integration with solar energy and IoT-based energy management systems. It examines various PCM classifications, their chemical and thermal properties, IoT applications in smart energy systems, and methodologies for improving efficiency. The study highlights key findings from existing literature, discusses challenges in large-scale implementation, and explores future research directions for sustainable and intelligent energy management systems.