Optical and energy performance analysis of multi-layer glazing systems incorporating solid-solid phase change materials

Abstract

Glazing systems represent one of the most energy-sensitive components of the building envelope due to their low thermal inertia and high solar transmittance, particularly in highly glazed buildings. Integrating phase change materials into fenestration systems has emerged as a promising passive strategy to enhance thermal regulation; however, achieving energy benefits without compromising optical performance and ensuring climate-appropriate behavior remain key challenges. This thesis investigates the optical and energy performance of multilayer glazing systems incorporating solid–solid phase change materials as latent thermal energy storage media. Advanced numerical modeling based on computational fluid dynamics and finite volume methods is employed to simulate transient heat transfer, radiative exchange, phase transition behavior, and natural convection within glazing cavities under realistic climatic boundary conditions. The performance of the proposed glazing systems is evaluated across multiple climates, orientations, and extreme weather conditions. The results demonstrate that solid–solid phase change materials can enhance thermal inertia and reduce heating and cooling demands in heating-dominated and mixed climates when appropriate phase transition temperatures and material properties are selected. The effectiveness of the proposed system is shown to be strongly climate-dependent. In heating-dominated climates, such as Montreal, natural convection plays a negligible role under summer conditions, while exerting a significant influence on phase transition dynamics and overall energy performance during winter. Optical analyses further confirm that carefully designed phase change material layers allow full visual transparency during occupied hours, supporting their applicability in commercial and office buildings. Overall, this thesis provides a comprehensive, physics-based assessment of phase change material-enhanced glazing systems and offers quantitative insights and design guidance to support the development of energy-efficient and climate-responsive smart fenestration technologies.

Date	21 Jul 2026
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Wahid Maref (Supervisor) & Hamed H Saber (Co-supervisor)