Phase Change Materials in Concrete as an Innovative Option for Energy Efficient Buildings in Lagos Nigeria

Abstract

Global concern for ever-increasing energy consumption and rapid population growth continues to put pressure on existing basic amenities such as housing and infrastructure. More so, the world population is projected to increase by 2.5 billion by 2050, with most of the increase in Asia and Africa. Lagos Nigeria, the commercial hub of West Africa, has been greatly affected by these scenarios of housing shortages and inadequate energy supply, with less than 10hrs daily supply of electricity to homes for sustainable living and comfort. The resultant carbon emission effects of fossil-based energy supply are of serious concern. According to research, continued resistance to adoption of innovative construction materials with their energy efficiency contributions has been found greatly responsible for this devastating condition. Hence, the need for this study with the aim of carrying out a general overview of the different types of Phase Change Materials applicable in buildings for energy efficiency and material conservation for sustainable housing in Lagos, Nigeria. This review is aimed at providing critical information necessary for researchers, designers, engineers and policy cum decisions makers in the construction sector to make safe, durable, and cost-effective decisions on thermally efficient buildings using MPCM. The overview covers the properties, advantages, and drawbacks as examined and evaluated in correlation with existing findings of residential buildings energy consumption study carried out in Lagos. Literature shows that most commercially available microcapsules are polymers with a few drawbacks such as low mechanical stiffness, flammability, and low thermal conductivity. Thus, concrete cost effectiveness and thermally efficient buildings, using l PCMs for Energy efficiency attainment in housing production is a viable option. The paper concludes that exploring the thermal efficiency efficacy of MPCM application to replace the existing 89.9% of building envelopes content in Lagos residential building construction materials will result in efficient energy consumption for a more sustainable housing environment.