ABSTRACT
The application of the active phase change material (PCM) system also played an essential role in shifting both heating and cooling loads. In winter, the PCM was charged by solar energy during the day and electric heating during off-peak period for use during peak hours. In winter, the PCM was charged by solar energy during the day and electric heating during off-peak period for use during peak hours. In summer, free night cooling and cheaper electricity, available at night, were used to cool the PCM during the off-peak hours to be used during the period of high-electricity price period. The price-based control strategy used for peak load shifting raised the need for a predictive control strategy as sometimes, the energy stored during the off-peak period through the use of the electric heater or the AC unit remained unused. The performance of the designed active PCM system was then compared with that of a passive system.
