Solar energy is a renewable energy source that can be utilized for different applications in today’s world. The effective use of solar energy requires a storage medium that can facilitate the storage of excess energy, and then supply this stored energy when it is needed. An effective method of storing thermal energy from solar is through the use of phase change materials (PCMs). PCMs are isothermal in nature, and thus offer higher density energy storage and the ability to operate in a variable range of temperature conditions. This article provides a comprehensive review of the application of PCMs for solar energy use and storage such as for solar power generation, water heating systems, solar cookers, and solar dryers. This paper will benefit the researcher in conducting further research on solar power generation, water heating system, solar cookers, and solar dryers using PCMs for commercial development.

The primary objective of this paper is to analyse the growth of energy-related CO₂ emissions in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), with specific emphasis on identifying its trends and underlying drivers. This objective is premised on the arguments that: (1) there is a general lack of analysis of energy-related CO₂ emissions growth across ASEAN countries; and (2) such an analysis is critical, because it could enable an assessment to be made of the efficacy of existing energy policies for reducing emissions. Decomposition analysis is the main approach adopted in this paper. The findings of this paper suggest that the growth of energy-related CO₂ emissions has slowed in some major emitters in the region, due to energy efficiency improvement, and, to a lesser extent, a gradual switch in energy fuel mix towards lower emission sources (gas and renewables). However, this improvement is unlikely to drive a major transformation in the energy sectors of the region to the extent considered adequate for redressing the challenge of rising emissions, as indicated by a steady emissions growth in most ASEAN countries over the entire study period (1971–2016). By implication, this suggests that a significant scale-up of existing policy effort is needed to rectify the situations.

Loop heat pipes (LHPs) with Lotus-Type Porous Copper (LTP Copper) capillary wick are expected to be applied to battery thermal management systems for safe operation at high performance with a long service life. Sintered LTP Copper is a high permeability porous metal with an excellent capillary pumping characteristic. The objective of this work is to determine the performance of the battery thermal management system using LHP with sintered LTP Copper capillary wick experimentally. The experiment used two battery simulators made of aluminum. The heat generation of the battery was simulated using cartridge heaters. The LHP was made of 10 m OD copper tube, and the sintered LTP Copper capillary wick was placed in the liquid line. Water was used as working fluid with filling ratio of 50%. The evaporator section of the LHP was inserted between the battery simulators surfaces. A thermostatic bath was used to regulate the condenser cooling fluid temperature. K-type 0.3 mm thermocouples were used for temperature measurement, and a digital power meter was used to measure the electric power. Experiments were conducted with various heating power with the condenser cooling fluid temperature was kept at 28°C. At a heat generation of 20 W, the LHP was capable of maintaining the battery surface temperature below 50°C. At a heat generation of 40 W, the utilization of LHP with LTP Copper can reduce the average battery simulator surface temperature from 93°C to 65°C.