Phase Change Material Technology for Thermal Energy Storage
What are Phase Change Materials?
Phase change materials (PCM) store and release thermal energy by transitioning between solid and liquid states at defined temperatures.
As temperatures rise, PCM absorbs excess heat; as temperatures fall, that stored energy is released back into the surrounding environment.
This repeatable process increases effective thermal mass and reduces
temperature volatility—lowering heating and cooling demand without relying on mechanical systems.
In simple terms:
- Absorbs excess heat as temperatures rise
- Stores thermal energy passively without controls or power
- Releases stored heat as temperatures fall, reducing system demand
Restoring Thermal Mass to Modern Systems
Many modern building and environmental systems rely on insulation and active mechanical equipment to maintain temperature. While effective, this approach often minimizes thermal mass, forcing systems to react continuously to temperature changes.
Phase change materials (PCM) restore effective thermal mass by storing and releasing energy as temperatures fluctuate. Rather than correcting temperature after the fact, PCM allows systems to naturally resist thermal swings.
The result is reduced mechanical cycling, lower peak energy demand, and more stable operating conditions across daily and seasonal cycles.
How it Works.
Thermal systems continuously gain and lose energy as conditions change. When temperatures rise, excess heat enters the space; when temperatures fall, stored heat is lost.
Phase change materials (PCM) moderate this behavior by absorbing thermal energy during warm periods and releasing it as temperatures decline. This keeps the system closer to its target temperature range without constant mechanical correction.
By smoothing heat flow over time, PCM reduces temperature spikes, limits system cycling, and lowers peak energy demand—particularly during overnight and transitional conditions.
In simple terms:
- Absorbs excess heat during warm periods
- Stores thermal energy passively at defined temperatures
- Releases stored heat as conditions cool, reducing system demand
Product Design
PCM performance depends on matching the phase-change temperature to the specific application.
Fore Energy PCM products are engineered to operate within defined temperature ranges commonly found in building, equipment, and controlled environment applications. By aligning the phase-change temperature with the use case, PCM remains active precisely where temperature stability is most valuable.
This targeted design allows PCM to passively support HVAC systems—or, in some cases, reduce their runtime—by stabilizing temperatures within the most critical operating range.
Why our PCM?
Fore Energy develops and supplies phase change material (PCM) solutions designed for safety, durability, and consistent real world performance. Unlike commodity PCM products, our formulations are engineered for long-term operation in controlled environments where reliability matters.
Our formulations prioritize:
- Non-toxic, non-flammable material compositions
- High thermal storage capacity within targeted temperature ranges
- Stable performance across repeated thermal cycling
Fore Energy PCM solutions are available across a wide range of phase-change temperatures from approximately -70°C (-94°F) to 70°C (158°F)— allowing precise alignment with application-specific requirements.