Thermal energy storage innovations for tropical buildings through materials integration and smart cooling strategies

• Latent heat storage (LHS) expected to lead TES applications in tropics by 2030. • Wall and ceiling PCM integration enhances passive cooling in tropical buildings. • Bio-based and waste-derived PCMs promote sustainable, low-carbon TES solutions. • AI and nanomaterials boost PCM thermal performance and system optimization. • PV + TES hybrid systems support zero-energy buildings in hot-humid climates. Tropical buildings face persistent challenges of high cooling demand due to elevated temperatures and humidity throughout the year, leading to increased reliance on energy-intensive air-conditioning. This review investigates the potential of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems, particularly Latent Heat Storage (LHS) with Phase Change Materials (PCMs), to enhance energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and sustainability in tropical climates. The objective is to critically evaluate the feasibility, performance, and environmental impact of TES technologies, emphasising material innovation, integration strategies, and innovative control mechanisms. The method adopted is a comprehensive literature review combined with trend-based analysis of TES research and adoption from 2010 to 2030. The reported adoption percentages and future projections are derived from a structured trend-based synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, including bibliometric frequency analysis and comparative reporting trends across central TES review and experimental studies. These projections do not represent empirical market statistics but reflect relative research and application intensity observed in the literature. Results reveal a projected rise in LHS adoption from 40% in 2010 to over 90% by 2030, surpassing SHS and Thermochemical Storage (TCS). Wall and ceiling applications dominate, with 65% and 62% adoption, while aerogel-PCM composites demonstrate notable performance, reducing peak indoor temperatures by 4.8°C and extending cooling duration by 2.3 times. Material innovations show strong growth: encapsulated PCMs rising from 10% to 80% and bio-based PCMs from 5% to 70%. Integration of TES with renewable systems, such as PV–TES hybrids, and AI-driven predictive control further enhances building energy resilience and supports the Zero-Energy Building (ZEB) concept. The novelty of this review lies in contextualising TES within tropical-specific challenges while highlighting emerging materials, waste-derived solutions, and intelligent optimisation frameworks. In conclusion, TES, especially LHS, represents a transformative pathway toward low-carbon, thermally adaptive, and energy-resilient tropical buildings.