The　thermal　performance　of　an　air-based　phase　change　storage　unit　is　analyzed　and　discussed　in　this　study.　The　thermal　energy　storage　uses　flat　micro-heat　pipe　array　(FMHPA)　as　the　core　heat　transfer　component　and　lauric　acid　as　phase　change　material　(PCM).　An　experimental　system　is　devised　to　test　the　heat　storage-release　property　of　the　storage　unit　under　different　inlet　temperatures　and　flow　rates　of　the　heat　transfer　medium.　The　performance　of　the　storage　unit　and　the　melting/solidification　curves　of　the　phase　change　material　are　obtained　based　on　extensive　experimental　data.　Experimental　results　indicate　that　the　flat　micro-heat　pipe　array　exhibits　excellent　temperature　uniformity　in　the　heat　storage-release　process,　and　the　performance　of　the　storage　unit　is　efficient　and　steady.　(C)　2016　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.