Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping Review

Data-driven technologies in smart buildings offer significant opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort. However, the existing literature often lacks a holistic examination of the technological advancements, adoption barriers, and business models necessary to r...

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Main Authors: Joy Dalmacio Billanes, Zheng Grace Ma, Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/290
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author Joy Dalmacio Billanes
Zheng Grace Ma
Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen
author_facet Joy Dalmacio Billanes
Zheng Grace Ma
Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen
author_sort Joy Dalmacio Billanes
collection DOAJ
description Data-driven technologies in smart buildings offer significant opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort. However, the existing literature often lacks a holistic examination of the technological advancements, adoption barriers, and business models necessary to realize these benefits. To address this gap, this scoping review synthesizes current research on these technologies, identifies factors influencing their adoption, and examines supporting business models. Inspired by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a structured search of the literature across four major databases yielded 112 relevant studies. The key technologies identified included big data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, the Internet of Things, Wireless Sensor Networks, Edge and Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Digital Twins, and Geographic Information Systems. Energy optimization is further achieved through integrating renewable energy resources and advanced energy management systems, such as Home Energy Management Systems and Building Energy Management Systems. Factors influencing adoption are categorized into social influences, individual perceptions, cost considerations, security and privacy concerns, and data quality issues. The analysis of business models emphasizes the need to align technological innovations with market needs, focusing on value propositions like cost savings and efficiency improvements. Despite the benefits, challenges such as high initial costs, technical complexities, security risks, and user acceptance hinder their widespread adoption. This review highlights the importance of addressing these challenges through the development of cost-effective, interoperable, secure, and user-centric solutions, offering a roadmap for future research and industry applications.
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spelling doaj-art-82a5925ba1a440f8a5e123612a09cc2e2025-01-24T13:30:54ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118229010.3390/en18020290Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping ReviewJoy Dalmacio Billanes0Zheng Grace Ma1Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen2SDU Center for Energy Informatics, The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, The Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, DenmarkSDU Center for Energy Informatics, The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, The Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, DenmarkSDU Center for Energy Informatics, The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, The Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, DenmarkData-driven technologies in smart buildings offer significant opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort. However, the existing literature often lacks a holistic examination of the technological advancements, adoption barriers, and business models necessary to realize these benefits. To address this gap, this scoping review synthesizes current research on these technologies, identifies factors influencing their adoption, and examines supporting business models. Inspired by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a structured search of the literature across four major databases yielded 112 relevant studies. The key technologies identified included big data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, the Internet of Things, Wireless Sensor Networks, Edge and Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Digital Twins, and Geographic Information Systems. Energy optimization is further achieved through integrating renewable energy resources and advanced energy management systems, such as Home Energy Management Systems and Building Energy Management Systems. Factors influencing adoption are categorized into social influences, individual perceptions, cost considerations, security and privacy concerns, and data quality issues. The analysis of business models emphasizes the need to align technological innovations with market needs, focusing on value propositions like cost savings and efficiency improvements. Despite the benefits, challenges such as high initial costs, technical complexities, security risks, and user acceptance hinder their widespread adoption. This review highlights the importance of addressing these challenges through the development of cost-effective, interoperable, secure, and user-centric solutions, offering a roadmap for future research and industry applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/290smart buildingsdata-driven technologiesenergy optimizationartificial intelligenceinternet of thingsenergy management systems
spellingShingle Joy Dalmacio Billanes
Zheng Grace Ma
Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen
Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping Review
Energies
smart buildings
data-driven technologies
energy optimization
artificial intelligence
internet of things
energy management systems
title Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping Review
title_full Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping Review
title_fullStr Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping Review
title_short Data-Driven Technologies for Energy Optimization in Smart Buildings: A Scoping Review
title_sort data driven technologies for energy optimization in smart buildings a scoping review
topic smart buildings
data-driven technologies
energy optimization
artificial intelligence
internet of things
energy management systems
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/290
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