Home Energy Systems in Europe: Advancements and Future Directions

Abstract

Home energy systems (HESs) are pivotal to Europe's distributed energy transition and to achieving the EU carbon neutrality goals. This study systematically reviews high-impact literature from the past five years, analyzing interdisciplinary progress and key challenges in European HES research. The findings reveal significant regional disparities: photovoltaic systems dominate in Southern Europe, thermal energy storage optimization is prioritized in the North, while Eastern Europe retains its reliance on traditional energy. Policy regulations, economic incentives, and sociocultural factors drive the deployment of HESs beyond the pilot stage. System optimization is increasingly utilizing hybrid energy storage and artificial intelligence-driven controls to enhance economic viability and self-sufficiency. Although HESs contribute to emission reductions and improved air quality, persistent energy equity gaps require targeted policy interventions. Current research limitations include scarce long-term empirical data, limited cross-scale modeling, and inadequate policy synergy assessments. Future studies should prioritize multienergy system integration, digital twin applications, differentiated incentive frameworks, and multidimensional fairness assessments. By synthesizing insights from energy engineering, economics, and environmental sciences, a theoretical framework for the synergistic evolution of the HES technology, policy, and society is proposed. This framework offers a knowledge map for scholars and evidence-based guidance for policymakers and supports the HES transition toward integrated sociotechnical energy systems, providing insights relevant to global energy democratization.