Internet of Things for smart energy systems: A review on its applications, challenges and future trends

Abstract

Internet of Things (IoT) is a terminology used for a mixed connection of heterogeneous objects to the internet and to each other with the employment of recent technological and communication infrastructures. Its incorporation into engineering systems have gradually become very popular in recent times as it promises to transform and ease the life of end users. The use of IoT in smart energy systems (SES) facilitates an ample offer of variety of applications that transverses through a wide range of areas in energy systems. With the numerous benefits that includes unmatched fast communication between subsystems, the maximization of energy use, the decrease in environmental impacts and a boost in the dividends of renewable energies, IoT has grown into an emerging innovative technology to be integrated into smart energy systems. In this work, we have provided an overview of the link between SES, IoT and Internet of Energy (IoE). The main applications of IoT in smart energy systems consisting of smart industries, smart homes and buildings, and smart cities are explored and analyzed. The paper also explores the challenges limiting the employment of IoT technologies in SES and the possible remedies to these challenges. In addition, the future trends of this technology, its research direction and reasons why industry should adopt it are also addressed. The aim of this work is to furnish researchers in this field, decision and energy policy makers, energy economist and energy administrators with a possible literature outline on the roles and impacts of IoT technology in smart energy systems.