A Review of Internet of Energy Based Building Energy Management Systems: Issues and Recommendations

A building energy management system (BEMS) is a sophisticated method used for monitoring and controlling a building's energy requirements. A number of potential studies were conducted in nearly or net zero energy buildings (nZEBs) for the optimization of building energy consumption through efficient and sustainable ways. Moreover, policy makers are approving measures to improve building energy efficiency in order to foster sustainable energy usages. However, the intelligence of existing BEMSs or nZEBs is inadequate, because of the static set points for heating, cooling, and lighting, the complexity of large amounts of BEMS data, data loss, and network problems. To solve these issues, a BEMS or nZEB solution based on the Internet of energy (IoE) provides disruptive opportunities for revolutionizing sustainable building energy management. This paper presents a critical review of the potential of an IoE-based BEMS for enhancing the performance of future generation building energy utilization. The detailed studies of the IoE architecture, typical nZEB configuration, different generations of nZEB, and smart building energy systems for future BEMS are investigated. The operations, advantages, and limitations of the existing BEMSs or nZEBs are illustrated. A comprehensive review of the different types of IoE-based BEMS technologies, such as energy routers, storage systems and materials, renewable sources, and plug-and-play interfaces, is then presented. The rigorous review indicates that existing BEMSs require advanced controllers integrated with IoE-based technologies for sustainable building energy usage. The main objective of this review is to highlight several issues and challenges of the conventional controllers and IoE applications of BEMSs or nZEBs. Accordingly, the review provides several suggestions for the research and development of the advanced optimized controller and IoE of future BEMSs. All the highlighted insights and recommendations of this review will hopefully lead to increasing efforts toward the development of the future BEMS applications.