IoT-Driven Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) for Net Zero Energy Buildings: Concept, Integration and Future Directions

A research team from multiple institutions has published a comprehensive paper titled 'IoT-Driven Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) for Net Zero Energy Buildings: Concept, Integration and Future Directions' on arXiv. The paper addresses the critical challenge of building operations being a major contributor to global greenhouse emissions, exacerbated by inefficient human behavior and manual systems. It argues that integrating Internet of Things (IoT) sensors with data-driven AI intelligence is essential for creating advanced BEMS that can significantly enhance energy efficiency and help achieve Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) targets. The work serves as a foundational review and framework for the next generation of smart building management.

The paper makes four key contributions: a systematic review of IoT-enabled BEMS architecture, an evaluation of real-world datasets to train AI for predictive control, an analysis of integration hurdles like interoperability with smart grids, and a global case study of best practices. By synthesizing current technology and identifying pathways for scaling, the research provides a crucial blueprint for engineers and policymakers. The proposed AI-driven systems could autonomously optimize heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy and weather data, moving beyond reactive manual controls. This represents a significant step toward making sustainable, self-regulating buildings a widespread reality, directly tackling a major source of carbon emissions.