Sustainable Smart City Technologies and Their Impact on Users’ Energy Consumption Behaviour

Hidayati Ramli, Zahirah Mokhtar Azizi () and Niraj Thurairajah
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Hidayati Ramli: Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
Zahirah Mokhtar Azizi: Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
Niraj Thurairajah: Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-28

Abstract: Sustainable smart cities (SSCs) target decarbonisation by optimising energy consumption through the emerging capabilities of technology. Nevertheless, the energy consumption behaviour of end users has the potential to compromise the effectiveness of technological interventions, reflecting the importance of active social engagement in realising decarbonisation goals. Although extensive research exists on energy consumption behaviour, little is known about how technology engagement affects it, the nature of these technologies, and their role in SSC. The paper aims to identify, categorise, and investigate the smart technologies that impact household energy consumption behaviours and their integration into the larger SSC system. Following a systematic review of 60 articles from the Scopus database (2013–2023), the study found 45 smart technologies cited, with 49% affecting efficiency behaviour and 51% affecting curtailment behaviour. While these technologies inform the city administration level in the SSC framework, the role of end users remains unclear, suggesting a technocratic approach. The study proposes the Sustainable Smart City Network to facilitate a grassroots approach, identifying five key domains: government policies, smart technology adoption, smart technology engagement, smart city infrastructure, and urban sustainability. The study provides an original contribution to knowledge by unveiling the key technologies affecting energy consumption behaviour and outlining the pragmatic requirements for achieving decarbonisation through a grassroots approach.

Keywords: smart city; sustainability; smart technology; energy consumption behaviour; energy efficiency; human–technology interaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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