The Critical Role of IoT for Enabling the UK’s Built Environment Transition to Net Zero

Ioannis Paraskevas (), Diyar Alan, Anestis Sitmalidis, Grant Henshaw, David Farmer, Richard Fitton, William Swan and Maria Barbarosou
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Ioannis Paraskevas: Energy House Laboratories, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
Diyar Alan: Energy House Laboratories, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
Anestis Sitmalidis: Energy House Laboratories, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
Grant Henshaw: Energy House Laboratories, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
David Farmer: Energy House Laboratories, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
Richard Fitton: Energy House Laboratories, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
William Swan: Energy House Laboratories, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
Maria Barbarosou: Department of Aeronautical Science, Division of Electronics, Electric Power, Telecommunications, Hellenic Air Force Academy, 13671 Athens, Greece

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-25

Abstract: The built environment contributes approximately 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, positioning it as a critical sector in the national net-zero strategy. This review investigates the enabling role of the domestic smart metering infrastructure combined with other IoT systems in accelerating the decarbonisation of residential buildings. Drawing from experience gained from governmental and commercially funded R&D projects, the article demonstrates how smart metering data can be leveraged to assess building energy performance, underpin cost-effective carbon reduction solutions, and enable energy flexibility services for maintaining grid stability. Unlike controlled laboratory studies, this review article focuses on real-world applications where data from publicly available infrastructure is accessed and utilised, enhancing scalability and policy relevance. The integration of smart meter data with complementary IoT data—such as indoor temperature, weather conditions, and occupancy—substantially improves built environment digital energy analytics. This capability was previously unattainable due to the absence of a nationwide digital energy infrastructure. The insights presented in this work highlight the untapped potential of the UK’s multibillion-pound investment in smart metering, offering a scalable pathway for low-carbon innovation for the built environment, thus supporting the broader transition to a net-zero future.

Keywords: net-zero target for the built environment sector; IoT for the built environment; domestic smart metering infrastructure; smart metering data; energy data and digitalisation; energy intelligence for the built environment (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: 2025
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