The Influence of Industry 4.0 on Sustainability in the Context of Smart Energy Systems

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between industry 4.0 and sustainable development is critical. This paper seeks to add to this area of study by outlining how industry 4.0 can influence the sustainable development of smart energy systems. This dissertation aims to undertake a qualitative evaluation of existing digitisation literature to identify the primary energy sustainability functions of industry 4.0. This dissertation begins by studying several interpretations of the concept of industry 4.0, ranging from its applicable technologies and capacities to the issues that surround this vast concept. It also addresses sustainability by critically evaluating written publications about its significance to industry 4.0 and from multiple contexts, including sustainable energy, renewable energy, and sustainable development goals. This dissertation found aspects of smart energy systems around which little is known in statistical data and potential practical adaptation to the actual world. The scope of this research investigates the distinct roles and influences of industry 4.0 for sustainable growth and Smart energy systems. This specific scope was chosen based on the limitations of previous studies, which included the three main research factors of sustainability, smart networks, and how they can benefit or be impacted by the vast research topic field of industry 4.0. Several articles discuss a lack of good literature on the three terms, implying the possibility of a research gap (Gajdzik et al., 2020). Keywords: industry 4.0; industrial revolution; sustainability; sustainable development goals; renewable energy; energy sustainability; smart energy systems; smart grids; smart networks; smart manufacturing