Front Matter

Today’s energy systems are increasingly complex yet expected to be highly reliable due to the economic and social importance of energy. Globally, the energy industry is on an accelerated energy transition drive, which seeks to wean the industry from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. At the same time, the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is revolutionizing industries, economies, and societies at large. Disruptive technologies have emerged, and are transforming industry processes and creating novel business models. The integration of these technologies with the energy industry give rise to the term Energy 4.0. It is the nexus between the energy industry and Industry 4.0.

This book, Energy 4.0: Concepts & Applications, focuses on introducing Energy 4.0 in a detailed yet concise manner. It details critical Energy 4.0 concepts and delves into significant practical applications of these concepts in the energy industry.

The book is divided into four sections. The first section is the introductory part, which spans Chaps. 1–3.

In Chap. 1, the introduction and overview of Industry 4.0 is given. It covers the major technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, including the Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Augmented Reality, Robotics, Rapid Prototyping Technologies and Blockchain. These technologies are introduced, and their applications in the energy industry are briefly detailed.

Chap. 2 reviews the trends driving Energy 4.0. It begins with basic definitions of Industry 4.0 & Energy 4.0, then unpacks key trends that are advancing Energy 4.0. The key trends considered include digitalization, decentralization, decarbonization and emerging technologies. These trends are analyzed, and their impact on the energy system are detailed.

At the heart of Industry 4.0 are Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). Similarly, at the core of Energy 4.0 are Cyber-Physical Energy Systems (CPES). Chapter 3 delves into Cyber-Physical Energy Systems (CPES) in considerable detail. The chapter is essentially a systematic literature review that considers the various research works on the definition of CPES, distinguishing characteristics of CPES and practical applications in the CPES domain. The key takeaway is that Energy 4.0, which is the integration of cyber-physical principles into energy systems, is a vital step towards rapid energy transition and better global energy efficiency.

The book’s second section details important concepts underpinning Energy 4.0. It spans Chaps. 4 and 5.

Chapter 4 considers the self-organization and autonomous operation of cyber-physical energy systems—the heart of Energy 4.0. Cyber-Physical Energy Systems (CPES) are intelligent systems that are created by the incorporation of emerging technologies & ICT into energy systems. They facilitate real-time, reliable and secure energy delivery to end users.

Self-organized systems independently monitor the environment, offer information, and adjust to changes. Autonomous operations enable effective, reliable, and safe energy distribution without human involvement. These concepts are considered in relation to Energy 4.0.

Chapter 5 delves into the auditability and security of cyber-physical energy systems. It begins with the fundamental definitions of security and auditability in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and extends it to CPES. The ability to remotely track energy assets and real-time energy consumption is called auditability in cyber-physical energy systems. An ICT-based system like CPES is susceptible to attacks, hence its security is crucial. These concepts are considered in relation to Energy 4.0.

The third section, which spans Chaps. 6–11, details various applications of Energy 4.0.

Chapter 6 considers blockchain technology. The cryptography-based security mechanisms of blockchain technology make it highly reliable. It is particularly suited for improving the efficiency of processes that traditionally involve intermediaries. The financial sector has been at the forefront of blockchain adoption; however, the energy sector is increasingly leveraging the technology. The chapter describes the three types blockchain architecture, and explains various blockchain consensus mechanisms. Bitcoin, Ethereum and Hyperledger are briefly introduced, and real-world blockchain use cases are presented.

In Chap. 7, data analytics in Energy 4.0 is considered. This relates to the capturing, storage, and analysis of huge data volumes available in the energy sector. Many of the technologies driving Energy 4.0 produce or depend on data. The chapter introduces data science and its various classifications. It details some applications of data analytics in the energy industry. Energy 4.0’s data-related challenges are also discussed.

Chapter 8 delves into the smart grid. It provides a fundamental understanding of the Smart Grid, including its concepts and definition, historical context and drivers, the relationship between smart meters and smart grids, current research directions in the field, and case studies of its integration into various power systems around the world.

Energy storage is covered in Chap. 9. Energy storage is crucial to the stability of renewable energy-integrated modern grids. By storing energy during off-peak periods and releasing it during peak periods, energy storage facilitates the efficient use of renewable energy sources. This chapter outlines the most recent developments in energy storage research and provides case examples of the incorporation of energy storage devices into large energy systems.

In Chap. 10, Smart buildings are discussed. Smart buildings are integrated systems that leverage “automation” and “intelligence” to optimize the functional requirements of buildings. Smart buildings can be leveraged to advance energy efficiency, decarbonization, cost minimization, and climate change mitigation. The chapter also considers the nexus between smart buildings and smart cities. The consensus is that smart buildings and smart cities can enhance building utility and operational efficiency.

Chapter 11 discusses the concept of energy prosumers. The chapter introduces the concept and describes some prosumer meter configurations. The concept of peer-to-peer trading and its functional layers are also explained.

The final section of the book is presented in Chap. 12. It details the book’s conclusions and highlights prominent application domains. Unexplored research terrains are also provided.