Designing Smart Energy Systems in an Industry 4.0 Paradigm towards Sustainable Environment

Abstract

Among the Sustainable Development Goals, ‘Green Issues’ have attracted significant research on sustainability transitions and regional diversification. The introduction of green environmental technologies within the frame of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is crucial for the diversification of local, sustainable activities to protect the environment against negative climate changes. The present paper provides evidence of the positive correlation among green activities if, and only if, green culture and capabilities are robust and exist. Close international coordination is needed. We point out that smart energy-designed systems are a real revolution in the post-industrial society dominated by the service sectors. Therefore, promoting ‘intelligent’ meters is a robust policy action in world energy-based economies. We investigate the policy effects for smart meter rollout in European countries by testing this green policy tool on different economic literature strands. A theoretical model is introduced, showing that a sustainable and efficient policy instrument will reinforce and develop local green culture. The spatial unit of investigation is the EU-28, and it verifies the effectiveness of smart meters as a valid post-industrial design tool toward more sustainable environmental policies.