Advanced Energy Management and Auditing Practices for Operational Buildings

Energy consumption in buildings is on the rise, driven by factors such as population growth, increased comfort demands, and urban infrastructure expansion. As buildings increasingly contribute to global energy use, enhancing their energy efficiency becomes pivotal in mitigating climate change impacts. Improving energy efficiency not only reduces environmental impacts but also minimizes operating costs, boosts occupant comfort, and contributes to energy security. Energy auditing plays a critical role in identifying inefficiencies, understanding consumption patterns, and prioritizing necessary improvements. With growing policy support exemplified by initiatives like green building certifications and energy performance labeling, it is crucial to advance both the technical and practical facets of auditing processes.

The introduction of emerging technologies and data analytics holds promise for transforming energy audits into more precise, automated, and cost-effective tools.
However, the challenge persists in that many buildings continue to have suboptimal energy performance due to factors like inadequate controls, poor insulation, and aging infrastructure. Traditional energy audits are essential for identifying performance gaps, yet they can be time-consuming, resource-intensive, and often disconnected from real-time data metrics. Existing methodologies frequently fall short in delivering actionable, data-driven recommendations tailored to specific building types and occupant behaviors. This is an area where modernization aligned with energy-efficient, low-emission building needs is vital.

This Research Topic aims to explore how energy auditing practices may be enhanced to meet current demands. The goal is to cultivate a comprehensive body of research addressing not only technical performance but also innovations in sensing technologies, digital diagnostics, and automation. We are particularly interested in manuscripts that connect audit results to strategic retrofit planning, highlight the integration of renewables, and promote user-focused design approaches. Contributions that foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and reflect diverse contexts—from residential to commercial buildings—are welcomed to inform scalable strategies for energy optimization.

To gather further insights into the modernization of energy auditing, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o AI and machine learning in audit analysis and prediction
o Digital twins, smart sensors, and real-time monitoring systems
o Standardization and automation of audit workflows
o Climate-responsive building diagnostics
o Energy retrofit case studies and performance evaluation
o User behavior modeling and energy use awareness
o Auditing for hybrid or net-zero energy buildings
o Integration of distributed renewable energy systems
o National or regional policy impacts on building audits

We are particularly interested in interdisciplinary contributions that bridge engineering, data science, architecture, and environmental policy. Manuscripts should provide robust methodologies and practical insights relevant to researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers working to improve energy performance in the built environment.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Energy Efficiency, Energy Audit, Water Audit, Buildings, Smart Buildings

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.