Smart Systems for Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality in Buildings

The transition towards zero-emission buildings requires not only high-performance envelopes and energy-efficient systems, but also the integration of smart monitoring and control solutions that optimise both energy use and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Recent EU Directives highlight the importance of equipping buildings with advanced measurement and control devices for indoor air quality and encourage their implementation in buildings, as people spend a significant part of their time indoors, and the presence of pollutants can lead to harmful exposure, resulting in health risks. Despite advances in sensor technologies and building automation, there is still a limited understanding of how integrated smart systems can dynamically optimize energy use and IEQ, particularly under real operating conditions. Key research gaps include the evaluation of system interoperability, the effectiveness of predictive and self-regulating control strategies, and the assessment of occupant engagement and eco-feedback mechanisms.



This Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between building energy performance, indoor environmental quality, and building smartness, emphasizing the evaluation of interoperable systems. We invite contributions addressing smart meters, building automation, IEQ sensors, pollutant indoor sources, and ventilation systems. Papers discussing the assessment and enhancement of Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), eco-feedback systems, occupant engagement, and predictive control strategies are highly encouraged. Contributions may focus on experimental studies, modelling, simulation, case studies, comparative evaluations of system architectures, or innovative monitoring and control methods, including cost-effectiveness and scalability analyses.



Potential submissions may include, but are not limited to:

• Development and validation of interoperable control and monitoring systems

• Real-time assessment and optimization of energy use and IEQ

• Eco-feedback and occupant-centred interventions to improve behaviour and comfort

• Predictive control strategies and data-driven optimization

• Case studies demonstrating successful implementation in new or renovated buildings

We welcome diverse article types, including original research, methods, perspectives, opinions, hypotheses, theories, and full reviews. Submissions should provide insights that advance our understanding of how integrated smart systems can simultaneously improve energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and building smartness, ultimately supporting the deployment of zero-emission buildings that are healthy and comfortable for occupants. The Research Topic is interdisciplinary, inviting contributions from building science, control engineering, environmental monitoring, data analytics, and human-centred design.

Article types and fees

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

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

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:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Smart buildings, indoor environmental quality, pollutant sources, energy efficiency, zero-emission buildings, smart readiness indicator, eco-feedback, building automation, monitoring systems

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.