# Internet of Things (IoT) and the Energy Sector
## 3 Enabling Technologies
### Communication Technologies
Zigbee is easy to implement and planned to provide low-cost, low-data rate, and highly reliable networks for low-power applications [68; 69]. Zigbee also utilizes a mesh network specification where devices are connected with many interconnections. Using the mesh networking feature of Zigbee, the maximum communication range, which is up to 100 m, is extended significantly. In the energy sector, the example IoT applications of Zigbee include lighting systems (buildings and street lighting), smart grids, e.g., smart electric meters, home automation systems and industrial automation. These applications aim to provide approaches for consuming energy in an efficient way. In literature, aiming to minimize the energy expenses of the consumers, the research in [70] evaluates the performance of home energy management application through establishing a wireless sensor network using Zigbee. The authors of [71] also introduce smarthome interfaces to allow interoperability among ZigBee devices, electrical equipment, and smart meters to utilize the energy more efficiently. The work in [72] presents a ZigBee-based monitoring system which is used to measure and transfer the energy of home appliances at the outlets and the lights, aiming at reducing the energy consumption. Another study [73] presents field tests using ZigBee technologies for monitoring photovoltaic and wind energy systems. The results of the study demonstrate the proficiency of ZigBee devices applied in distributed renewable generation and smart metering systems. _Long Range (LoRa)_ LoRa is a wireless communication technology designed for IoT ([[https://lora-alliance.org/](https://lora-alliance.org/)]([https://lora-alliance.org/](https://lora-alliance.org/))). LoRA is a cost-effective communication technology for large deployment of IoT, it can add many years to battery life. LoRa is also used to establish long-distance broadcasts (more than 10 km in rural areas) with very low power consumption [74]. The features of this technology make it a suitable communication technology to be used in the energy sector mainly in smart cities, such as smart grids and building automation systems, e.g., smart metering. In literature, the work in [75] aims at optimizing energy consumption by deploying building energy management system using LoRa. The work proposes a platform by integrating multiple systems, such as air-conditioning, lighting, and energy monitoring to perform building energy optimization. The outcome of platform resulted in a 20% energy saving. In [76], the authors developed a machine-learning-based smart controller for a commercial buildings HVAC utilizing LoRa. The smart controller identifies when a room is not unoccupied and turns off the HVAC, reducing its energy consumption up to 19.8%. Using LoRa technology, another study [77] presents implementation of an electronic platform for energy management in public buildings. Through a test, the developed platform allows saving the energy for a lighting system by 40%. _Sigfox_ is a wide area network technology which uses an ultra narrow band ([[https://www.sigfox.com/](https://www.sigfox.com/)]([https://www.sigfox.com/](https://www.sigfox.com/))). Sigfox allows devices to communicate with low power for enabling IoT applications [78]. For the appropriateness of this technology in the energy sector for example, the study in [79] reviews the technological advances and presents Sigfox as one of the best low power candidates for smart metering for enabling real-time energy services for households. In addition, the study in [80] compare different low power wide area network technologies and conclude that Sigfox is a suitable solution to be used with electric plugs sensors alert in smart buildings. _Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT)_ is a LPWAN communication technology that supports large number of IoT devices and services with a high data rate with very low latency ([https://www.3 gpp.org/news-events/1733-niot/](https://www.3 gpp.org/news-events/1733-niot/)).