In this paper, we aim to provide a power trade system that will promote a sustainable electrical energy transaction ecosystem between prosumers and consumers of smart homes. We suggest a blockchain-based peer-to-peer (P2P) energy transaction platform be implemented to enable efficient electrical energy transaction between prosumers. We suggest the platform be built on the blockchain, as this technology allows a decentralized and distributed trading system, and allows a more transparent, trustworthy and secure P2P trading environment. We believe that such characteristics of the blockchain are necessary in electrical energy transactions within the smart home environment because the smart home aims to enhance user comfort and security, along with energy conservation and cost-savings. First, we classify the two different types of P2P trade to identify which will best benefit from the use of the suggested blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform. Within the two types of P2P trade, that we classify (pure P2P trade and hybrid P2P trade), the hybrid P2P trade will benefit more from a blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform. In the blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform, a smart contract is embedded in the blockchain and called an energy tag. The energy tag will set conditions for making every future energy transaction more cost-efficient while maintaining the most ideal and high-quality energy selection. With the blockchain-based energy tag in the energy-transaction process, multiple energy resources and home appliances will be democratically connected in order to provide users with high-quality, low-cost energy at all times and locations. In this paper, we provide simulation results that compare the unit price of electrical energy on the suggested platform to the unit price of electrical energy set by currently existing conventional power-generation companies. Additionally, we present simulation results that calculate how long initial investments to create a smart home environment that enables P2P energy transactions will take to be paid back. Based on simulation results, we believe that, in the long run, the suggested blockchain-based P2P energy-transaction platform will create a sustainable energy-transaction environment between consumers and prosumers, and the expanding ecosystem will enable the development of a trusted, sustainable, secure and energy-efficient energy transaction environment.

Recently, fire accidents in buildings have become bigger around the world, and it has become necessary to build an efficient building disaster management system suitable for fires in a Smart City. As building fires increase the number of casualties and property damage, it is necessary to take appropriate action accordingly. There has been an increasing effort to develop such disaster management systems worldwide by applying information communication technology (ICT), and many studies have been conducted in practice. In this paper, an augmented reality (AR)-based Smart Building and Town Disaster Management System is suggested in order to acquire visibility and to grasp occupants in case of fire disasters in buildings. This system provides visualization information and optimal guide for quick initial response by utilizing smart element AR-based disaster management service through linkage of physical virtual domain in the building. Additionally, we show a scenario flow chart of the fire extinguishment process according to the time from the ignition stage to the extinguishment stage in the building. Finally, we introduce the related sensors, the actuators, and a small test-bed for AR-based disaster management service. This test-bed was designed for interlocking and interoperability test of the system between the sensors and the actuators. It is expected that the proposed system can provide a quick and safe rescue guideline to the occupants and rescuers in the building where fire is generated and in regions of poor visibility.

To realize carbon neutrality, understanding the energy consumed in the building sector, which is more than that in other sectors, such as industry, agriculture, and commerce, is pivotal. Approximately 37% of energy consumption belongs to the building sector, and management of building energy is a critical factor. In this paper, we present an energy sharing scenario for energy stabilization, assuming that electric vehicles and their charging stations are widely distributed in the future. Consequently, fewer fuel cars will exist, and electric cars will become the major mode of transportation. Therefore, it is essential to install charging stations for electric vehicles in the parking lots of future buildings, and business models are expected to expand. In this paper, we introduce a future energy stabilization mechanism for peak power management in buildings and present a platform that entails connection-based energy trading technology based on a scenario. We also propose an energy supply strategy to prevent excess prices incurred due to peak consumption. Then, we analyzed the electricity bill for one month through scenario-based simulations of an existing building and the proposed system. When applying the proposed system, we derived a result that can reduce electricity rates by 38.3% (best case) to 78.5% (worst case) compared with the existing rates.

Energy-efficient and sustainable building management has always been a key concern surrounding buildings. The rise of environmental and social concern in today’s world has brought more attention to the issue of sustainable and smart building management. This paper aims to review the state-of-the-art research and performance on building management that aims to make more sustainable and energy-efficient decisions. This paper classifies building management based on technologies utilized for management and different aspects of management that should be considered when regarding the larger picture of “sustainability”. Additionally, while keeping in mind that long-term sustainability cannot be achieved through energy management alone, this research investigates previous works that also mention diverse aspects that must be taken into consideration when creating a truly successful smart building environment: costs, occupant comfort, and security. Of course, each field deserves an extensive analysis, but the purpose of this review paper is to deliver current research that has brought attention to the rapidly shifting and developing field of smart buildings to provide a macro-level holistic viewpoint on how smart buildings and homes should be approached from a sustainability viewpoint.

We explore the nature of industry mission statements, and how a comprehensive and directed mission statement could lead to securing loyal consumers and successful industry performance. Through collecting and analyzing data on industry mission statements, we organize keywords extracted from the analysis, and further suggest methods in which companies can expand on through a clearly targeted mission statement.