Technology Transfer for Energy Efficiency in the Industry 4.0 Era: A Systematic Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242026000100098

Keywords:

Energy Efficiency, Technology Transfer, Anthropotechnology, Sustainability

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic review of the literature on Technology Transfer and its role in the implementation of Energy Efficiency in the Industry 4.0 era. The main objective was to survey a portfolio using the Methodi Ordinatio 2.0 methodology, in order to understand whether the transfer of knowledge and technologies has contributed to the implementation of energy efficiency practices. The review revealed that technology transfer plays a fundamental role in optimizing the use of energy resources, facilitating the adoption of more efficient and sustainable solutions. Collaboration between different sectors and regions, as well as capacity building and sharing of good practices, were identified as key factors for the successful implementation of these technologies. Furthermore, the research highlighted the importance of public policies to encourage this transfer, especially in areas with lower technological capacity. It is concluded that technology transfer is essential to achieve global energy efficiency and sustainability goals, and that its continued promotion will be decisive for the development of innovative and scalable solutions in the future.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Regina Negri Pagani, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná , Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil

Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná [https://ror.org/002v2kq79], Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil

References

Abu-Rayash, A., & Dincer, I. (2019). Sustainability assessment of energy systems: A novel integrated model. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 1098-1116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.090

Ahmad, A., Rambabu, K., Hasan, S. W., Show, P. L., & Banat, F. (2024). Biohydrogen production through dark fermentation: Recent trends and advances in transition to a circular bioeconomy. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 52, 335-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.05.161

Amaral, A. R., Rodrigues, E., Gaspar, A. R., & Gomes, Á. (2023). How organizational constraints undermine sustainability actions in a university's campuses: A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 411, 137270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137270

Arroyo, P., Tommelein, I. D., Ballard, G., & Rumsey, P. (2016). Choosing by advantages: A case study for selecting an HVAC system for a net zero energy museum. Energy and Buildings, 111, 26-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.10.023

Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas. (2018). NBR ISO 50001: Sistemas de gestão da energia — Requisitos com orientações para uso. ABNT.

Barbieri, N., Consoli, D., Napolitano, L., Perruchas, F., Pugliese, E., & Sbardella, A. (2023). Regional technological capabilities and green opportunities in Europe. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 48(2), 749-778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-022-09952-y

Bartiaux, F., Gram-Hanssen, K., Fonseca, P., Ozoliņa, L., & Christensen, T. H. (2014). A practice–theory approach to homeowners' energy retrofits in four European areas. Building Research & Information, 42(4), 525-538. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2014.900253

Benedetti, M., Giordano, L., & Salvio, M. (2022). Explorative study on waste heat production intensity and recovery practices in the textile sector: First steps towards the creation of a decision support tool based on real data. Journal of Cleaner Production, 359, 131928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131928

Bogaerts, A., Neyts, E. C., Guaitella, O., & Murphy, A. B. (2022). Foundations of plasma catalysis for environmental applications. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 31(5), 053002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/ac5f8e

Brunke, J. C., Johansson, M., & Thollander, P. (2014). Empirical investigation of barriers and drivers to the adoption of energy conservation measures, energy management practices and energy services in the Swedish iron and steel industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 84, 509-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.04.078

Cannavacciuolo, L., Ferraro, G., Ponsiglione, C., Primario, S., & Quinto, I. (2023). Technological innovation-enabling industry 4.0 paradigm: A systematic literature review. Technovation, 124, 102733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102733

Cantarero, M. M. V. (2020). Of renewable energy, energy democracy, and sustainable development: A roadmap to accelerate the energy transition in developing countries. Energy Research & Social Science, 70, 101716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101716

Chai, K. H., & Baudelaire, C. (2015). Understanding the energy efficiency gap in Singapore: A motivation, opportunity, and ability perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 100, 224-234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.03.064

Corsi, A., Kovaleski, J. L., & Negri Pagani, R. (2021). Technology transfer, anthropotechnology and sustainable development: How do the themes relate? Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 16(4), 96-108. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242021000400096

Corsi, A., Kovaleski, J. L., Negri Pagani, R., & Silva, V. L. (2020). Technology transfer for sustainable development: Social impacts depicted and some other answers to a few questions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 245, 118522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118522

Corsi, A., Souza, F. F., Negri Pagani, R., & Kovaleski, J. L. (2021). Technology transfer oriented to sustainable development: Proposal of a theoretical model based on barriers and opportunities. Scientometrics, 126, 5081-5112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-03969-0

Cui, J., Liu, X., Sun, Y., & Yu, H. (2020). Can CDM projects trigger host countries' innovation in renewable energy? Evidence of firm-level dataset from China. Energy Policy, 139, 111349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111349

Decuypere, R., Robaeyst, B., Hudders, L., Baccarne, B., & Van de Sompel, D. (2022). Transitioning to energy efficient housing: Drivers and barriers of intermediaries in heat pump technology. Energy Policy, 161, 112709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112709

Durán-Romero, G., López, A. M., Beliaeva, T., Ferasso, M., Garonne, C., & Jones, P. (2020). Bridging the gap between circular economy and climate change mitigation policies through eco-innovations and Quintuple Helix Model. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 160, 120246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120246

Fenerich, F. C., Guedes, K., Cordeiro, N. H. M., Lima, G. de S., & de Oliveira, A. L. G. (2023). Energy efficiency in industrial environments: An updated review and a new research agenda. Revista de Gestão e Secretariado, 14(3), 3319-3347. https://doi.org/10.7769/gesec.v14i3.1802

Fořt, J., & Černý, R. (2022). Limited interdisciplinary knowledge transfer as a missing link for sustainable building retrofits in the residential sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 343, 131079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131079

Gahm, C., Denz, F., Dirr, M., & Tuma, A. (2016). Energy-efficient scheduling in manufacturing companies: A review and research framework. European Journal of Operational Research, 248(3), 744-757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2015.07.017

Ghadaksaz, H., & Saboohi, Y. (2020). Energy supply transformation pathways in Iran to reduce GHG emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Energy Strategy Reviews, 32, 100541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2020.100541

Ghorbani, Y., Zhang, S. E., Nwaila, G. T., Bourdeau, J. E., & Rose, D. H. (2024). Embracing a diverse approach to a globally inclusive green energy transition: Moving beyond decarbonisation and recognising realistic carbon reduction strategies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140414

Ghouchani, M., Taji, M., Cheheltani, A. S., & Chehr, M. S. (2021). Developing a perspective on the use of renewable energy in Iran. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 172, 121049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121049

Guedes, K., Cristina Fenerich, F., & Gazoli de Oliveira, A. L. (2025). Practices for energy efficiency in manufacturing from the perspective of sustainability: A framework and process. Environmental & Social Management Journal, 19(7). https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v19n7-079

Gutiérrez-Sánchez, O., De Mot, B., Bulut, M., Pant, D., & Breugelmans, T. (2022). Engineering aspects for the design of a bicarbonate zero-gap flow electrolyzer for the conversion of CO₂ to formate. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 14(27), 30760-30771. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c05457

Hasanbeigi, A., & Price, L. (2012). A review of energy use and energy efficiency technologies for the textile industry. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(6), 3648-3665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.03.029

Heideier, R., Bajay, S. V., Jannuzzi, G. M., Gomes, R. D., Guanais, L., Ribeiro, I., & Paccola, A. (2020). Impacts of photovoltaic distributed generation and energy efficiency measures on the electricity market of three representative Brazilian distribution utilities. Energy for Sustainable Development, 54, 60-71.

Huang, R., He, H., & Su, Q. (2024). An intelligent full-knowledge transferable collaborative eco-driving framework based on improved soft actor-critic algorithm. Applied Energy, 375, 124078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124078

Hutchins, M. J., Robinson, S. L., & Dornfeld, D. (2013). Understanding life cycle social impacts in manufacturing: A processed-based approach. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 32(4), 536-542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2013.05.008

International Energy Agency. (2023). World energy outlook and state of renewable energy: 10-year evaluation. Innovation and Green Development, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2023.100070

Ismail, M., Hamzah, S. R. A., & Bebenroth, R. (2018). Differentiating knowledge transfer and technology transfer: What should an organizational manager need to know? European Journal of Training and Development, 42(9), 611-628. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-04-2018-0042

Jebli, M. B., & Youssef, S. B. (2015). The environmental Kuznets curve, economic growth, renewable and non-renewable energy, and trade in Tunisia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 47, 173-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.02.049

Johansen, K., & Werner, S. (2022). Something is sustainable in the state of Denmark: A review of the Danish district heating sector. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 158, 112117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112117

Kamal, A., Al-Ghamdi, S. G., & Koc, M. (2019). Revaluing the costs and benefits of energy efficiency: A systematic review. Energy Research & Social Science, 54, 68-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.03.012

Khosla, R., Agarwal, A., Sircar, N., & Chatterjee, D. (2021). The what, why, and how of changing cooling energy consumption in India's urban households. Environmental Research Letters, 16(4), 044035. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abecbc

Kornarius, Y. P., Vanderstukken, A., Gunawan, A., & Stoffers, J. (2025). Industry 4.0 technologies in the service sector: A systematic literature review. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 20(4), 114-129. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242025000400114

Kovaleski, F., Picinin, C. T., & Kovaleski, J. L. (2022). The challenges of technology transfer in the Industry 4.0 era regarding anthropotechnological aspects: A systematic review. Sage Open, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221111104

Lai, R., Zhang, B., Gong, G., Yuan, H., Yang, J., Zhang, J., & Zhou, M. (2024). Energy-efficient scheduling in UAV-assisted hierarchical wireless sensor networks. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 11(11), 20194-20206. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2024.3369722

Liaudat, S., Zukerfeld, M., & Terlizzi, M. S. (2025). Barriers to local use of publicly funded knowledge: Cognitive appropriation and technology transfer in Argentina. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 20(4). https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242025000400060

Luna-Navarro, A., Loonen, R., Juaristi, M., Monge-Barrio, A., Attia, S., & Overend, M. (2020). Occupant-facade interaction: A review and classification scheme. Building and Environment, 177, 106880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106880

Martinot, E., Sinton, J. E., & Haddad, A. B. M. (1997). International technology transfer for climate change mitigation and the cases of Russia and China. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, 22(1), 357-401. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.22.1.357

Neri, A., Cagno, E., Di Sebastiano, G., & Trianni, A. (2018). Industrial sustainability: Modelling drivers and mechanisms with barriers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 194, 452-472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.05.140

Njoh, A. J. (2021). A systematic review of environmental determinants of renewable energy performance in Ethiopia: A PESTECH analysis. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 147, 111243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111243

Ouyang, X., Wei, X., Sun, C., & Du, G. (2018). Impact of factor price distortions on energy efficiency: Evidence from provincial-level panel data in China. Energy Policy, 118, 573-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.04.022

Pagani, R. N., Kovaleski, J. L., & Resende, L. M. (2015). Methodi Ordinatio: A proposed methodology to select and rank relevant scientific papers encompassing the impact factor, number of citation, and year of publication. Scientometrics, 105(3), 2109-2135.

Pagani, R. N., Kovaleski, J. L., & Resende, L. M. (2017). Tics na composição da Methodi Ordinatio: Construção de portfólio bibliográfico sobre modelos de transferência de tecnologia. Ciência da Informação, 46(2). https://doi.org/10.18225/ci.inf.v47i1.1886

Pagani, R. N., Pedroso, B., dos Santos, C. B., Picinin, C. T., & Kovaleski, J. L. (2023). Methodi Ordinatio 2.0: Revisited under statistical estimation, and presenting FInder and RankIn. Quality & Quantity, 57(5), 4563-4602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-022-01562-y

Pagani, R. N., Zammar, G., Kovaleski, J. L., & Resende, L. M. (2016). Technology transfer models: Typology and a generic model. International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 14(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTTC.2016.079923

Pang, R. Z., Deng, Z. Q., & Hu, J. L. (2015). Clean energy use and total-factor efficiencies: An international comparison. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 52, 1158-1171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.08.002

Patterson, M. G. (1996). What is energy efficiency? Concepts, indicators and methodological issues. Energy Policy, 24(5), 377-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/0301-4215(96)00017-1

Popp, D. (2011). International technology transfer, climate change, and the clean development mechanism. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 5(1), 131-152. https://doi.org/10.1093/reep/req018

Qiu, P., Nunes, B., Vaidya, K., Van De Kaa, G., & Greeven, M. (2022). Technological capabilities development model in Chinese energy service companies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 330, 129551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129551

Rani, P., Yadav, D. K., Yadav, A., Bishnoi, N. R., Kumar, V., Ram, C., & Kumar, S. S. (2024). Frontier in dark fermentative biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass: Challenges and future prospects. Fuel, 366, 131187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131187

Salvia, M., Simoes, S. G., Herrando, M., Čavar, M., Cosmi, C., Pietrapertosa, F., & Di Leo, S. (2021). Improving policy making and strategic planning competencies of public authorities in the energy management of municipal public buildings: The PrioritEE toolbox and its application in five Mediterranean areas. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, 110106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110106

Sarkodie, S. A., & Strezov, V. (2019). Effect of foreign direct investments, economic development and energy consumption on greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries. Science of the Total Environment, 646, 862-871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.365

Schlomann, B., & Schleich, J. (2015). Adoption of low-cost energy efficiency measures in the tertiary sector: An empirical analysis based on energy survey data. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 43, 1127-1133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.089

Seow, Y., & Rahimifard, S. (2011). A framework for modelling energy consumption within manufacturing systems. CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology, 4(3), 258-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirpj.2011.03.007

Shove, E. (1998). Gaps, barriers and conceptual chasms: Theories of technology transfer and energy in buildings. Energy Policy, 26(15), 1105-1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(98)00065-2

Silva, V. L., Kovaleski, J. L., & Pagani, R. N. (2019). Technology transfer in the supply chain oriented to industry 4.0: A literature review. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 31(5), 546-562. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2018.1524135

Silva, V. L., Kovaleski, J. L., & Pagani, R. N. (2022). Fundamental elements in technology transfer: An in-depth analysis. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 34(2), 223-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2021.1894328

Sola, A. V., & Mota, C. M. (2020). Influencing factors on energy management in industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 248, 119263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119263

Stieß, I., & Dunkelberg, E. (2013). Objectives, barriers and occasions for energy efficient refurbishment by private homeowners. Journal of Cleaner Production, 48, 250-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.09.041

Trianni, A., Cagno, E., & Neri, A. (2017). Modelling barriers to the adoption of industrial sustainability measures. Journal of Cleaner Production, 168, 1482-1504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.244

Tseng, S. S., Chen, H. C., Hu, L. L., & Lin, Y. T. (2017). CBR-based negotiation RBAC model for enhancing ubiquitous resources management. International Journal of Information Management, 37(1), 1539-1550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2016.05.009

Valenti, G., Valenti, A., & Staboli, S. (2019). Proposal of a thermally-driven air compressor for waste heat recovery. Energy Conversion and Management, 196, 1113-1125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.06.072

Wan, J., Baylis, K., & Mulder, P. (2015). Trade-facilitated technology spillovers in energy productivity convergence processes across EU countries. Energy Economics, 48, 253-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2014.12.014

Wang, C., Guo, Y., Shao, S., Fan, M., & Chen, S. (2020). Regional carbon imbalance within China: An application of the Kaya-Zenga index. Journal of Environmental Management, 262, 110378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110378

Wang, Y., Shang, F., & Lei, J. (2023). Multi-granularity fusion resource allocation algorithm based on dual-attention deep reinforcement learning and lifelong learning architecture in heterogeneous IIoT. Information Fusion, 99, 101871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2023.101871

Wohlfarth, K., Eichhammer, W., Schlomann, B., & Mielicke, U. (2017). Learning networks as an enabler for informed decisions to target energy-efficiency potentials in companies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 163, 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.128

Yin, S., & Li, B. (2018). Matching management of supply and demand of green building technologies based on a novel matching method with intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Journal of Cleaner Production, 201, 748-763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.055

Zou, P. X., & Alam, M. (2020). Closing the building energy performance gap through component level analysis and stakeholder collaborations. Energy and Buildings, 224, 110276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110276

Downloads

Published

2026-04-28

How to Cite

Guedes, K., Kovaleski, J. L., & Negri Pagani, R. (2026). Technology Transfer for Energy Efficiency in the Industry 4.0 Era: A Systematic Review. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 21(1), 98–111. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242026000100098

Issue

Section

Review