Energy-Efficient IoT Systems: Integrating Low-Power Protocols and Adaptive Algorithms for a Greener Future

Abstract

The IoT has revolutionized various sectors by enhancing connectivity and automation, but the rapid expansion of IoT networks has led to significant challenges in energy consumption as well as sustainability. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for energy-efficient IoT systems, designed to reduce power consumption, extend device lifespan, and maintain high performance. The proposed framework integrates low-power communication protocols, adaptive power management algorithms, and energy harvesting techniques to optimize energy usage across IoT applications such as smart homes, industrial IoT, healthcare, along with smart cities. The methodology employed includes a literature review, system design, simulation modelling, prototype development, and field testing. The framework was tested in real-world environments to assess its impact on energy consumption, device longevity, and network performance. The results show that the proposed framework leads to a reduction in energy consumption by approximately 35% and improves device lifespan by 30-33%. These benefits were particularly prominent in smart homes and industrial IoT applications. Although there was some minor reduction in network throughput, the trade-off was minimal, ensuring that system performance remained high while achieving substantial energy savings. The study concludes that energy-efficient IoT systems can significantly reduce environmental impact and operational costs, making them essential for the sustainable evolution of IoT technologies. The framework provides valuable insights for developing greener IoT solutions that balance energy efficiency, system performance, scalability, and security. Further research is recommended to refine the framework, explore advanced energy harvesting methods, and optimize power management strategies for specific IoT domains.