Smart Water-Energy Nexus in Concrete Manufacturing: Harnessing Renewable Energy and AI for Sustainable Development
Mariam Iyabo ADEOBA, Thanyani PANDELANI, Harry NGANGWA, Tracy MASEBE
Abstract. Concrete’s high energy and water requirements contribute to environmental degradation and global resource use. This mini-review employs a scoping and thematic synthesis of peer reviewed literature from 2020 to 2024, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy and sustainable water-energy management in concrete manufacturing. The review explores circular economy models for integrated energy-water systems AI-driven process optimization, water conservation and reuse techniques and the deployment of renewable energy technologies such as solar PV, biomass and biogas. Key findings highlight the potential of digital twins and smart sensors for real-time monitoring, the effectiveness of treated industrial wastewater in reducing freshwater dependency, and the economic viability of bio-based admixtures. While these innovations offer promising synergies for sustainability, adoption barriers such as high initial costs, technical complexity, and regulatory gaps remain. The study underscores the need for transdisciplinary innovation and policy alignment to foster low-carbon, water-efficient construction practices.
Keywords
Environmental Degradation, Water Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Concrete Production, Cement
Published online 4/2/2026, 11 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Mariam Iyabo ADEOBA, Thanyani PANDELANI, Harry NGANGWA, Tracy MASEBE, Smart Water-Energy Nexus in Concrete Manufacturing: Harnessing Renewable Energy and AI for Sustainable Development, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 63, pp 132-142, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904053-15
The article was published as article 15 of the book Advances in Cement and Concrete Research
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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