ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANAGEMENT IN SMART CITY – SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS ASPECTS.

Purpose: The purpose of this publication is to present the usage of smartphone application in Smart Cities in energy efficiency management. Design/methodology/approach: Critical literature analysis. Analysis of international literature from main databases and polish literature and legal acts connecting with researched topic. Findings: The rise of the Internet of Things has made smart devices commonplace in homes and businesses. Smartphone apps play a key role in enabling users to control and monitor these devices, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. Real-time data on energy consumption informs users' decisions, leading to reduced energy waste and costs. These apps not only offer convenience but also support customization and automation for energy-efficient operations. Participation in demand response programs and integration with renewable energy sources further enhance energy efficiency. Smartphone applications also contribute to eco-friendly commuting and optimized waste management, while educating users about their environmental impact and ways to reduce energy consumption sustainably. Despite their advantages, smartphone applications face challenges related to data privacy, adoption, compatibility, user education, reliability, affordability, and access inequalities. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for smart city planners and developers to fully harness the potential of smartphone applications in creating energy-efficient and sustainable smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]