Integration of IoT-based healthcare devices within the smart grid architecture model: a conceptual framework with economic and energy assessment for elderly care in Europe
- 1EUAbout , ,
- 2Marche Polytechnic University, DIISM , ,
Abstract
Introduction
This study investigates the integration of IoT-enabled medical devices within the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) to support elderly home-based care in Europe. The study develops a conceptual SGAM-IoT framework that maps healthcare devices, actors, communication pathways, and functions across the SGAM interoperability layers, domains, and zones, with particular attention to interoperability, data exchange and integration between the home environment, healthcare services, and energy-aware infrastructure.Methods
The conceptual framework is complemented by a quantitative analytical assessment of the economic and energy implications of five commonly used home-monitoring devices: a pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, digital thermometer, smart ECG monitor, and blood glucose monitor. The assessment relies on secondary European healthcare data, literature, manufacturer information, and market-based estimates rather than primary empirical measurements or experimental deployment. Economic feasibility is examined through Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV), and a three-scenario sensitivity analysis, while electricity consumption is estimated from rated device power and assumed operating time.Results
Under the reference-scenario assumptions, the analysis produces a BCR of 2.75 and a positive NPV, while the sensitivity analysis indicates that the economic result remains positive under conservative assumptions. The revised energy assessment estimates a combined electricity consumption of approximately 0.12 kWh per month, confirming that the direct energy demand of the selected devices is marginal.Discussion
These findings suggest that the main value of SGAM in this context lies not in device-level energy savings, but in providing a structured framework for interoperability, communication, data exchange, and integration with wider home-healthcare infrastructure. Potential benefits for continuity of care, autonomy and elderly well-being are discussed as expected implications requiring future empirical validation.
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BibTeX
@article{aghajani2026integration,
title = {{Integration of IoT-based healthcare devices within the smart grid architecture model: a conceptual framework with economic and energy assessment for elderly care in Europe}},
author = {Azad Aghajani and Marco Ciro Liscio and Lorenzo Scalise and Paolo Sospiro},
journal = {Frontiers in digital health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fdgth.2026.1897840},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716548},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integration of IoT-based healthcare devices within the smart grid architecture model: a conceptual framework with economic and energy assessment for elderly care in Europe
AU - Azad Aghajani
AU - Marco Ciro Liscio
AU - Lorenzo Scalise
AU - Paolo Sospiro
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in digital health
DO - 10.3389/fdgth.2026.1897840
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716548
AB - Introduction This study investigates the integration of IoT-enabled medical devices within the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) to support elderly home-based care in Europe. The study develops a conceptual SGAM-IoT framework that maps healthcare devices, actors, communication pathways, and functions across the SGAM interoperability layers, domains, and zones, with particular attention to interoperability, data exchange and integration between the home environment, healthcare services, and energy-aware infrastructure.Methods The conceptual framework is complemented by a quantitative analytical assessment of the economic and energy implications of five commonly used home-monitoring devices: a pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, digital thermometer, smart ECG monitor, and blood glucose monitor. The assessment relies on secondary European healthcare data, literature, manufacturer information, and market-based estimates rather than primary empirical measurements or experimental deployment. Economic feasibility is examined through Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV), and a three-scenario sensitivity analysis, while electricity consumption is estimated from rated device power and assumed operating time.Results Under the reference-scenario assumptions, the analysis produces a BCR of 2.75 and a positive NPV, while the sensitivity analysis indicates that the economic result remains positive under conservative assumptions. The revised energy assessment estimates a combined electricity consumption of approximately 0.12 kWh per month, confirming that the direct energy demand of the selected devices is marginal.Discussion These findings suggest that the main value of SGAM in this context lies not in device-level energy savings, but in providing a structured framework for interoperability, communication, data exchange, and integration with wider home-healthcare infrastructure. Potential benefits for continuity of care, autonomy and elderly well-being are discussed as expected implications requiring future empirical validation.
SN - 2673-253X
ER -