Energy Poverty and Poor Buildings: A Brief Literature Review to Promote New Topics for Future Studies

Abstract

The topic of energy poverty is a vast and complex one warranting extensive research. During the XX century, numerous research articles, books, and documents were published with the aim of defining energy poverty, measuring it, and proposing solutions to tackle it. The phenomenon of energy poverty can be studied using a variety of research methods, including the usual economic and econometric analyses, as well as energy policy. Research can also be conducted on the measurement of energy poverty and its social and health impact on disadvantaged communities. This can be explored in depth within specific subject areas, such as engineering, energy, environmental science, and social science. This brief review of literature focuses on energy poverty and poor buildings, thermal comfort, and the phenomenon of cooling poverty. The aim of this brief literature review is to show to a young researcher a previous framework and, through some keywords, that it is useful to drive future research using keywords.