The Role of Digital Technologies in Improving Energy Efficiency at Logistics Facilities: A State-of-the-Art

The logistics industry is facing increasing challenges that have been further amplified by recent disruptions. In this context, warehouses have been playing an ever-crucial role. They have been transitioning from simple storage centres into high-functional facilities where several and heterogeneous processes are performed to guarantee efficiency and service level fulfilment. These dramatic changes have often made them highly energy intensive. To cope with these changes, a wide array of digital technologies is now available and has started to be gradually introduced by companies at their logistics facilities to reduce energy consumption and improve the environmental sustainability of warehousing operations. Nevertheless, on the academic side, although a mounting number of papers have been found addressing the adoption of digital technologies at logistics facilities with an energy efficiency perspective, a clear overview of the solutions in place and their impact on warehousing processes has been largely neglected so far. This contribution aims at addressing this research gap by offering a state-of-the-art of the role of digital technologies in improving energy efficiency at logistics facilities. The study is based on a systematic review approach performed by means of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The research is part of a broader Italian funded PNRR Research project “Centro Nazionale per la Mobilità Sostenibile” (MOST) – Spoke 10 “Sustainable Logistics”. Results indicate that the impact of digital technologies on warehouse processes is still underexamined, and research has mainly focused on specific technical issues or single warehousing processes rather than providing a holistic approach. The study provides a comprehensive framework offering guidance for technology implementation. Implications are discussed and streams for future investigation are identified.