Virtual Power: How Metaverse Is Revolutionizing Clean and Resilient Energy Systems

In a pioneering study by researchers from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Kerala), Nirma University (Ahmedabad), Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies (Nagpur), and Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Management Studies and Research (Nagpur), the metaverse is explored not as a futuristic playground, but as a transformative force reshaping the global energy landscape. The authors investigate how advanced technologies such as digital twins (DT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing energy systems and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing from a curated analysis of 508 peer-reviewed publications using PRISMA methodology, BERTopic modeling, and SDG mapping, the study provides compelling evidence that these technologies, when integrated thoughtfully, have the power to drastically enhance energy sustainability, efficiency, and equity.

Digital Twins Driving Smarter Systems

Central to the metaverse’s role in energy transformation is the use of digital twins, virtual replicas of physical systems that provide real-time monitoring, simulation, and predictive analytics. The study documents several success stories: DTs have reduced fuel consumption in hybrid electric vehicles, minimized emissions, and optimized the performance of smart manufacturing machinery. In nuclear energy facilities, DTs enhance operational safety by predicting failures and guiding maintenance through immersive, real-time feedback. Combined with VR, they enable immersive training simulations, preparing workers for high-risk environments with minimal exposure. These innovations not only improve operational efficiency but also reinforce sustainability goals by reducing waste, increasing resilience, and integrating renewable energy solutions into conventional systems.

In building management, DTs offer precise control over heating and cooling systems, improving occupant comfort while reducing emissions. In smart cities, they support district-level optimization of energy use. By modeling entire urban environments, digital twins are helping planners design cities that are more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious, advancing goals under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Virtual Energy Labs and Smart Grids

One of the most groundbreaking concepts proposed in the study is the “energy metaverse”, a digital platform where renewable energy systems, smart grids, and energy policies can be tested in virtual environments before physical deployment. This approach dramatically reduces implementation risk, accelerates innovation, and allows stakeholders to simulate economic, environmental, and technical impacts under various conditions. Smart grids enhanced by metaverse tools enable real-time energy balancing, integrate intermittent renewables like wind and solar, and ensure grid resilience against cyber and weather-related disruptions.

Advanced sensors and self-powered microsystems feed continuous data into these smart grids, allowing for decentralized energy governance. Blockchain applications further enable secure and transparent energy trading, supporting peer-to-peer electricity exchanges and reducing reliance on centralized utilities. These digitally empowered systems not only improve access to reliable power in underserved areas but also reduce fossil fuel dependency, supporting SDG 7.1 (Universal Energy Access) and SDG 7.2 (Increased Renewable Share).

The Hidden Cost: Energy for the Digital World

However, the study does not shy away from addressing the elephant in the virtual room: the massive energy demands of the metaverse itself. High-performance GPUs, data centers, blockchain mining, and 5G networks all consume vast amounts of electricity. Data centers alone are estimated to use 1–2% of global electricity, a number expected to grow as immersive platforms become more widespread. Without deliberate efforts to power these infrastructures with clean energy, the metaverse could become a net contributor to climate change rather than a solution.

To mitigate this, the authors recommend a transition toward green cloud computing, low-power AI chips, and edge computing to reduce transmission losses. They also call for regulatory incentives that support renewable-powered data centers and promote the use of carbon offsets. Importantly, they highlight the need for standardized protocols and interoperability across platforms, noting that fragmented ecosystems not only hinder efficiency but also increase energy use through duplication and incompatible formats.

A Roadmap for Research, Policy, and Inclusion

The paper outlines five ambitious but achievable research priorities. These include quantifying the carbon footprint of metaverse applications, creating frameworks for integrating renewables into virtual infrastructure, optimizing real-time energy management using DTs, driving behavioral shifts through immersive virtual simulations, and enhancing sustainability education via gamified learning platforms. Each of these areas is directly tied to one or more SDGs, including SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development), SDG 12.8 (Awareness for Sustainable Lifestyles), and SDG 13.2 (Climate Measures in Policy).

Crucially, the study emphasizes inclusivity. It warns against digital colonization where high-income nations adopt advanced technologies while low-income regions are left behind due to lack of infrastructure or investment. To ensure equitable benefits, international collaborations must bridge the digital divide, bringing metaverse solutions to all corners of the globe.

The research not only highlights the promise of metaverse technologies but also underscores the importance of strategic foresight, ethical governance, and sustainable design. It paints a compelling picture of a future where immersive technologies do not merely entertain but actively shape a greener, more resilient world. The metaverse, if guided by sustainable principles, could become a critical tool in the global pursuit of clean, inclusive, and intelligent energy systems.