Line balancing for energy efficiency in production: a qualitative and quantitative literature analysis

In the rapidly evolving landscape of hyperconnected digital manufacturing, known as Industry 4.0, achieving energy efficiency has become a critical priority. As manufacturers worldwide strive to meet sustainable development goals, enhancing energy efficiency is essential for reducing operational costs and minimizing environmental impact. In this context, line balancing is a pivotal strategy for optimizing energy consumption within manufacturing processes. This study presents a comprehensive literature review on the Line Balancing Problems (LBPs) focused on enhancing energy efficiency. The review aims to provide a holistic understanding of this domain by examining past, present, and future trends. A systematic literature review is conducted using the PRISMA method, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The quantitative analysis identifies prevalent patterns and emerging trends in energy efficiency optimization within the LBP domain. Concurrently, the qualitative analysis explores various aspects of existing studies, including configurations of lines, managerial considerations, objectives, solution methodologies, and real-world applications. This review synthesizes current knowledge and highlights potential avenues for future research, underlining the importance of energy efficiency in driving sustainable practices in Industry 4.0 and the emerging Industry 5.0 paradigm.