Journal of Resource Management and Decision Engineering In Press 2026 09 01 Intelligent Harmony: Harnessing Deep Reinforcement Learning for Smart Home Energy Management Intelligent Harmony: Harnessing Deep Reinforcement Learning for Smart Home Energy Management 1 18 EN Journal Article 2025 11 12 <p><strong> </strong></p> <p>This review examines the intricate developments and challenges in smart home energy management systems, with a particular focus on the integration of cutting-edge technologies and innovative methodologies aimed at addressing the rapidly evolving landscape of energy use. Despite significant strides in the field, there remain critical gaps that require further attention. Chief among these are ensuring data privacy and security, which have become increasingly important with the proliferation of interconnected devices, managing the complexity of heterogeneous data from diverse sources, and overcoming persistent interoperability issues that hinder seamless communication among various smart devices. To address these challenges, this review outlines several promising directions for future research. These include the implementation of robust encryption techniques to protect sensitive information, the development of scalable storage solutions to handle the ever-growing volume of data, and the deployment of advanced analytics algorithms capable of real-time processing and decision-making. Additionally, the review emphasizes the need to explore the socio-economic implications of smart energy management systems, particularly in light of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have underscored the importance of resilient and sustainable energy infrastructures. By providing a comprehensive overview of both the current state of smart home energy management and the areas that require further exploration, this review aims to foster advancements that will lead to the creation of more efficient, secure, and adaptable systems. Ultimately, addressing these challenges will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions that align with broader societal goals, enhancing the resilience of energy infrastructures while promoting environmental stewardship.</p> https://www.journalrmde.com/index.php/jrmde/article/download/256/249