In recent times, Blockchain has emerged as a transformational technology with the ability to disrupt and evolve multiple domains. As a decentralized, immutable distributed ledger, Blockchain technology is one of the most recent entrants to the comprehensive ideology of Smart Cities. The rise of urbanization and increased citizen participation have led to various technology integrations in our present-day cities. For cities to become smart, we need standard frameworks and procedures for integrating technology, citizens and governments. In this paper, we explore the potential of Blockchain technology as an enabler for e-governance in smart cities. We examine the daily challenges of citizens and compare them with the benefits being offered by Blockchain integration. On the basis of a comprehensive literature review, we identified four key areas of e-governance wherein Blockchain can provide monumental advantages. In the context of Blockchain integration for e-governance, the paper presents a survey of prominent published works discussing various urban applications.

Over the last couple of years, Blockchain technology has emerged as a game-changer for various industry domains, ranging from FinTech and the supply chain to healthcare and education, thereby enabling them to meet the competitive market demands and end-user requirements. Blockchain technology gained its popularity after the massive success of Bitcoin, of which it constitutes the backbone technology. While blockchain is still emerging and finding its foothold across domains, Cloud computing is comparatively well defined and established. Organizations such as Amazon, IBM, Google, and Microsoft have extensively invested in Cloud and continue to provide a plethora of related services to a wide range of customers. The pay-per-use policy and easy access to resources are some of the biggest advantages of Cloud, but it continues to face challenges like data security, compliance, interoperability, and data management. In this article, we present the advantages of integrating Cloud and blockchain technology along with applications of Blockchain-as-a-Service. The article presents itself with a detailed survey illustrating recent works combining the amalgamation of both technologies. The survey also talks about blockchain–cloud services being offered by existing Cloud Service providers.

One of the most important conditions for the efficient operation of solar power plants with a large installed capacity is to ensure the systematic monitoring of the surface condition of the photovoltaic modules. This procedure is aimed at the timely detection of external damage to the modules, as well as their partial shading. The implementation of these measures solely through visual inspection by the maintenance personnel of the power plant requires significant labor intensity due to the large areas of the generation fields and the operating conditions. Authors propose an approach aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of high-power solar power plants by automating the inspection procedures of the surfaces of photovoltaic modules. The solution is based on the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a payload capable of video and geospatial data recording. To perform the procedures for detecting problem modules, it is proposed to use “object-detection” technology, which uses neural network classification methods characterized by high adaptability to various image parameters. The results of testing the technology showed that the use of a neural network based on the R-CNN architecture with the learning algorithm—Inception v2 (COCO)—allows detecting problematic photovoltaic modules with an accuracy of more than 95% on a clear day.

The speed control of induction machines for multiple-speed handling is critical. When the vector control method is applied to induction machines, it has a significant impact on speed utilization. This strategy of operating the machine at a fixed predefined speed mode presents better results for electric vehicles. An effective model for a speed control loop is proposed in this paper, using a fixed-mode proportional integral (FM-PI) controller based on an upper and lower limit torque limiter. The power supply is fed using a lithium-ion battery with an inverter-fed mechanism. Moreover, the proposed model is validated using simulations with user-defined speed modes (40, 60, and 80 km/h). These speed modes, with different torque commands, have been considered for advanced modeling. In this model, torque is developed via a closed-loop control operation to attain the required speed assigned by the user. The sensors are used to collect data, and a multiple regression algorithm analyzes the dataset to predict input parameters (voltage (V_ab), phase current (I), and torque (T)) required to achieve the desired speed mode. The efficiency of the proposed model is compared with induction motors bearing the same rating for the loaded and unloaded speed test. Effective machine parameter control is achieved by reaching the desired performance levels of 94.37% and 78.30% in a shorter time for the loaded and unloaded modes. A speed response comparison of the FOPID, KW-WOA-PID, SVR-PI, and FM-PI controller model simulation results indicates that the FM-PI speed controller guarantees better performance and displays an improvement in rising time and settling time, compared to other controllers. The implementation of different driving scenarios proves the model’s effectiveness for robust speed applications.

Recommendations on the selection of air curtains and the calculation of their parameters for livestock premises in cattle management farms are made. The air curtain functioning principle is analyzed from the air jet theory point of view. The block diagram and modular design of air curtains with a variable air jet direction vector and with controlled slit width are designed. Laboratory tests of the newly designed air curtain structure are performed in accordance with the microclimate requirements for the cattle management farm premises. Based on the experimental results, the major air curtain parameters are calculated for the range from 10° to 60° of angle α between the direction of the air jet outward from the air curtain slit and aperture plane, and for the air curtain slit width b₀ in the range from 0.05 m to 0.15 m with the account of the wind speed V_w variations. Calculated values for amounts of energy that have to be consumed to ensure the required air jet velocity, in the output from the air curtain, and those for the quantity of thermal energy required to heat the air supplied to the air curtain, depending on the angle α and on the slit width b₀, can be helpful for selecting the power capacity of both the air curtain fan and electric heater. A block diagram of the air curtain control for cattle management farm premises is designed, enabling automatic control of the airflow rate, the angle of the air jet output from the air curtain slit, and the temperature of the heated air supplied to the air curtain, considering particular climate conditions. According to the preliminary estimate, applications of the newly designed air curtain will make it possible to reduce the energy consumed to maintain the required microclimate conditions in cattle management premises by 10% to 15% in the cold period.

This paper examines the multi-dimensional aspects of the transition to renewable energy, concentrating on the interaction between technology, economics and society. It examines the current state of renewable energy technologies, regional requirements for sustainable solutions, the scope for international cooperation, and new trends forming the future of renewable energy. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities for a just transition, highlighting the need for fair access, workforce development, local value creation, environmental justice and innovative financing mechanisms. Taking a comprehensive and integrated approach, this paper aims to provide insights and guidance for policymakers, industry stakeholders and researchers working toward a cleaner, more sustainable and inclusive energy future.