This study provides a comprehensive overview of vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) for emerging energy applications by combining a bibliometric analysis and a thematic mini-review. Scopus-indexed publications from 1979 to 2025 were analyzed using PRISMA guidelines and bibliometric tools (Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer) to map global research trends, and a parallel mini-review distilled recent advances into five thematic areas: aerodynamic strategies, advanced materials, urban integration, hybrid systems, and floating offshore platforms. The results reveal that VAWT research output has surged since 2006, led by China with strong contributions from Europe and North America, and is concentrated in leading renewable energy journals. Dominant topics include computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, performance optimization, wind–solar hybrid integration, and adaptation to turbulent urban environments. Technologically, active and passive aerodynamic innovations have boosted performance albeit with added complexity, remaining mostly at moderate technology readiness (TRL 3–5), while advanced composite materials are improving durability and fatigue life. Emerging applications in microgrids, building-integrated systems, and offshore floating platforms leverage VAWTs’ omnidirectional, low-noise operation, although challenges persist in scaling up, control integration, and long-term field validation. Overall, VAWTs are gaining relevance as a complement to conventional turbines in the sustainable energy transition, and this study’s integrated approach identifies critical gaps and high-priority research directions to accelerate VAWT development and help transition these turbines from niche prototypes to mainstream renewable solutions.

Photovoltaic (PV) power forecasting combined with energy storage systems (ESS) is critical for grid stability and renewable energy optimization. Machine learning (ML) techniques have shown promise in improving PV forecast accuracy and ESS operation. However, the intersection of PV forecasting and ESS control remains underexplored, warranting a systematic review of recent advances and evaluation of ML effectiveness in PV–ESS integration. To assess research trends in ML-based PV forecasting with ESS (scientometric analysis), synthesize state-of-the-art ML approaches for PV–ESS forecasting (systematic review), and quantify their overall predictive performance via meta-analysis of the coefficient of determination (R²). A comprehensive search of Scopus (2010–2025) was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies focusing on ML-based PV power forecasting integrated with ESS were included. Multiple reviewers screened the records and extracted data. Study quality was appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. A random-effects meta-analysis of R² was performed to aggregate model performance across studies. The search identified 227 records; 50 studies were included in the review and 5 in the meta-analysis. Publications grew rapidly after 2018, indicating increased interest in PV–ESS forecasting. Deep learning models and hybrid architectures were the most frequently studied and outperformed traditional methods, while integrating PV forecasts with ESS control consistently improved operational outcomes. Common methodological limitations were noted, such as limited external validation and non-standardized evaluation metrics. The meta-analysis found a pooled R² ~0.95 (95% CI) with no heterogeneity (I² = 0), and no evidence of publication bias. ML-based forecasting significantly improves PV–ESS performance, underscoring AI as a key enabler for effective PV–ESS integration. Future research should address remaining gaps and explore advanced approaches to further enhance PV–ESS outcomes.

This study optimized a homogeneous photo-Fenton process for the simultaneous degradation of the emerging pesticides atrazine and methomyl in water using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A synthetic agricultural effluent containing 2.0 mg L⁻¹ of each pesticide (COD = 103.2 mg O₂ L⁻¹; TOC = 26.1 mg C L⁻¹; BOD₅ = 45.8 mg O₂ L⁻¹) was treated in a recirculating UV–H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ reactor. A 2³ factorial design with replication and five central points identified the H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ ratio and irradiation time as the main factors controlling mineralization, achieving up to 88.9% COD removal in the best screening run. Steepest-ascent experiments were then performed to approach the region of maximum response, followed by a rotatable Central Composite Design (20 runs). The resulting quadratic model explained 98.14% of the COD variance (R² = 0.9814; adjusted R² = 0.9646; predicted R² = 0.8591; CV = 0.2736%) and predicted a maximum COD removal of 94.5% at a volumetric flow rate of 0.466 L min⁻¹, a Fenton ratio of 12.713 mg mg⁻¹, and a treatment time of 71.0 min. Experimental validation under these optimized conditions yielded highly reproducible removals of 94.2 ± 0.04% COD and 81% TOC, confirming the predictive capability of the RSM model and demonstrating a high degree of organic mineralization. The response surfaces revealed that increasing the Fenton ratio enhances oxidation up to an optimum, beyond which hydroxyl-radical self-scavenging slightly decreases efficiency. Overall, the integration of multivariable experimental design and RSM provided a robust framework to maximize photo-Fenton performance with moderate reagent consumption and operating time, consolidating this process as a viable alternative for the mitigation of pesticide-laden agricultural wastewaters.