Explore the vast range of titles available.

The climate changes that are becoming visible today are a challenge for the global research community. The stationary applications sector is one of the most important energy consumers. Harnessing the potential of renewable energy worldwide is currently being considered to find alternatives for obtaining energy by using technologies that offer maximum efficiency and minimum pollution. In this context, new energy generation technologies are needed to both generate low carbon emissions, as well as identifying, planning and implementing the directions for harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources. Hydrogen fuel cell technology represents one of the alternative solutions for future clean energy systems. This article reviews the specific characteristics of hydrogen energy, which recommends it as a clean energy to power stationary applications. The aim of review was to provide an overview of the sustainability elements and the potential of using hydrogen as an alternative energy source for stationary applications, and for identifying the possibilities of increasing the share of hydrogen energy in stationary applications, respectively. As a study method was applied a SWOT analysis, following which a series of strategies that could be adopted in order to increase the degree of use of hydrogen energy as an alternative to the classical energy for stationary applications were recommended. The SWOT analysis conducted in the present study highlights that the implementation of the hydrogen economy depends decisively on the following main factors: legislative framework, energy decision makers, information and interest from the end beneficiaries, potential investors, and existence of specialists in this field.

Masonry units made of clay or Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) are widely used in constructions from Romania and other countries. Masonry units with superior mechanical and thermal characteristics can improve the energy efficiency of buildings, especially when they are used as the main solutions for building envelope construction. Their production in recent years has increased vertiginously to meet the increased demand. Manufactured with diversified geometries, different mechanical and/or thermal characteristics have a high volume in the mass of the building and a major influence in their carbon footprint. Starting from the current context regarding the target imposed by the long-term strategy of built environment decarbonization, the aim of the paper is to analyze the potential of reusing mining waste in the production of masonry units. Mining waste represents the highest share of waste generated at national level and may represent a valuable resource for the construction industry, facilitating the creation of new jobs and support for economic development. This review presents the interest in integrating mining wastes in masonry unit production and the technical characteristics of the masonry units in which they have been used as raw materials in different percentages. Critical assessment framework using SWOT analysis highlights the key sustainability aspects (technical, environmental, social, economic) providing a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the advantages and disadvantages regarding the integration of mining waste as secondary raw materials into masonry units production.

The urbanization in Delhi NCR has led to a rapid increase in the vehicle count concerning the rise in population and mobilization. The emissions from the vehicles are currently counted amongst the main sources of air pollution in Delhi. This affects the quality of air. The emission criterion of various pollutants that are emitted from vehicles is evaluated through various International models, which include various vehicles, their modes of pollutants emitted while driving and other factors that are affecting the weather. The approximate emission of pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide (CO) and/or Particulate Matter (PM), from a variety of vehicles and different fuel types, has undergone diurnal variation over the years, depending on the time of the day. This study presents the emission factor of gaseous pollutants Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxides (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) of 181 four-wheeler cars from different companies containing different types of fuels. The measurement of gaseous pollutants is performed for Delhi, the most polluted city in India. The various facts and data were calculated and analyzed with reference to the standard values set by the national schemes of the Pollution and Environment. Based on this statistical data obtained and analyzed, the scenarios regarding future vehicle growth rate and its impact on air quality are mentioned to overcome emission problems. Therefore, it is important to develop and deploy methods for obtaining real-world measurements of vehicle emissions, to estimate the pollutants. The analysis shows that few parameters need to be a concern for reducing the pollutants emission by vehicles. These major parameters are the high survival rates, decrease in annual mileage and major enforcement for three-to-five-year-old vehicles. This study shows that many old vehicles are used in different regions of the country, regardless of many notifications of banning old vehicles by the Government of India. These old vehicles are the major source of vehicle pollutants. The analysis stated that the diesel engine would emit less CO2/km than a petrol engine if having an almost similar engine capacity.

The emerging need for high data rate, low latency, and high network capacity encourages wireless networks (WNs) to build intelligent and dynamic services, such as intelligent transportation systems, smart homes, smart cities, industrial automation, etc. However, the WN is impeded by several security threats, such as data manipulation, denial-of-service, injection, man-in-the-middle, session hijacking attacks, etc., that deteriorate the security performance of the aforementioned WN-based intelligent services. Toward this goal, various security solutions, such as cryptography, artificial intelligence (AI), access control, authentication, etc., are proposed by the scientific community around the world; however, they do not have full potential in tackling the aforementioned security issues. Therefore, it necessitates a technology, i.e., a blockchain, that offers decentralization, immutability, transparency, and security to protect the WN from security threats. Motivated by these facts, this paper presents a WNs survey in the context of security and privacy issues with blockchain-based solutions. First, we analyzed the existing research works and highlighted security requirements, security issues in a different generation of WN (4G, 5G, and 6G), and a comparative analysis of existing security solutions. Then, we showcased the influence of blockchain technology and prepared an exhaustive taxonomy for blockchain-enabled security solutions in WN. Further, we also proposed a blockchain and a 6G-based WN architecture to highlight the importance of blockchain technology in WN. Moreover, the proposed architecture is evaluated against different performance metrics, such as scalability, packet loss ratio, and latency. Finally, we discuss various open issues and research challenges for blockchain-based WNs solutions.

In recent years, people have witnessed numerous Internet of Things (IoT)-based attacks with the exponential increase in the number of IoT devices. Alongside this, the means to secure IoT-based applications are maturing slower than our budding dependence on them. Moreover, the vulnerabilities in an IoT system are exploited in chains to penetrate deep into the network and yield more adverse aftereffects. To mitigate these issues, this paper gives unique insights for handling the growing vulnerabilities in common IoT devices and proposes a threat architecture for IoT, addressing threats in the context of a three-layer IoT reference architecture. Furthermore, the vulnerabilities exploited at the several IoT attack surfaces and the challenges they exert are explored. Thereafter, the challenges in quantifying the IoT vulnerabilities with the existing framework are also analyzed. The study also covers a case study on the Intelligent Transportation System, covering road transport and traffic control specifically in terms of threats and vulnerabilities. Another case study on secure energy management in the Smart Grid is also presented. This case study covers the applications of Internet of Vulnerable Things (IoVT) in Smart energy Grid solutions, as there will be tremendous use of IoT in future Smart Grids to save energy and improve overall distribution. The analysis shows that the integration of the proposed architecture in existing applications alarms the developers about the embedded threats in the system.

This study examines the interdependent performance of fire detection systems, automatic sprinklers, and natural smoke ventilation in warehouse environments. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with PyroSim and FDS, four operational scenarios were analyzed to evaluate system activation sequences and suppression effectiveness. Results show that ceiling-only sprinklers may limit fire growth but fail to achieve extinguishment, while integrated in-rack sprinklers with coordinated venting provide full suppression and optimized thermal control. The findings underscore the importance of performance-based, integrated design strategies to enhance fire protection and minimize property losses.

Nowadays, the evolution of solar energy use has turned into a profound issue because of the implications of many points of view, such as technical, social, economic and environmental that impose major constraints for policy-makers in optimizing solar energy alternatives. The topographical constraints regarding the availability of inexhaustible solar energy is driving field development and highlights the need for increasingly more complex solar power systems. The solar energy is an inexhaustible source of CO2 emission-free energy at a global level. Solar thermal technologies may produce electric power when they are associated with thermal energy storage, and this may be used as a disposable source of limitless energy. Furthermore, it can also be used in industrial processes. Using these high-tech systems in a large area of practice emboldens progress at the performance level. This work compiles the latest literature in order to provide a timely review of the evolution and worldwide implementation of Concentrated Solar Power—CSP—mechanization. The objective of this analysis is to provide thematic documentation as a basis for approaching the concept of a polygeneration solar system and the implementation possibilities. It also aims to highlight the role of the CSP in the current and future world energy system.

In the context of the European Energy Directives for the period 2020–2035 and the perspectives for 2050, the next generations of energy systems and associated technologies for the power supply of buildings will have a significant impact on pollution and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, generating clean electricity with financial efforts in decrease. Until recently, the processes of burning conventional fossil fuels represented the main source of thermal energy, but along with technological development, new solutions have been implemented for providing thermal energy that works based on renewable energies, and the hypothesis of heating electrification based on alternative resources is feasible. The present research article addresses the topic of Electrification of the Thermal Load by Replacing Conventional Energy with Solar Energy within a case study with practical applicability to an existing industrial production hall. This study aims to assess, within a comparative analysis, the feasibility of replacing conventional energy fossil resources with solar energy resources, with the objective of decarbonization through electrification of the heating in industrial hall workspaces. In the case study, by implementing the solar generator that has the role of taking over the building thermal load, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 90% compared to the heat generation using conventional fossil energy, and the costs can be reduced by around of 70% compared to the current costs charged by economic operators in the domain.

Rainwater, originating from atmospheric precipitation, has historically been used as an alternative source to meet daily water needs. This study aims to analyze the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of rainwater in order to assess its potential for reuse in non-potable domestic applications and outdoor activities. The research focuses on identifying key water quality indicators and evaluating the feasibility of using rainwater for non-potable purposes. Rainwater will be collected from the roof of a residential building, treated through filtration and disinfection processes, and subsequently subjected to laboratory analyses to determine its physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. In the final stage, its reuse potential will be evaluated. Currently, the use of rainwater in households is limited due to non-compliance with certain quality standards. However, in the context of the increasingly severe global water crisis, rainwater could represent a sustainable alternative source, contributing to water security and the conservation of this essential resource for future generations.

Since mid 2010, petrol consumption in the transport sector has increased at a higher rate than in other sectors. The transport sector generates 35% of the total CO2 emissions. In this context, strategies have been adopted to use clean energy, with electromobility being the main directive. This paper examines the possibility of charging electric vehicle batteries with clean energy using solar autochthonous renewable resources. An isolated system was designed, dimensioned, and simulated in operation for a charging station for electric vehicles with photovoltaic panels and batteries as their main components. The optimal configuration of the photovoltaic system was complete with improved Hybrid Optimization by Genetic Algorithms (iHOGA) software version 2.4 and we simulated its operation. The solar energy system has to be designed to ensure that the charging station always has enough electricity to supply several electric vehicles throughout all 24 h of the day. The main results were related to the energy, environmental, and economic performance achieved by the system during one year of operation.