Power Allocation and Energy Cooperation for UAV-Enabled MmWave Networks: A Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-assisted cellular networks over the millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency band can meet the requirements of a high data rate and flexible coverage in next-generation communication networks. However, higher propagation loss and the use of a large number of antennas in mmWave networks give rise to high energy consumption and UAVs are constrained by their low-capacity onboard battery. Energy harvesting (EH) is a viable solution to reduce the energy cost of UAV-enabled mmWave networks. However, the random nature of renewable energy makes it challenging to maintain robust connectivity in UAV-assisted terrestrial cellular networks. Energy cooperation allows UAVs to send their excessive energy to other UAVs with reduced energy. In this paper, we propose a power allocation algorithm based on energy harvesting and energy cooperation to maximize the throughput of a UAV-assisted mmWave cellular network. Since there is channel-state uncertainty and the amount of harvested energy can be treated as a stochastic process, we propose an optimal multi-agent deep reinforcement learning algorithm (DRL) named Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (MADDPG) to solve the renewable energy resource allocation problem for throughput maximization. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the Random Power (RP), Maximal Power (MP) and value-based Deep Q-Learning (DQL) algorithms in terms of network throughput.

Optimization of Train Energy Cooperation Using Scheduled Service Time Reserve

The main aim of the paper was to develop an innovative approach to the preliminary estimation possibility of train energy cooperation based on data from timetables, without traction calculations. The article points out the need to strive for sustainable and environmentally friendly transport. It was pointed out that rail transport using electric traction is one of the more ecological branches of transport. It also offers a number of possibilities for improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, one of which is the recovery and reuse of energy lost in the electrodynamic braking process. The main ways in which such energy can be used are listed, but the focus is mainly on the aspect of the so-called “energy cooperation” of trains. Then, the current state of the research and knowledge on the narrowed scope of rail traffic management and recuperative braking in rail transportation is presented; an innovative approach to the indirect optimization of the amount of recuperated electrical energy immediately usable by another vehicle by maximizing the duration of energy co-optimization is proposed; and the authors’ function is proposed to enable optimization, taking into account various parameters. The optimization was performed with the use of a proprietary, multi-criteria objective function and the Solver optimization module. Finally, the results obtained using the proposed approach are presented and illustrated with the example of train timetables used by some of the largest railway stations in Poland.

Contribution of Regional Power Pools for Energy Security in Africa: Empirical Evidence from the Eastern and Southern African Regions

Despite the considerable energy problem in Africa, it is not clear how the proliferation of regional power pool (RPPs), as the most feasible solution, address the problem by fostering energy cooperation. The main research objective was to analyse and compare the role of RPPs, particularly the Eastern and Southern African power pools (EAPP and SAPP), in fostering energy cooperation and addressing energy security in their respective sub-regions. The study employed a mixed research design. The study targeted 100 leaders and senior experts from the EAPP, SAPP, regional economic communities, financial institutions, scholars, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations. Qualitative data were analysed thematically, while quantitative data was analysed via descriptive and inferential analysis. Simple linear regression models were used to test the hypotheses. From the finding, in Eastern Africa, weak power pool arrangement, EAPP, has contributed significantly to the prevailing energy insecurity ( =.345, p<.05); on the other hand, strong regional power pool in Southern Africa, SAPP, significantly contributes to energy security ( =.323, p< .05), thus depicting that strong RPP is a key predictor of energy security in the region. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the institutionalised attempt to energy security in Africa can address most of Africa’s energy security challenges. However, Africa must embrace the role of these energy security institutions by pursuing a deliberate policy to strengthen them so that its overall integration project, as stipulated in the African Union Agenda 2063, can be materialised. Received: 12 August 2021 / Accepted: 13 October 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

Study on Tobacco Regulation and Building Legal Mechanism of Security Guarantee for SCO Energy Club

Objectives: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) region has complementary advantages in energy and resources and closely related interests in geopolitical energy security. Common interests and close cooperation led to the creation of energy cooperation arrangements among the SCO countries. Particularly, owing to the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, the states progressively incline to focus more on issues concerning tobacco control to promote sustainable environmental development. The establishment and improvement of the SCO energy club mechanism is an important way of SCO energy cooperation. This paper adopts the method of combining history with normative analysis, by analyzing the current of the SCO Energy Club running mechanism, proposes that the position and development target of the SCO Energy Club should be clear, the coordination of multilateral and bilateral and unilateral measures of energy function remains to be further play, contribution to the energy trade and investment disputes should be timely strengthen, then the SCO Energy Club could play a positive role in promoting the implementation of cross-border energy cooperation measures within the region. The paper proposes to use legal mechanism to construct SCO Energy Club so as to make it play the role of security guarantee mechanism more fully.