Renewable Energy Alternatives

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Browsing Renewable Energy Alternatives by Subject "Masinde Muliro University"

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  • Publication
    Publication
    Effects of Green Bio-Catalysts and Ferric Oxide in Cryo-Mesophillic Temperature Biogas Production
    (International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), 2019-09) Chaka, Osano Aloys and Bakari
    Biogas production at low temperature regimes isannoyingly slow and yields low biogas volumes. Most biogassupplements are expensive and substrate-specific. The effects oftwo bio-catalysts Saccharomyeces spp. and Acanthaceae spp. andan inorganic catalyst ferric oxide on biogas production using cowdung slurry was investigated. 1.5L batch anaerobic digesteroperating in unstirred cryo-mesophilic temperature regime of20.0 -24.5 0C were utilized. The substrate underwent mildsynergistic pre-treatment by steaming with 1% sodiumhydroxide solution. The alkalinity and volatile acids of thesubstrates were insignificantly perturbed by inclusion of theadditives. Additives Saccharomyeces spp. and Acanthaceae spp.stabilized digestion temperature while ferric oxide stabilized pHdrifts. The overall biogas yields produced in the 100-dayretention period were in the order of 4615ml (990.34ml/g-Volatilesolids) for ferric oxide, 2335ml (494.08ml/g-Volatile solids) forSaccharomyeces spp., 1750ml (328.94ml/g-Volatile solids) forAcanthaceae spp. and 1030ml (212.37ml/g-Volatile solids) for thecontrol sample. Use of these additives would thus optimize biogasproduction in cold countries.
  • Publication
    Publication
    EMERGING TRENDS FOR ENERGY CONSUMPTION WITHIN ICT DEVICES
    (International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2020) Chitechi, Kadima Victor; Odoyo, Collins Otieno
    The information and communicationtechnology (ICT) is closely related to the future ofglobal energy consumption, not only because theICT equipment itself increasingly consumesenergy, but also because it is a general-purposetechnology, which may affect energy use of almostall sectors. The growing demand for ICT devicesand services outpaces the efficiency gains ofindividual devices. Previous studies had alludedthat cumulated potentials for ICT-induced savingsis several times larger than the entire energyconsumption of ICT itself. More studies on ICTrelated energy consumption do exist, and anincreasing number of studies looking at ICTinduced energy efficiency. The few studies,however, considering both aspects, typically do soindependently, without relating the two aspects.Moreover, in the energy efficiency discourse, ICTis usually treated as a monolithic block oftechnologies – only the application areas that areexpected to benefit from it being differentiated. Itis only by consequently following low energyconsumption targets for technologies with a lowenergy efficiency potential, while at the same timenot suffocating technologies with a high-energyefficiency potential through restrictiveconsumption targets, this paper will discuss thevarious emerging trends in energy consumptionswithin ICT devices.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Indigenous Peoples and Renewable Energy Projects in Kenya
    (Research Gate, 2021-07-30) Osano, Aloys
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThere is greater need for clean energy as Kenya fosters towards Vision 2030. Energy is both an enabler and driver of the vision. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 7 insists on clean energy use. Use of renewable energies seeks to increase energy for development while eliminating CO2 from the atmosphere thus creating a clean environment for humanity to live in. Fossil-based fuels emit a lot of gaseous emissions when combusted leading to climate changes which have far-reaching effects to people and their environment. More attention has thus been shifted to renewable energies which are environment friendly. This report seeks to identify, strategize and advocate for a win-win formula for all parties. The report maps out Renewable Energy Projects (REPs) in Indigenous Peoples (IPs) territories and performs a detailed review on the situational analysis of existing laws, policies and institutional frameworks of key REP players. The report also strategizes for advocacy policies towards IPs adequate compensation of wealth, livelihoods, cultures and human rights recognition if moved out of their ancestrallands to pave way for REPs.1.0 Renewable Energy Projects (REPs) in Kenya come both as a blessing and curse in disguise. An uproar towards establishment of REPs resulted from several energy reforms in the late 1990s and 2000s. The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) of March, 2008 allowed independent power producers (IPPs) to generate and directly inject power into the national grid at negotiable Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs). Further energy reforms liberated the energy market attracting many renewable energy investors from within and outside the country. The scramble towards investing in the ‘virgin field’ in Kenya was not only for the good of Kenyans but also for the financial satisfaction of the renewable energy ‘donors’. Consequently, powerful financial institutions scrambled for IPs’ lands which were the potential hotspots of this new resource. Momentarily, human rights and dignity were forgotten as the government watched silently in confusion. The plight of IPs was compounded by their incapacity to fight back. From the forceful evictions of the Ewuaso oNkidong’i clan in Olkaria to the witty displacement of the Sarima villagers of Loiyangalani in Lake Turkana, the tales of IPs were similar.2.0 Despite having numerous policies on energy, land and human rights, up to date there is no single unified definition of IPs. The Kenyan constitution of 2010 does not directly acknowledge of their existence! They are generalized as marginalized communities. This perspective has enabled REPs practitioners to overlook IPs and their rights. The REPs have specialized in tactics that support their ill motifs against IPs even with clear human rights, land and energy policies. Any policy, act or convention that supports their intentions is largely magnified while that which supports IPs rights is de-magnified. Even the institution frameworks in the energy value chain in Kenya appear to read from the same script with REPs. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) documents,Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) reports, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, compensation and benefits-sharing policies and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) documents which are intended to protect vulnerable IPs from such projects are coined to do the exact opposite.3.0 The fidelity of any REP in fulfilling its human rights commitments lie on its key players. Most energy institutions and REPs have well-structured policies to guide them on human rights. Unfortunately, these policies are only documented and used for formality purposes. The situation is worsened by the reality of minimal knowledge of these policies, principles and safeguards standards amongst the intended beneficiaries. Due to the wide scope of players involved in REPs, it is difficult to control their individual human rights commitments. Most of the REPs have clear human rights commitments guided by Environment and Social Governance (ESG) policies, International FinanceCorporation (IFC) policies, World Bank Guiding Principles amongst other strong documents that seek to leverage for human rights of IPs. Unfortunately, the practicability of these policies is yet to be seen. The only instance this was observed was in 2012 when World Bank withdrew from Lake Turkana Wind Power Project due to the unfair PPA signed with Kenya Power. The deal was unfair to Kenyans and Kenya Power turned a blind eye to this. World Bank tried to leverage for Kenya Power to negotiate for friendlier cost of power in vain. Despite there being evident uncontrolled pollution from geothermal drilling in Olkaria, the REPs still have a clean bill of rights on the same.4.0 The solution to challenges faced by IPs is fully bestowed upon them. They must acknowledge of having the problem and highlight their weaknesses that should be addressed to solve the problem. IPs should be more liberal to embrace the contemporary education system, vocational training and state laws. They should put more efforts in teaming up, pooling resources together and benchmark with other successful IPs in other countries who overcame this plight. This report identifies the key challenges faced by IPs in the context of REPs, offers best management practices and key players to be used against the challenges before highlighting a Strategic Advocacy Action Plan (SAAP). The plan draws its fabric from existing policy documents (FPIC, ESIA, EIA and RAP reports, compensation and benefits-sharing policies). The plan has 3 pillars of: legal frameworks, fiscal policies and social IPs-REPs community schemes at pre-feasibility, initiation and operation stages of REPs all benchmarked from successful IPs in other countries. In the legal framework, the document proposes due recognition of IPs and their customary systems (land tenure, education, and culture) in the constitution so that they can be adequately compensated during resettlement. Legal documents used during resettlement should be reformatted and availed in IPs languages and adequate consultation time allowed. For fiscal analysis, the report recommends more networking between IP communities from within the country and externally. This will enable them to pool resources, monetize them and use them for investment purposes. Monetary value should also be attached to their IP economic activities and cultures for easier compensation plans. Socio community schemes are intended to bridge the rift between IPs and REPs. a Sustainable Value Framework (SVF) for restructuring IPs territories and resources is alsoproposed. The framework has given more weight to culture and environmental impact vis-à-vis REPs profits as is the current norm.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Insights into the Quality and Quantity of Briquette Fuels from Bone Wastes
    (International Journal of Innovative Studies in Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJISSET), 2020-04) Kehongo, M. Nyanguru; Aloys, Mosima Osano
    In Kenya, bone wastes are accumulating rapidly yet have no immediate potential industrial use. Accumulation of waste bones have adversely impacted land, air and water. There is a need to mop out waste bones from the environment into a valuable product. This research investigated the quality and quantity of briquettes fuel prepared from waste bones. The waste bones were pyrolyzed in a metal kiln. Three briquette samples with 75.00%, 40.00% and 20.00% binder were prepared and their calorific values compared with that of commercial charcoal samples. The bones char and binder (black clay) were characterized by Infrared Spectrometer and their combustion parameters analyzed using standard methods. The average product yield of the bone char from the bone waste was 80.00%. The bone char recorded a moisture content (MC) of 4.17%,ash content (AC) of 40.83%, volatile matter (VM) of 23.67%, fixed carbon (FC) of 31.33% and calorific value (CV) of 18.68 kJ/g. On the other hand, the binder had4.25%MC, 89.50%AC, 5.00%VM, 1.85%FC and calorific value of 2.28kJ/g. The calorific values of the three samples were 6.08 kJ/g (75.00% binder), 12.89 kJ/g (40.00% binder) and 13.91 kJ/g (20.00% binder) respectively. The calorific value of 100% bone char (18.6842 kJ/g) was higher than that of the charcoal samples (12.00-15.52 kJ/g).In conclusion briquettes fuels prepared from bone waste can complement charcoal and combat environment pollution caused by deforestation and accumulation of waste bones.