Energy

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2013 ISES Solar World Congress Promotion of PV Uptake and Sector Growth in Kenya through Value Added Training in PV Sizing, Installation and Maintenance
(Science Direct, 2014) Justus Simiyu; Sebastian M. Waita; Alex Ogacho; Robinson Musembi
Sub-Saharan Africa, and more specifically the East African region, has the lowest rates of access to electricity in the world. On average, at most 15% of the rural population has access to electricity. Rural households and remote institutions use traditional energy sources such as charcoal, firewood, kerosene and diesel for generator sets, batteries and dry cell batteries. On the other hand, the region is one of the most promising in the world in economic development with growth levels being high and market saturation is a far away future problem. This growth has however been hampered by several factors with lack of energy being one of them. Kenya being one of the countries in the region faces a similar problem with the traditional sources of hydro facing weather related challenges. The situation is more wanting in the rural setting having only achieved electrification rates of between 5 and 10%. The rural being where the majority of low-income earning groups reside is further compounded with large geographical imbalance in electricity demand and supply. The main challenge to adopting pv utilization however, is lack of local capacity to handle the uptake all the way from solar home systems to grid connected and hybrid systems. According to Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), it is estimated that between 800 and 1000 pv technicians have been in practice since this sector started in Kenya in the late eighties, majority of them having the basic skills but no formal training to provide the service. They however have been offering necessary service to end-users and are hence an important aspect in the pv sector as a whole. Currently the pv (mainly SHS) comprise an over the counter trade system which provides loopholes when it comes to quality of products and installation. To safeguard the quality and safety of installations, formal training has to be incorporated in the system.
A Hybrid of Fuzzy Logic and Sliding Mode Techniques for Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking Systems Under Partial Shading
(University of Nairobi Research Archive, 2020-11-20) Gathoni, Robinson N.
Solar energy harvesting using photovoltaic (PV) modules have been one of the most commonsources of renewable energy for several decades. These modules have been used as a sourceof electricity for households, industries, in stand-alone, and grid-connected solar plants. Themodules consist of semi-conductor solar cells combined in series and parallel. In order to makea solar system, the modules are usually linked in series. The performance of a solar system isaffected by environmental factors like varying radiance and temperatures, shadowing caused byhigh-rise buildings, birds, fog, trees and dust. Such varying environmental conditions affect asolar cell's efficiency. Nevertheless, given all the effort made to mitigate the impact of all theseenvironmental threats, some of the natural occurrences such as varying radiance, clouds, dust,wind-speed and change in temperature, can not be done away with. To improve the e ciencyof the entire solar system, power extraction must be optimized under all weather conditions.Fuzzy logic and sliding mode techniques are e cient, fast and reliable methods of trackingthe maximum power point that have been used in this study. The application of these twoapproaches substantially increases system e ciency for all environmental conditions includingpartial shading instances. The sliding mode technique is a very fast, stable and robust algorithmthat work e ectively under very stable weather condition while the fuzzy logic has beenexploited under partial shading conditions. Both methods rely heavily on a good understandingof the characteristics of PV modules, which are studied using I-V, P-V or P-I curves. In thiswork, three new algorithms have been used to simulate and model the characteristics of a PVmodule.The algorithms are based on a single diode equivalent circuit, which has been chosen dueto the simplicity of simulation and modeling and provides a fast convergence time. The algorithmsare classi ed according to the method of obtaining the best values of the unknownve parameters of the diode model. Ideality factor (A), saturation current (Io), photocurrentiv(Iph), series (Rs) and parallel (Rp) resistances are the ve unknown parameters to be determinedfor characterization of a PV module using a diode model. These parameters have beenextracted using the I-V curve's three critical points at short circuit point (SCP), open circuitpoint (OCP) and maximum power point (MPP). The rst algorithm has been based on thechoice of ideality factor below the optimal ideality factor (Ao), such that 0 A Ao, whereasthe other parameters depends heavily on the choice of A. The second algorithm has been basedon the choice of ideality factor in the neighborhood of Ao and the third algorithm has beenbased on A Ao. The three methods have been utilized to characterize the solar module usingI-V and P-V curves and have output power errors of less than 0.5%.For proof of concept of the three algorithms, PV module with IEC61215 speci cations havecarefully selected from Kyocera- KC130CGT. Additional experimental work has been carriedout at Solinc Kenya Ltd using Solinc 60Wp and 250Wp PV modules, similar to those mountedon the rooftop of the building in Chiromo at School of Physical Sciences.
A Review of the Current Trends in the Production and Consumption of Bioenergy
(Sami Publishing Company, 2021-02-01) Korir, Benjamin K.; Kibet, Joshua; Mosonik, Bornes C.
With the current traditional fossil fuels depleting at an alarming rate coupled with environmental degradation because of toxic emissions, there is a mounting desire in search of renewable and sustainable energy resources. In this regard, bioenergy is considered one of the greatest potential to address the global energy demands in order to foster confidence in energy security, economic sustainability, and environmental protection. Global use of biomass to generate electricity and enhanced green energy transport is expected to increase in the near future. Accordingly, the demand for renewable energy is aimed at minimizing energy poverty and mitigation against climate change. Bioenergy despite bioconversion challenges is one of the key solutions to the world’s current energy demands. Model bioenergy plant sources – Croton megalocarpus, palm oil, Jatropha, and soybeans are briefly discussed in this review as major sources of bioenergy. The increased focus on bioenergy has been necessitated by high oil and gas prices, and the desire for sustainable energy resources. Nonetheless, corrupt practices and lack of political goodwill has hampered efforts towards achieving the full utilization of bioenergy. Corruption has been widely cited as a major setback to bioenergy development in a range of global jurisdictions. In order to minimize environmental damage, carbon trade has been projected as a necessary action by developing countries to reduce carbon emissions. Generally, the analysis of the use of fossil fuels across the world shows a strong interrelationship involving energy utilization, degradation of air quality, and environmental health concerns.
A Review of the Current Trends in the Production and Consumption of Bioenergy
(Sami Publishing Company(SPC), 2021) Korir, Benjamin K.; Kibet, Joshua; Mosonik, Bornes C.
With the current traditional fossil fuels depleting at an alarming rate coupled with environmental degradation because of toxic emissions, there is a mounting desire in search of renewable and sustainable energy resources. In this regard, bioenergy is considered one of the greatest potential to address the global energy demands in order to foster confidence in energy security, economic sustainability, and environmental protection. Global use of biomass to generate electricity and enhanced green energy transport is expected to increase in the near future. Accordingly, the demand for renewable energy is aimed at minimizing energy poverty and mitigation against climate change. Bioenergy despite bioconversion challenges is one of the key solutions to the world’s current energy demands. Model bioenergy plant sources – Croton megalocarpus, palm oil, Jatropha, and soybeans are briefly discussed in this review as major sources of bioenergy. The increased focus on bioenergy has been necessitated by high oil and gas prices, and the desire for sustainable energy resources. Nonetheless, corrupt practices and lack of political goodwill has hampered efforts towards achieving the full utilization of bioenergy. Corruption has been widely cited as a major setback to bioenergy development in a range of global jurisdictions. In order to minimize environmental damage, carbon trade has been projected as a necessary action by developing countries to reduce carbon emissions. Generally, the analysis of the use of fossil fuels across the world shows a strong interrelationship involving energy utilization, degradation of air quality, and environmental health concerns.
A review of thermal energy storage designs, heat storage materials and cooking performance of solar cookers with heat storage
(Elsevier, 2017-08-01) Nkhonjera, Lameck; Bello-Ochende, Tunde; John, Geoffrey; King’ondu, Cecil K.
This paper discusses the thermal energy storage units, heat storage materials and cooking performance of solar cookers with heat storage surveyed in literature. It is revealed that rectangular and cylindrical containers are widely used in the heat storage devices of the solar cookers. The geometry of the storage units, however, depended on the mode of heat transport into the storage medium and out to the cooking vessel from which, three categories of solar cookers (2-stage, 3-stage, and 4-stage solar cookers) are identified. Furthermore, oils and organic phase change materials dominated in the sensible and latent heat storage units respectively. Additionally, the inclusion of high thermal conductive material into the storage medium was the principal technique used in enhancing effective thermal conductivity. Besides, it is shown that there is no significant difference between the cooking power of cookers equipped with sensible and latent heat storage units. However, the design parameters of the cookers as well as thermal diffusivity of the storage medium greatly influenced the cooking power. The 3-stage cookers outperformed their 2-stage counterparts whereas cookers with cooking vessels integrated to the thermal storage unit outperformed the ones with non-integrated cooking vessels. On the other hand, lower thermal diffusivity of the storage medium increased cooking power in cookers with sensible heat storage but decreased the cooking power in cookers with latent heat storage. Finally, it is shown that the quest for the development of high temperature thermal storage units, and the optimization of the geometry as well as heat transfer characteristics of thermal energy storage units remain the potential areas of research in heat storage for cooking.
A Simple Low Cost Solar Panel/cell Characterization Experiment for Senior Undergraduate Students
(ISES, 2015-11-11) Sebastian Waita*, Justus Simiyu, Alexander N. Kiragu, Vivian Imali and Bernard Aduda
A simple low cost solar cell characterization experiment has been developed for senior undergraduate students in the Department of Physics, University of Nairobi. Experiments were conducted with solar panels (also called solar modules/photovoltaic modules) rated 20 W and 40 W peak power on different sunny days on the roof top of Physics Department, University of Nairobi. It was observed that the current- voltage (I-V) curves obtained for all the measurements for each panel were comparable. The fill factor (FF), short circuit current (Isc), open circuit voltage (Voc), current at maximum power point (Im) and voltage at maximum power point (Vm) were within acceptable margins when compared with the manufacturer’s rated values, an indication of the reliability and accuracy of the method. The method eliminates the need for expensive characterization equipment like solar simulators, unaffordable by many developing country institutions. The experiment is recommended for senior undergraduate students with an interest in renewable energy as one way of introducing them to renewable energy. The experiment may also help in arousing the learner’s interest in solar energy.
Ab Initio Study of Structural and Vibrational Properties of Fe2P-Type Materials for Near - Room - Temperature Refrigeration
(Science and Education publishing (SciEP), 2022-01-23) Thirika, Anne Mwende; Mulwa, Winfred Mueni; Makau, Nicholus Wambua; Ibrahim, Adentuji Bamidele
This work has applied density functional theory (DFT) based calculations to investigate the structural and vibrational properties of FeMnP1−xAx (A= Si, Se, Sn and In, x = 0.33) within the first-principles pseudopotential technique. The exchange correlation potentials were treated within generalized gradient approximation (GGA), in the Quantum ESPRESSO code. The Perdew, Burke, Ernzerhof (PBE) functional as implemented in Vanderbilt's ultra-soft pseudo potential (USPP) was used for all the calculations. Vibrational properties were calculated using phonopy code with 1 × 1 × 2 supercell of the conventional unit cell. Thermodynamic properties were predicted using the phonon density of states. The dependence of lattice thermal conductivity on temperature was determined using Debye theory. The optimized structural parameters and corresponding graphical values fit within available experimental data and other theoretical reports. There were no imaginary phonon modes in the phonon dispersion curves revealing that these materials are dynamically stable for magnetic refrigeration.
Adoption of green energy technologies in selected peri-urban and rural areas of Makueni and Machakos counties, Kenya
(World Journal of Research and Review, 2023-05) Muloo, Samson; Kimiti, Jacinta M.; Mwinzi, Muusya; Muthike, George
Many peri-urban and rural households usetraditional stoves which have low energy use efficiency leadingto wasteful use of woodfuel, increase in indoor air pollution andputting more pressure on biomass sources. Energy savingdevices have been introduced which are environmentallyfriendly and economical. The main objective of this study was toassess levels of adoption of green energy technologies in selectedperi-urban and rural areas of Makueni and Machakos Counties,Multistage sampling technique was used whereby; locations andsub-locations were selected purposefully. Households from foursub-locations were chosen using simple random sampling. Atotal of 214 households in the four selected study areas wereinterviewed. The study used questionnaires and interviewschedules for data collection. The collected data was coded andentered into the computer for analysis using the StatisticalPackage for Social Sciences (SPSS) and statistics and datasoftware (STATA) presented using tables. Utilization of metalcharcoal energy device was higher than that of other charcoaldevices in Unoa area (63.1%). Family size had a significanteffect on use of LPG (χ2 = 22.010, P = 0.001) and electric energytechnology (χ2 = 20.482, p = 0.002). The study results on theprediction of future charcoal energy devices adoption showedthat in the next 30 years’ majority of the households will stillprefer Kenya ceramic charcoal stoves to the maendeleo charcoalstoves. The outcome of the research is useful to manystakeholders including the government, Ministries ofAgriculture and Energy, Environmentalists, Market Suppliersof green energy devices and Researchers.
Adoption of Improved Cookstoves in the Peri-urban Areas of Nairobi: Case of Magina Area, Kiambu County, Kenya
(Research Gate, 2019-02-04) Kong'ani, Lilian Sarah; Ang'u, Cohen; Muthama, Nzioka
Concerted efforts have been made to enable communication and adoption of improved cookstoves by diverse development organizations in Kenya. However, their adoption remains low. This study sought to examine levels of adoption and use of improved cookstoves in Magina, Kiambu County and determine factors affecting their adoption and use. Results demonstrate that 93% of the households received the cookstoves from developmental programmes, among these 50% were making use of them but only 14% of the 50% had fully adopted them as main cookstoves. Efficiency and suitability, socio-cultural practices, economic capacity, limited capacity to appreciate the improved cookstoves concept and governance considerations were the cited limiting factors to adoption and use. There is need for an enabling policy and strategies to implement the bottom-up approach in the design and implementation of improved cookstoves to facilitate the upscaling of the adoption and use of improved cookstoves to conserve the forests in the country for sustainable development.
Analysis of Energy Storage And Return Foot Stiffness By Coupling Musculoskeletal And Finite Element Simulations
(IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE, 2018) Kipkirui, Ngetich Gilbert
Transtibial amputees currently have numerous prostheses in the market which are aimed at improving the control, cosmetics and comfort. Each of the three categories of prosthetic feet namely; conventional, energy storage and return, and bionic feet have different characteristics. Current studies reveal that energy storage and return feet offer better performance as compared with conventional prostheses. In this study, evolution of the prosthesis and the significance of mimicking human ankle-foot biomechanics is highlighted. Lower limb amputations occur due to Peripheral Vascular Disease, Diabetes, War and accidents .It is associated with mortality, morbidity, and disability. Transtibial amputees exhibit loss of plantar flexor musculature [1, 7] resulting in greater intact leg stance times [12] and asymmetrical gait comorbidity in their residual and intact legs [2, 7]. Below-knee amputees lose the functional use of the ankle muscles, which are critical during walking to provide body support, forward propulsion, leg-swing initiation and mediolateral balance [3, 7] . During early and pre-swing, amputees exhibit increased hamstring and rectus femoris activity on residual leg [12] .Prosthetic foot do not allow sufficient dorsiflexion even on level terrain and possess inertia asymmetry. Further improvements ought to be incorporated to adjust the degree of dorsiflexion [4] , absorb shock on impact [10] , and improve inertia gait. Unilateral, transtibial amputees’ clinical efficacy is dependent on appropriate prosthetic foot stiffness [6] .Proper prosthetic foot selection with appropriate design characteristics is critical for successful amputee rehabilitation. Use of laminated composites in the manufacture of prostheses is vital due to their high stiffness and low density. Many researchers have reported that unilateral below-knee amputees (BKA) walk asymmetrically and differently from able-bodied people [1-10, 17] . Researchers have given varied reasons. It is generally believed that socket fit, prosthetic alignment, and prosthetic components (including prosthetic parts' weight and design) can all influence the gait of amputees [2-7,12,18-19]. Others argue that due to loss of plantar flexor muscles, there would be greater intact leg stance times and asymmetrical gait comorbidity in their residual and intact legs. Moreover, degenerative changes in the lumbar spine and knees would occur due to the asymmetrical walking that overloads the musculoskeletal system [7, 12] . This research will come up with an analysis of the energy storage and return foot coupling musculoskeletal and finite element analysis with aim of improving amputee gait. The analysis of the foot is performed using the boundary conditions of ISO-10328 and ISO-22675.The prosthetic foot serves to substitute the loss of tendons and muscles of the intact foot due to amputation. Further series of computer simulation of ESAR foot is performed using Altair Hyper works 14.0 to investigate the effect of stiffness on the tibia section of foot, muscle activity, residual and intact ground reaction forces with aim of coming up with an optimal design. The results of this study would add to the core knowledge regarding prosthetic feet features and their effects on gait, making them directly relevant to prosthesis design and prescription.
Analysis of gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions from cooking devices in selected rural and urban kitchens in Bomet and Narok counties of Kenya
(Springer Link, 2022-05) Adeola, A. O.; Nsibande, S. A.; Osano, A. M.; Maghanga, J. K.; Naudé, Y.; Forbes, P. B. C.
Traditional combustion devices and fuels such as charcoal, wood and biomass, are widely utilised in rural and urban households in Africa. Incomplete combustion can generate air pollutants which are of human toxicological importance, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, portable multi-channel polydimethylsiloxane rubber traps were used to sample gas phase emissions from cooking devices used in urban and rural households in Bomet and Narok counties of Kenya. A wide range of total PAH concentrations was found in samples collected (0.82 - 173.69 µg/m3), which could be attributed to the differences in fuel type, combustion device, climate, and nature of households. Wood combustion using the 3-stone device had the highest average total PAH concentration of ~71 µg/m3. Narok had higher indoor total gas phase PAH concentrations averaging 35.88 µg/m3 in urban and 70.84 µg/m3 in rural households, compared to Bomet county (2.91 µg/m3 in urban and 9.09 µg/m3 in rural households). Ambient total gas phase PAH concentrations were more similar (Narok: 1.26 - 6.28 µg/m3 and Bomet: 2.44 - 6.30 µg/m3). Although the 3-stone device and burning of wood accounted for higher PAH emissions, the charcoal burning jiko stove produced the highest toxic equivalence quotient. Monitoring of PAHs emitted by these cooking devices and fuels is critical to public health and sustainable pollution mitigation.
Analysis of Research Topics and Scientific Collaborations in Renewable Energy Using Community Detection
(mdpi, 2018-11-30) Alcayde, Alfredo; Montoya, Francisco; Baños, Raul; Perea, Alberto; Manzano-Agugliaro, Francisco
Renewable energy is a key breakthrough to mitigate carbon emissions, to reduce global warming, and for the creation of sustainable societies. Renewable energy is a broad area that includes different technologies that are being continuously improved to increase their efficiency and reduce cost. Many papers have been published in the last decades dealing with renewable energy issues, which is why it becomes important to determine the main topics of research, the main publications devoted to publishing scientific papers about renewable energy, and how researchers collaborate in this discipline. With these aims in view, this paper presents an advanced method for analysing publications about renewable energy and scientific collaboration networks in this field. This method is based on automatically obtaining bibliographic data from scientific publications through the use of the Scopus Database API Interface, which are then analysed using community detection algorithms and graph visualization software. The results obtained show that it is possible to determine the main areas of research activity as well as to identify the structures of the collaboration network in the field of renewable energy.
Assessment of Local Domestic Solid Fuel Sources: A Kenyan Case Study in Kisii, Bomet and Narok Counties
(Springer Link, 2023-06-01) Bosire, Josephate O.; Osano, Aloys M.; Maghanga, Justin K.; Forbes, Patricia B.C.
Proximate analyses and decomposition profiles of solid fuels commonly used in Kenya were studied to determine their relative suitability for use as a clean and efficient source of energy in households. The moisture, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon content of firewood, charcoal, and briquette samples were investigated, as well as their decomposition profiles under various temperature regimes. Except for the ash content of the briquette sample, which deviated slightly likely due to the presence of binders, all the values were within acceptable limits according to International Energy Agency and World Health Organization. Decomposition profiles revealed that mass change during combustion tends to occur primarily between 350 and 500 °C once the majority of the volatiles had been released. Briquette samples proved to be the most dependable and suitable household fuel due to their longer combustion time and lower volatile matter content, implying lower emissions.
Assessment of the implementation of energy conservation opportunities arising from energy audits; A study of four-star and five-star hotels in Nairobi Kenya
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2023-09-26) Ogola, Nicholas; Musau, Peter M.; Wekesa, Cyrus
This study assesses the implementation of energy conservation opportunities in four-star and five-star hotels in Nairobi. The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Hospitality Industry. Currently, there is a growing inclination to furnish guests with superior and sustainable services in an energy-efficient and eco-friendly way. Comprehensive research was conducted from energy audits gathered from the establishments and contracted auditing companies, on top of this, hotel staff were given digital questionnaires. To add to the data, the researcher surveyed the hotels with engineering managers. The Energy Audits found that all 10 hotels had adopted Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs). After further analysis, the mean adoption rate of Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs) during the past three years was 55.83%, which was below the aim of 100%. According to studies, hotel staff manages energy to cut costs. The researcher found that hotels use up a lot of energy. However, they have conservation potential, depending on government policies, costs, ease of implementation, and management commitment to sustainable practices. Essentially, Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs) reduce energy expenditures and boost reliable revenues, especially during high energy prices and uncertainty.
ASSESSMENT OF WIND CHARACTERISTICS AND POWER POTENTIAL AT KESSES LOCATION - UASIN-GISHU COUNTY, KENYA
(University of Eldoret, 2015) Cheruiyot, Wilkins
Wind energy is increasingly becoming popular all over the world as a green energy source for electricity generation since it is renewable and environmentally friendly. Pioneer wind turbines for electricity generation in Kenya were recently installed at Ngong Hills and Lake Turkana, and more is expected to be initiated in different parts of the country. Wind turbines extract the kinetic energy carried by the flowing wind and this energy is directly proportional to the cube of wind speed. Thus, the wind speed is the most important parameter to consider in designing and selecting an efficient wind energy conversion system. Meteorological Department (MET) and some learning institutions in Kenya have been collecting and storing climatic data for several years, including wind speeds and most of them have not been analyzed. Precise knowledge of availability of wind at any given location is a pre-requisite for the effective planning and implementation and speed analysis is useful for the assessment of wind characteristicsand power potential at a location. In this work, analyses of five years (2009-2013) wind speed data collected at a meteorological unit at Moi University, Kesses area, Uasin Gishu County- Kenya, was done. The station measures wind speed at a height of 2 m and were extrapolated to the standard height of measurements of 10 m and typical hub heights of 40 m, 70 m and 100 m for purposes of characterization and determination of energy potential respectively. The extrapolated results revealed that the average annual wind speed at the height of 10 m is 3.86 ms-1, meaning that the location wind speed can be classified as class IV with a maximum wind power density of 100 Wm-2. The average annual wind speed at the hub heights of 40 m, 70 m and 100 m were 5.48ms-1, 6.33ms-1and 6.93ms-1, giving corresponding power densities of 115.563Wm-2, 175.395Wm-2and 228.917 Wm-2respectively. Weibull distribution model was used in the analysis of wind speed distribution. The Weibull scale parameter range from 2.543 ms-1to a maximum of 3.046 ms-1. The Weibull shape parameter was peaked at 5.902 in the year 2012. Both cumulative and probability density function were assessed and graphically presented.Results showed that the site has potential for harnessing wind energy for electricity generation and both small and medium scale wind power turbines are recommended for installation at the site.
Beyond Household Socioeconomic Status: Multilevel Modeling of Supply-Side Determinants of LPG Consumption among 5,500 Households in Sub- Saharan Africa
(Research square, 2021-02-09) Shupler, Matthew; Mangeni, Judith; Sang, Edna; Baame, Miranda; Anderson de Cuevas, Rachel; Betang, Emmanuel; Saah, Jason; Quansah, Reginald; Puzzolo, Elisa; Mbatchou, Bertrand; Asante, Kwaku Poku; Menya, Diana; Pope, Daniel
Household transition to cleaner cooking fuels (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) has historically been understood as an “energy ladder” with clean energy access resulting from improvements in household socioeconomic status (SES). Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of supply-side determinants in increasing clean cooking, yet few large-scale studies have assessed their significance quantitatively. As part of the CLEAN-Air(Africa) study, a population-based survey was conducted (N = 5,638) assessing cooking practices in peri-urban communities within Cameroon, Kenya and Ghana. Multilevel logistic and log-linear regression were used to assess socioeconomic and supply-side determinants of LPG usage (primary versus secondary fuel) and consumption (kilograms/capita/year), respectively. Supply-side factors (e.g. cylinder refill and transportation costs) and using single versus multi-burner stoves were better predictors of both the probability of primarily cooking with LPG and annual LPG consumption than household SES. These results suggest the need for policies promoting LPG access and stove equipment that meet household needs.
Bio-alkanol gel fuel for rural households in the Lake Victoria Basin
(2019) Nyambega, Benson
The clean energy potential in eastern Africa is sufficient to develop a strong economic, social and environmentally beneficial supply that can exceed regional energy needs, make significant progress in increasing energy access, and do so in a way that achieves environmental sustainability and a more diverse and vibrant private sector.The Lake Victoria basin which is a significant water resource for the region is characterized by high rates of deforestation. Only 6% of rural households around the lake basin rely on modern fuels with the majority predominantly using solid fuel such as charcoal and firewood for their primary cooking needs. The resulting degradation of the catchment areas of Lake Victoria basin is a major threat to these resources and livelihoods. Moreover, firewood and paraffin which are popularly used by the rural households are a major source of indoor air pollution and are known to cause numerous respiratory ailments such as pneumonia, asthma and lung cancer among others.To minimize reliance on wood-based fuel and paraffin, the project will commercialize a renewable biofuel known as ‘bio-alkanol gel’ made from fruit waste. The bio-alkanol gel also has the potential to repel mosquitoes that cause malaria. An enterprise will be established through which the gel will be commercially produced, and sustainable business models developed to scale the product to benefit rural household communities in the Lake Victoria basin, youth and women among others
Biogas Technology in Kenya
(KIRDI, 2021-06-15) Lumadede H.M.*, Wangai L., Kwach S., Khalifa J. and Mbithi V.
Research into biogas production and sustainability in Kenya is in progress at Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) through its biogas laboratory. Biogas production is one of the renewable energies which we use in Kenya. Biogas importance, development, opportunities and the economical and sustainability in Kenya are discussed. The full exploitation of Kenya ‘s agricultural potential will yield a lot of biomass through which innovative use of the available bio waste from maize, cotton, tea and sugarcane can be utilized. Present and emerging biogas technologies convert these biowaste into renewable energy, thereby replacing the expensive fossil energy sources, and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Other substrates like water hyacinth and molasses distillery waste have been found to be a good source of biogas. This review examines the energy potential of biogas production from crop residues. The findings will promote biogas addition to the energy mix Kenya needs as well as providing approaches, achievements, lessons learnt and other relevant aspects of domestic biogas programmers. It aims to achieve a greater, more effective use of biogas and contributes to the process by providing knowledge of biogas use in Kenya and its potential. Development partners are supporting the implementation of market-based domestic biogas programmers in Kenya with a view to establish a commercially viable biogas sector.
Challenges of Accessing Electricity for ICT use in Kenyan Secondary Schools: A case of Nandi County.
(IOSR Journal of Engineering (IOSRJEN), 2018-09-03) Katumbi, Nicodemus; Oribo, Calleb
The use of ICT in the teaching and learning in local secondary schools in Nandi County has not been realized because of challenges arising from accessing electricity. This study focused on the electric power accessibility challenges facing the use of ICT equipment in secondary schools in Nandi County. The specific objectives of the study included; the determination of the use of alternative sources of energy in schools, the investigation of factors affecting the use of the alternative sources of energy in the powering of ICT equipment in schools, and the assessment of the schools principals’ attitudes towards the use of alternative sources of energy in local secondary schools. The study was conducted through a survey research design. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select the sample for the study. The data was analyzed by the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program. The findings of the study revealed that there was lack of electricity supply to many secondary schools; there were frequent power outages in the schools supplied with electricity; the cost of electric power use was high; the use of generators to generate electricity was expensive, and renewable sources of energy were not used to power ICT equipment in many secondary schools. The conclusions arrived at were that it was difficult to use ICT equipment in secondary schools in Nandi County because many secondary schools lacked access to electricity; there were frequent power outages in the schools supplied with electricity; cost of electricity was high; the cost of running generators were also high and there was lack of use of cost-effective alternative sources of energy. This study recommends that the government should supply electricity to all secondary schools, initiate renewable sources of energy projects to cater for the electricity deficit and the power distribution companies to use modern distribution methods to help reduce the power outages. Keywords: - ICT, Alternative
Characteristics of TiO2 Compact Layer prepared for DSSC application
(Path of Science, 2018-11-04) Musila, Nicholas; Munji, Mathew; Simiyu, Justus; Masika, Eric; Nyenge, Raphael; Kineene, Miriam; Musila, Nicholas; Munji, Mathew; Simiyu, Justus; Masika, Eric; Nyenge, Raphael; Kineene, Miriam
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer an economically reliable and suitable alternative in moderating the challenges presented by the existing convectional photovoltaic cells. However, the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells has remained relatively low. For this reason, this research was aimed at studying the characteristics of TiO2 compact layer that can be applied in DSSCs as a way of improving efficiency. To achieve this, TiO2 compact layer was deposited on a conductive glass substrate by using Holmarc’s Spray Pyrolysis system, using Ultrasonic Spray Head and spraying in the vertical geometry. X-ray Diffraction studies revealed that TiO2 compact layer was of anatase phase and had tetragonal crystalline structure. Raman spectroscopy showed that the most intense peak appeared at 142 cm-1 due to the external vibration of the anatase structure. Hall Effect studies revealed that TiO2 compact layer has a high density of charge carriers’ value of 1.25 × 1019 cm-3 hence it can be used in DSSC applications.

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