Hybrid Energy Systems Model with the Inclusion of Energy Efficiency Measures: A Rural Application Perspective

way to the carbon footprint in the developing nations. Thus, the energy management initiative could assist in reducing the menace of greenhouse gas emission. Hence, the energy policy makers and planners have unanimously proposed adoption of demand side management (DSM) technique. Thus the adoption of energy efficiency technique (EET)-a DSM measures and hybrid energy system would be essential for rural electrification. This work investigates the effect of applying energy efficiency measures in rural electrification. A case study of an un-electrified rural settlement in Ibadan, Nigeria was considered. The utilization of EET techniques reduces the emission of CO2 by 62%, while the technical analysis indicates the possibility of a 100% renewable electricity production. Principally, the adoption of energy efficient techniques proved to be economically and environmentally friendly

Comparative evaluation of processes for production of soybean meal for poultry feed in Nigeria Evaluación comparativa de procesos para la producción de harina de soya para la alimentación de pollos en Nigeria

This work examined and compared three processes for production of low trypsin inhibitor soybean meal. Soybean flour was subjected to roasting, autoclaving and steaming to denature trypsin inhibitors. Roasting was done at 120, 130, 135 and 140 ºC for 5, 7, 8 and 9 minutes, respectively. Autoclaving was carried out at 121ºC, 15psig for 20, 30, 40 and 50 minutes. Steaming was carried out at 105 ºC for 10, 12, 15 and 18 minutes. Defatting of the samples was done and the activity of trypsin inhibitor was investigated. Proximate analysis and quality tests was carried out to ascertain quality of the heat treated soybean meals. Trypsin inhibitor in the soybean meals from the three heat treatment processes ranged from 1.20 to 3.54mg/g while that of raw sample was 6.01mg/g. Percentage crude protein in all the heat treated samples ranged from 39.38 to 40.58 % while that of raw sample was 44.60 %. Urease index ranged from 0.11 to 2.07 % for all heat treated samples while it was 2.11 % for the raw samples. % KOH protein solubility in Soybean meal from the three processes ranged from 45.2 to 73.1 % while that of the raw sample was 49.1%. The results were statistically significant at p>0.05. At significance level of p>0.05 it was established that local soybeans can be processed with adequate heat to obtain low activity soybean meal with good nutrient standard. The steaming process operated at 105 ºC for 18 minutes gave the best overall results with trypsin inhibitor activity of 1.20 mg/g

Artificial Neural Network and its Applications in the Energy Sector – An Overview

In order to realize the goal of optimal use of energy sources and cleaner environment at a minimal cost, researchers; field professionals; and industrialists have identified the expediency of harnessing the computational benefits provided by artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. This article provides an overview of AI, chronological blueprints of the emergence of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and some of its applications in the energy sector. This short survey reveals that despite the initial hiccups at the developmental stages of ANNs, ANN has tremendously evolved, is still evolving and have been found to be effective in handling highly complex problems even in the areas of modeling, control, and optimization, to mention a few

Evaluation of landfill gas plant siting problem: a multi-criteria approach

Background: Landfill activities have environmental and economic values to a community. While the former deals with the control of landfill gas (LFG) emission into the atmosphere, the latter deals with the conversion of LFG to clean energy and subsequently, wealth creation. To fully harness these benefits, LFG plants must be well sited in a community, and this can be achieved when proper techno-economic analysis has been carried out. This will not only justify the LFG plants investment cost, but it will also guarantee their sustainability. Methods: This study presented a framework that ranks and selects LFG project for a community. First, numerical expressions were used to evaluate the techno-economic and environmental requirements of the project sites, then, the importance of these requirements was determined using Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC) method. The sites were ranked using grey relational analysis (GRA) and Weighted Aggregated Sum-Product Assessment (WASPAS) method. An illustrative example of the proposed framework was presented using real-world dataset from different communities in Nigeria. Finally, four LFG project sites were ranked using four environmental criteria, five technical criteria, and eight economic criteria. Results: The results of WASPAS were verified by comparing them with the results of Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and axiomatic design (AD) methods. It was observed that the results of both methods were the same for the different LFG sites. Conclusion: According to the results, it is obvious that this study will be useful to policy-makers and investors in LFG business, while the former could seek for plants’ sustainability, the latter interest will be on the payback period of their investment

Evaluation of landfill gas plant siting problem: a multi-criteria approach

Background: Landfill activities have environmental and economic values to a community. While the former deals with the control of landfill gas (LFG) emission into the atmosphere, the latter deals with the conversion of LFG to clean energy and subsequently, wealth creation. To fully harness these benefits, LFG plants must be well sited in a community, and this can be achieved when proper techno-economic analysis has been carried out. This will not only justify the LFG plants investment cost, but it will also guarantee their sustainability. Methods: This study presented a framework that ranks and selects LFG project for a community. First, numerical expressions were used to evaluate the techno-economic and environmental requirements of the project sites, then, the importance of these requirements was determined using Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC) method. The sites were ranked using grey relational analysis (GRA) and Weighted Aggregated Sum-Product Assessment (WASPAS) method. An illustrative example of the proposed framework was presented using real-world dataset from different communities in Nigeria. Finally, four LFG project sites were ranked using four environmental criteria, five technical criteria, and eight economic criteria. Results: The results of WASPAS were verified by comparing them with the results of Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and axiomatic design (AD) methods. It was observed that the results of both methods were the same for the different LFG sites. Conclusion: According to the results, it is obvious that this study will be useful to policy-makers and investors in LFG business, while the former could seek for plants’ sustainability, the latter interest will be on the payback period of their investment. Keywords: Nigeria, Waste disposal facilities, Atmospheres, Environment, Investment

Hybrid Power System for a Fuel Station Considering Temperature Coefficient

It is crystal clear that appropriate technical sizing has a significant effect on the techno-economic analysis of an off-grid standalone energy system. As a result, this study presents the effect of incorporating the temperature coefficient in the optimal analysis of an off-grid hybrid system using a standard fuel (gas) station in Nigeria as a case study. Comparative analysis with and without the temperature coefficient was performed. The results showed that the inclusion of temperature coefficient leads to extra operation hours of the generator which will result in an increase in fuel consumption and annual operation cost of the diesel generator. Also, the initial cost of the PV/BAT/diesel is relatively higher than the diesel generator but, the generating emission of the hybrid system is lower when compared to the diesel-only which enhances the atmospheric condition of the society

Electricity Supply in Nigeria: Cost Comparison between Grid Power Tariff and Fossil-Powered Generator

Electricity supply in Nigeria is a huge problem with great economic and political consequences. After unbundling and privatization of generation and distribution companies, not much improvement has been experienced by electricity consumers; this is due to lack of investment in infrastructure. Lack of investment in infrastructure especially from private investors is caused largely by non-cost reflective tariff among other factors highlighted in this study. While many believe tariff has to be controlled such that it does not go beyond the reach of average citizens, many also believe that the average citizens can pay much more than the current tariff. The latter is evident considering the average amount spend on the use of portable gasoline generators by most homes and small enterprises both in rural and urban centers. The whole life cost method is used to show here that it costs a home or business premise that operates a portable gasoline generator for 6 h daily NGN 37,000/ month and costs NGN 157,000 to operate 20 kVA diesel generator. This shows the consumers’ capacity to pay the appropriate tariff that can attract investors to the sector

Harnessing Renewable Energy for Sustainable Agricultural Applications

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development suggests that all countries both developed and developing strive to attain the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs). Some items on the SDGs like implementation of renewable energy technologies to electrify regions disconnected from power grids are targeted to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger while ensuring environmental sustainability. Hence, the role of integrated renewable energy in improving the productivity and environmental sustainability of the agricultural sector cannot be overemphasized. This paper presents a brief survey of the application of renewable energy resources technologies in the agricultural sector

Environmental and Societal Impact of Nanotechnology

The ability to measure, understand, manipulate, organize, engineer and control matter on the nanoscale has been opening up the wealth of possibilities that were otherwise non - existent at higher scales. At this scale, basic research principles and tools in biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering converge and have led to all-inclusive applications of nanotechnology. Despite the innovative applications and promising potentials of nanotechnology, there are concerns about its short and long-lasting impacts on humans, nature and the environment. In an attempt to address these concerns, a number of researches have been conducted. Evaluations of studies addressing the issues of nanotechnologies and their impacts are necessary to give insights for further studies that will advance the technology for the true benefit of mankind and nature. This study, thus, provides a detailed review of studies on nanotechnology applications and the positions of stakeholders on the impact of nanotechnology. Among other things, the outcome of this survey shows that there are numerous successful applications of nanotechnology. Public perceptions are pivotal in determining the extent of revolution and transformation that nanotechnology will have on the environment. Religious beliefs and moral concerns; trust in governmental regulatory agencies and the industry; the level of inclusion of the society in the product design, development, and commercialization process is critical to the extent of acceptance of nanotechnology inventions. Expression of objective views concerning the benefits, limitations & risks, and adequate education of the public, risk regulators & all stakeholders are crucial in determining the fate of nanotechnolog