A CRITIC-TOPSIS framework for hybrid renewable energy systems evaluation under techno-economic requirements

The electricity generation policy is a strategic policy that drives development in a community. Energy policies are often analyzed with the aim of generating a reliable and affordable electricity for a community. There is a high probability of achieving this aim when energy policy is combined with a community social, technical, economic and environmental needs. This paper determines a hybrid renewable energy source (HRESs) for a rural community using technical, economic, and techno-economic criteria. The selection process combines Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) as a solution method. This approach applicability was tested using six HRESs under economic and technical criteria. Ten technical and nine economic criteria were simulated for the HRESs using HOMER. The results from the HOMER software show that A5(PV/wind/battery) and A6 (PV/battery) had a renewable fraction of 1. The results obtained from the CRITIC method showed that the most important technical and economic criteria were diesel generator and total fuel cost, respectively. From an economic perspective, the best HRES for the case study was A4 (diesel/batteries), while A3 (wind/diesel generator/batteries) was the best HRES from a technical and techno-economic perspectives

Evaluation of some heavy metals bio-accumulation in meat and haemolymph of african landsnail (Archachatina Marginata Swainson)

The impact of captive rearing of snails (Archachatina marginata) on the bio-accumulation of some heavy metals (HMs) (Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd and Cr) in the meat and haemolymph was evaluated in a two treatment trial (snails from the wild, (SW) and captive reared snails, (SC), each comprised of sixty snails of three replicates. Alldata collected (using standard analytical procedures) were subjected to ANOVA and significant means separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test. The trial revealed that the meat of SC had outstanding (P>0.05) Fe (22.30mg/kg) and Mn(4.79mg/kg), with no significant variation for DM, while the haemolymph recorded non-significant (P< 0.05) concentration for (Mn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd and Cr). Its levels of Fe (3.50mg/kg) and Cu (2.06mg/kg) were however significantly (P>0.05) impacted by captive rearing. Generally the level of Cr in the meat and haemolymph were higher than 0.05mg/kg recommendation by WHO, hence snail meat and haemolymph must be consumed with caution and guidance

Evaluating the Energy and Carbon (IV) Oxide (CO2) Reduction Resulting from Efficient Lighting at the University of Lagos, Nigeria

This study evaluated the economic and environmental potentials of improving the energy efficiency of the lighting technology at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. The energy audit report for the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos before retrofitting shows that all lighting fixtures in the lecture rooms are the 1.2 metre inefficient fluorescent lamps. The cost effectiveness of lighting retrofitting with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode tube (LED) lighting technology alternatives for the lighting system at Faculty of Engineering lecture rooms were analysed using economic indices such as life cycle cost analysis, net present cost, simple payback time, and internal rate of return. Relative to the existing system, installation of the two lighting technology alternatives would result in a 40 % and 72 % reduction of consumed energy respectively. With both technology alternatives paying back in less than two years, the LED technology returned a NPV of $35,791.76 (N12.95M) compared to the$15,261.43 (N5.24M) given back by the CLF lighting fixtures. If the alternative lighting technology that conserves the most electricity was installed, carbon dioxide emissions accompanying electricity usage would be reduced by about 72 % and a savings of 3.84 tonnes of oil would be achieved annually. From the study, it was established that the utilisation of energy efficient lighting system will reduce energy consumption; increase bills savings; and indirectly reduce carbon (IV) oxide emission from the fossil fuel used in powering the lamp

An Evaluation of Factors Predisposing Building Elements to Variation in Nigeria

The construction industry has been consistently criticized for poor performance in attaining clients’ requirements. The study, thus, assessed the factors predisposing building elements to variation with a view to providing cost-design information that enhance construction project delivery, that is, on-time completion of project within budget. The building elements considered in this study include substructure, frame, upper floors, and roof. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaires administered on professionals in consulting firms, contracting firms, and client organizations in Lagos metropolis. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the analysis revealed nine factors through factor analysis that predispose substructure to variation, seven factors predispose frame, six factors predispose upper floors, and seven factors predispose roofs to variation during construction process in Nigeria

Nutritional value and sensory properties of sorghum gruel enriched with sweet potato and date palm flour

Background: Sorghum gruel is a breakfast cereal that is commonly eaten by adults and also used as complementary food for infants in southwest Nigeria.Objective: To determine the nutritional value and sensory properties of sorghum gruel enriched with date palm and sweet potato flour using different proportions.Methods: The study was experimental in design. A total of seven composite samples [A- G] were produced from the mixture of different concentrations of sorghum flour [SF], date palm flour [DPF] and sweet potato flour [SPF]. Sample A served as the control containing 100% of Sorghum while samples B to G were mixtures of SF, DPF and SPF prepared in ratio 50:10:40; 50:20:30; 50:30:20; 50:40:10; 50:50:0 and 50:0:50w/w respectively. Proximate composition and selected minerals of the samples were determined using standard methods. Each sample was prepared into gruel using standard recipe and their sensory attributes were assessed using a nine-point hedonic scale. Data obtained were expressed as mean ±S.D and analysed using Duncan Multiple Range Test.Results: The carbohydrate content ranged from 56.97% to 75.9%; protein content ranged from 5.84% to 7.29% and fat content ranged from 3.25% to 20.05%. Sample A had the highest carbohydrate content, sample G had the highest protein content and sample E had the highest fat content). Iron content ranged from 124.43mg to 825.63mg, calcium content ranged from 0.05mg to 0.13mg, zinc content ranged from 2.63mg to 34.21mg, magnesium content ranged from 0.01mg to 0.15mg. Calcium concentration in samples E and F were significantly higher than in other samples [p<0.05]. Sample F had the highest iron content, sample E had the highest magnesium concentration and sample D had the highest zinc content (p< 0.05). Sample A had significantly low amount of micronutrients compared with other samples [p<0.05]. In terms of overall acceptability, samples B, C and D were significantly rated higher than other samples (p<0.05).Conclusion: Enriching sorghum with date palm and sweet potato flour significantly improved its nutritional qualities especially the protein and micronutrient contents and has potential to be used as complementary food for infants.Keywords: Enriched sorghum gruel, Date palm flour, Sweet potato flou

Critical factors in road infrastructure development in Osun state, south western Nigeria

Road infrastructure has a very high economic impact on the rural/urban integration especially with the creation of Osun State in 1992. The correlation between road infrastructure and economic development has been well established in literature. This study examined road infrastructure development in Osun State, South-western Nigeria between1999 and 2008. Structured questionnaire administered on 74 construction professionals and 32 financial administrators with official cadre ranging between principal and director in the public service of the State provided quantitative data for the study. In addition, a field survey of (17) road projects budgeted for execution in the State during this period was carried out. Data obtained were analyzed using percentage and relative significance index. The result of the study indicated poor implementation incidence of road projects in the State which is attributed to funding and coordination issues. Findings from the study provide information for rethinking budgeting for road infrastructure development in developing economy where road infrastructure financing depends on public funding

Effect of Chromolaena Odorata Residue and Urea Fertilizer on Plant Available Nitrogen, Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Maysl.) in Ejiba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted at Lower Niger River Basin and Rural Development Authority, Ejiba to examine the effects of Chromolaena odorataresidue and urea fertilizer on plant available nitrogen, growth and yield of maize. The experimental design employed was randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of six (6) treatments with three(3) replicates. The treatments consisted of the following: Urea (mineral fertilizer) at 260 kg/ha, 10t/ha Chromolaena odorata stem & Leaf, 8t/ha Chromolaena odorata residue + 52 kg/ha urea, 6t/ha Chromolaena odorata residue + 104 kg/ha urea, 4t/ha Chromolaena odorata residue + 156 kg/ha urea and 2t/ha Chromolaena odorata residue + 208 kg/ha urea. Maize seeds (ACR 9931 DMR - SR - Y) were sown at a spacing of 90 cm between rows and 30cm within rows. Soil sample was collected and analysed for soil organic carbon and mineral nitrogen. Data were taken on agronomic traits such as plant height, leaf area, stem diameter and days to50% tasselling. Yield parameters taken were number of seed per cob, grain weight per plant (kg), and weight of 1000 seeds. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. The integrated use of Chromolaena odorata residues and mineral fertilizer(urea) showed promising potential in conserving soil fertility and improve the yield of maize in the study area. It is recommended that the use of Chromolaena odorata residue at 6t/ha plus urea fertilizer at 104kg/ha be adopted for maize cultivation in the study area. Keywords: Nutrient, Maize, Residue, Organic, Inorganic and Fertilize

The Translator’s Faithfulness: A Case of the English Version of Sembene Ousmane’s Money Order

Translation plays a prominent role in the teaching and learning of foreign languages as well as literature. This discipline which could be said to be as old as man himself has always subjected man’s brain to a rigorous linguistics exercise that brings to fore the complex nature of language. It is, therefore, easy to assert that the process of rendering the message of a language into another requires a great deal of intellectual creativity. This study highlights the constraints and the diverse mechanisms the translator has to consider in order to convey the message without mutilating the meaning intended to the target public. The translator is either a faithful one or a betrayer. It is always believed that translating is falsehood. In the case of Le Mandat of Sembène Ousmane, translated to Money Order, some of these constraints and problems a translator faces are exemplified