Development of alternative fuel for cement industries: The case of Messebo cement factory in Ethiopia.

The cement industry is struggling with dwindling fossil fuel resources and environmental issues related to climate change. This sector is known for its high energy consumption and generates significant CO2 emissions, accounting for 19% of global thermal energy consumption and 7% of CO2 emissions. For this reason, Cement industries are seeking to replace traditional energy sources with alternative fuels. This study aims to investigate and optimize alternative fuels, evaluating their chemical and physical properties, energy output, production capacity, effect on clinker quality, and impact on combustion flue gas emissions. The study shows that the alternative fuels meet or exceed the minimum international standard of 14 MJ/kg for net calorific value. Therefore, they could replace up to 40% of South African coal in the clinker pre-calcining process. Using alternative fuels such as P. j wood, P. j leaf, P. j charcoal, used tire, and optimized fuels could potentially reduce CO2 emissions by 2%, 9%, 9%, 21%, and 17% respectively. Therefore, policy makers and companies should strongly consider adopting these recommended alternatives

Evidence-based energy conservation potentials and policy implications in the textile and garment industries of Ethiopia

Energy is one of the primary inputs in textile and garment processing industries and its cost share is reported between 5 and 10% of the total production cost in developed countries but is far higher in developing countries. The textile and garment sector is one of the fast growing economic sectors in developing nations like Ethiopia which have very limited scientific data particularly in the industries where there is no clear and concise information about the energy consumption pattern as well as the energy conservation practices. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to understand the energy usage pattern and conservation practices and to recommend evidence-based conservation measures and policy directions. The aim of this comprehensive study was therefore to conduct a detailed energy audit in the MAA garment and textile industry, in the town of Mekelle, at the northern part of Ethiopia, to analyze the major energy-consuming areas and implementation of evidence-based energy conservation solutions. This was achieved through primary and secondary data collected from the company. Accordingly, a total of 15 energy conservation recommendation was identified and proposed for possible implementation that have the potential to save a total cost of around $214,600 per year but requires nearly$98,300 investment leading to a payback period of 7 months. These recommendations include in the utilities of boiler, thermic fluid heater, air compressors, and lightings. In addition, key policy directions are recommended to support the sectors to reduce their energy consumption

Ethiopia needs peace to accelerate its SDG 7 achievements

Ethiopia has been striving to achieve its SDG 7 targets by heavily investing in the power sector. Large-scale dams have been developed and are currently under construction, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). These developments have supported the expansion of connectivity to millions of people. However, due to political differences between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray regional government, a devastating war broke out in November 2020, and the conflict has since expanded to other regions of Ethiopia. These conflicts have hindered Ethiopia's economic development, derailing achievements of the SDG 7 targets. The negotiated peace settlement that was signed in Pretoria and Nairobi is encouraging and should be sustained. The government must use this opportunity and commit the country's resources to the rehabilitation of damaged critical infrastructure and initiating large-scale projects to promote lasting peace by building confidence in the population. The conflicts of the last two years should be used as a lesson for Ethiopians to resolve political differences through constructive and equitable dialogue across the political spectrum. We need to develop a culture of resolving differences by ourselves through a) strengthening institutions and norms to nurture a political culture of resolving political differences through dialogues; b) developing and strengthening an independent judicial system; c) developing a culture of providing justice for those affected and introducing a true reconciliation process; and d) developing mechanisms to ensure and protect critical infrastructures during conflicts

Intelligent manufacturing eco-system: A post COVID-19 recovery and growth opportunity for manufacturing industry in Sub-Saharan countries

The lagging behind intelligent technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic together have impacted the emerging economy particularly the manufacturing sector in sub-Saharan countries. This paper systematically discusses intelligent manufacturing technologies with an aim to map out their importance and industrial applicability and to show their significance to contain COVID-19 pandemic. Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) is then adapted as a post COVID-19 recovery and growth opportunity to ensemble to production processes of manufacturing industry in the sub-Saharan countries. Proposition of a Triple Helix Collaboration Eco-system that delineate a recursive contribution of Government(s), academia, and industry accompanies the IMS adoption. The intention is to shape the existing industrial challenges through networking in the area of intelligence technologies. While proposing the Eco-system, a post COVID-19 recovery and growth opportunity and intra-Africa scientific collaborations are taken into account

The need to localize energy technologies for Africa's post COVID-19 recovery and growth

Africa has limited capacity to develop its own energy technologies and has been largely dependent on importation for its economic development. It is anticipated that there will be huge challenge for the very limited manufacturing industries in the continent to respond to the increasing energy demand. This will largely require the up scaling of the local manufacturing industries in-terms of skills, design capability, engineering management, manufacturing process and other related issues. Experiences from the developed world showed that academics and industries play critical role in innovation and technology development with proper policy and focus from the policymakers. African academics and industries could play similar role but requires revitalizing with enabling policies and sufficient funding. For this reason, African governments should prioritize their policies and investments towards achieving local energy technology development and innovation in order to build resilient economy. In light of this, we provided necessary recommendations for African led development pathways and policies to promote local manufacturing of energy technologies. This will have huge implications in supporting post COVID recovery and sustainable growth of the African countries

Characterization of Municipal Solid waste’s Potential for Power Generation at Mekelle City as a Waste Minimisation strategy

Waste to energy concept is one of the best methods, which not only consider the environment but also generate energy from municipal solid waste (MSW). Generation of MSWs at Mekelle city, Ethiopia, has grown steadily mainly due to migration of people from rural areas. However, the waste has not been managed and utilised as a useful resource due to lack of awareness and proper technology in the city. The objective of this study was to measure the heat content of solid waste generated in the city. Measurement of heating value was performed on collected samples using bomb calorimeter and Dulong’s formula. The average heating values obtained from the experimental analysis were 17,001 kJ/kg. The energy content obtained from the elemental composition of waste using Dulong’s formula was 16,853 kJ/kg. These results indicate that it could be possible to generate 8.7 MW of power from the solid waste composition represented by the sample; it is a good potential to alleviating the power shortage and interruption problems in the city. The results of this study could be used for design considerations in the selection and establishment of waste to energy technology in Mekelle city