Without mincing words, the poor power supply has been a terrible cankerworm eating deep into the fabrics of Africa as a continent.

It is expected that a continent ranking in the top ten list of crude oil production will have a very comfortable state of living.

Is it still news that an average African man carries his charger around, looking for the nearest opportunity to charge his appliances? Is it still news that an average African Child dances around at the sight of electricity? What does that depict, the Power system has not served us properly.

african power problem
cutting of light is a common problem that African citizens face each day due to the high cost of the grid system of power supply


This alone shows why there is a great record of poverty and hunger in Africa. Or is there any magic wand that will make Africa rich and prosperous even as we have an epileptic power supply? I am not here to lament, I am only here to draw our minds back on what have been, and lead us into a journey of what should be.

THE CURRENT STATE OF AFRICA AND PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LACK OF POWER SUPPLY


The major challenges we face in Africa are poverty which leads to hunger, unemployment, and mismanagement. Now I know you will be asking what this has to do with the power issue I presented.

But I will categorically tell you that it has everything to do with it. Over the years, the major source of power supply in Africa is through the use of non-renewable energy resources, like coal and crude oil. Not minding the fact that this has sustained us, it has also caused us harm.

Because of the lack of proper power supply, and the large expenses associated with the model of energy Africa is practicing. So many underdeveloped countries cannot harness the potentials in Agriculture. How far will the manual method of practicing agriculture take them?

Agriculture is a major way in which many countries survive. But this agriculture is most times limited because of the harm renewable energy cause in the ecosystem. The most common of them all is oil spillage which is mostly due to mismanagement and most times due to unforeseen circumstances.

THE IDEA BEHIND THIS ARTICLE IS TO OPEN OUR TOWARDS INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AS ITS A SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

We have heard so much of oil spillage. Do I need to tell you the consequences of oil spillage? Oil spillage causes so much harm and damage to our aquatic animals especially fishes. When this is the case, what is the hope of the fishermen who has fishing as the major source of their income? Also, what is the fate of the aquatic ecosystem?

Using Nigeria as a case study, oil spillage has caused great damages to our farm produce. Often lands that are affected don’t get to produce enough seeds? The ultimate result of this is hunger, poverty, and a decline in the nation’s GDP.

Moreover, how can I explain that some developing countries in Africa do not have access to even this electricity generated from non-renewable sources? How can I explain that even in developed countries, only those in the middle class and upper class can access the electrical grid?

Is that not a clear indication, that there is a limit to where non-renewable energy resources can go?

OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS CAUSED BY POOR POWER SUPPLY

We are not done with the problems Africa faces due to poor power supply. One very disturbing one is air pollution. It is no longer news that Africa has been turned to a dumping ground for different kinds of generators.

Because most African countries’ power sector can barely generate constant power supply, this is our only alternative. What of the terrible health implications the smoke from these generators cause? Fumes from generators contain carbon monoxide which is toxic to health yet every day, millions of homes put on their generators inhaling these fumes.

africa power crisis
using old modern lantern to read due to lack of power supply

Another disturbing aspect of this poor power supply is that it has lead to an increase in the number of death in our various hospitals. It is no longer news that most patients die because there is no power to carry out major operations.

THIS POWER SUPPLY CRISIS AFFECTS ALL SECTORS

Even the education sector is not left out in this mess. Africa is still very much into manual learning. We cannot even think of adopting the E-learning method now because there is no light to power our gadgets. Or should I now say of the numerous times students are denied access to practical and laboratory rooms because of a poor power supply?

Most of them all are corruption. Because of how non-renewable energy runs, it is very easy for politicians and people in charge of the power sector to amass wealth. It has become an avenue for money generation.

The heartbreaking aspect of it all is that most of the major countries we export oil to, are no longer very much interested. The pandemic hit makes matters worst as oil price continues to decline to the barest minimum.

Am I the only one sensing the great danger looming ahead? Have we stopped to ask ourselves why oil that seemed to be a major source of power supply suddenly lost its value?

Okay, in case you asked that question and got no answer, here is the answer – “It is majorly because most of the developing countries have gone out of the era of seeing non-renewable energy resources as their ultimate savior”. The new deal is Renewable energy resources. Yes, I said that. Let’s not panic too much, there is hope.

Now, stick with me here let’s have more discourse on how we can be saved from the power issue.

THE ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEM IS CLEAN ENERGY RESOURCES

When I say clean energy resources, I am talking about renewable energy resources. Are you aware that Africa asides crude oil is also one of the continents that have great access to renewable energy sources?

We are blessed with abundant sunlight, we have water, the wind is practically everywhere. I mentioned them because this is the basis of renewable energy resources.

HOW CAN THE VARIOUS RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES SAVE US?

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar is the easiest renewable energy source that can go so far to save even the most underdeveloped countries.

Instead of pouring the limited resources, we have into fossil fuels. What if the government convert that money and provide as many solar panels as possible to various regions?

What prevents individuals in the middle and upper class from installing solar panels in their homes. So that the government will use the non-renewable energy to focus on the lower class citizens that can’t afford solar?

africa power crisis, make use of solar in rural area
solar power can also be installed in the rural area

Now you will ask, what happens when climate changes and there is no much sun. My answer is, then we will be sustained by the solar storage bank. Because each complete home solar system comes with a big battery back up. I am glad we all know that the times in the year we have abundant sunlight in Africa, is greater than the times we don’t have it.

The goal is to reduce the way we heat the ecosystem and to provide a more sustainable source of power supply.

WIND ENERGY

What is the use of only receiving fresh air, and expecting heavy rain when the day becomes windy when we can use it to generate electricity?.

As I leave you to ponder, I will tell you that with the use of turbines, we can convert wind into electricity, yes it is possible. When these turbines in question spin, they generate electricity.

Now, this may not be used for house consumption. It is normally used for large scale businesses. If all the big organizations that produce different things, make use of this wind energy, and invest in a one-time installation, the cases of low energy for production will be reduced to the barest minimum.

Prices of goods and services will be reduced because you are no more burning money trying to purchase fossil fuels or gas. There will be more spaces for employment as there will be enough to power to provide more services.

I am very sure that the goal is to provide a better Africa, so I don’t see the reason why any organization that can afford this won’t go for it.

HYDRO POWER

Do you know that apart from domestic use and transportation, water can help us generate electricity? With the use of turbines, we can generate energy from water.

See, the thing is that all the natural resources Africa is blessed with are capable of saving us from our power crisis.

Geothermal energy and biomass are also other sources of renewable energy sources.

WHY WE SHOULD ALL EMBRACE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES

As I mentioned earlier, it is highly a clean energy source. It does not have any single effect on the ecosystem. Asides geothermal energy which can lead to earthquakes when not properly managed, it is completely harmless.

It saves cost as it only needs a one-time installation.
It is very much accessible as these natural resources are not bought.
As we are all hoping for the government to embrace this fully. We can start from our various homes and companies to implement this, and save ourselves from further harm.

CONCLUSION

In as much we are currently facing a power crisis, which is in turn affecting various sectors of our economy. We are delighted by the fact that there is hope for change and improvement.

Why should we remain in the dark while others are moving forward to embrace the innovative idea of the solar power system especially?

The big countries like the United States and China that are making use of this renewable energy are not better than us, we are even more endowed naturally. So it is only a matter of careful planning for us to get there and save ourselves.

It is also worthy of note that so many big countries in Africa are already using this renewable energy as an alternative that is why you will find. Noor concentrated solar power plant In Morocco, Lake Turkana wind farm in Kenya, and Grand Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia.

ESI, Africa’s Power Journal reported Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, and Ghana as Africa’s fastest-growing markets and so far, it has led to an upscale in their industrial and commercial sector.

Thus, other African countries should learn from them as they are already setting the pace. We will keep looking forward to a great and better Africa.

Nature in all her benevolence submitted herself to us, for us to be able to harness it just the way we want. This we discovered, and we used it to meet most of our needs in ages past, except for our electrical need.

Now, the scale is off, and we have discovered that we can use various natural sources to generate different forms of renewable energy for our daily needs.

Renewable energy is much different, convenient, and healthy compared to using nonrenewable energy sources. If I stop to think of the various damages we have caused to the ecosystem, all those while that we used nonrenewable energy resources as the only means of generating electricity,  I cringe at the thought.

global data for renewable energy
RENEWABLE ENERGY TO REPRESENT 30% OF US TOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY BY 2030

But nevertheless, we know better and we must improve the awareness of the unending benefits of renewable energy resources.

In this article, I will walk you through the various forms of renewable energy. How they are generated, the economic importance and the global consumption of renewable energy resources. happy reading!

WHAT IS RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES?

Renewable energy resources are clean sources of generating power that can be replenished. Compared to the use of dirty fossil fuels, it has to do with using the sources available to us to generate energy for our electrical needs. These sources in question can be either, solar, wind, hydroelectric, and lots more.

Why we are strongly passionate about this renewable energy and why you should consider it is because of the following:

  • It gives room for a clean environment.
  • It reduces the hazardous effect fossil fuels have on the environment.
  • This form of energy is very much cost-effective.
  • It does not emit harmful chemicals in the form of carbon dioxide.

The world and renewable energy

To further buttress on the importance of renewable energy, I will give you detailed statistics of how countries all over the world, is fast changing to a clean and free source.

As of 2019, the leading countries for installed renewable energy were, China with a capacity of 758.63. United states with a capacity of 264.5, Brazil with a capacity of 141.93, India with a capacity of 128.23. Germany with a capacity of 125.39, Canada with a capacity of 101. Japan with a capacity of 97.46, Italy with a capacity of 55.32. Russia with a capacity of 55.19, and France with a capacity of 52.93.

renewable energy statistics across all forms

As you can see for yourself, countries are fast embracing this renewable energy. Charts have been made on the increase of renewable energy in the energy world, and projections have also been made on how these might increase and completely take overcome 2050.

As you will be wondering why these countries are switching. I will clear your doubt by telling you the impact of renewable energy globally.

GLOBAL IMPACT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

Use of renewable energy helps in both economic, social and environmental improvement.

This energy resource has helped in improving the economic status of so many countries, as this is cost-effective and needs constant renewal which most times does not need money.

For example, once solar is installed, it only needs to be exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight at all times. Also, this form of energy resources tends to provide job opportunities, as many companies and government parastatal are taking interest in it, thereby requiring workforce.

Renewable energy sources improve social living standards by generating clean energy, thereby helping countries reduce the way they heat up the ecosystem, and also giving rise to a significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels.

Talking of agriculture, renewable energy sources helps in powering most of the major tools used in production of agricultural produce at a very much reduced cost.

renewable energy and agriculture
RENEWABLE ENERGY POWERED IRRIGATION IN FARMING

Having seen many of these positive impacts, so many private sectors have also embraced this clean energy source.

You can click on this link to see the fast switch by private sectors

WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY?

Having kept you waiting for long, I will tell you where this renewable energy can be gotten from, while we discuss the major sources.

SOLAR ENERGY

This energy is gotten directly from sunlight and supplies us with the full energy to meet our electrical needs.

Making use of solar panels, energy is trapped from sunlight and in turn converted to electricity, which can be used to power most, if not all of our electrical appliances.

In addition to providing electrical needs, it can be used for the charging of batteries and heating of hot water. Solar energy is much encouraged because it is very much cost-effective, as it needs only a one-time installation.

It also provides you with an energy clean home. Solar energy can be used for both small scale and large scale consumption.

WIND POWER

Feeling the wind most times, it appears as though it is moving air from one place to another. This movement is a result of uneven heating of the earth’s surface.

Should the wind just be allowed to move, without putting it into an advanced use? Obviously no, this is why wind can now be captured to give off the power by making use of large turbines that generate electricity while they spin. So solar panel is to solar, just as the turbine is to wind.

Although wind power is not the best option for homes, it is highly recommended for utility-scale applications.

Like every other renewable energy, wind power does not pollute the environment.

HYDRO POWER

Just like in the case of wind power, where electricity can be generated from moving air, it can also be generated from flowing water. In this case, the turbine is used. When moving water runs through a turbine, it spins it to produce electricity.

But do we then go to a small river to produce electricity? Obviously no, hydro power are usually produced at large damns, or water falls, because here, water drops significantly in elevation.

Just like other renewable energy sources, hydropower does not pollute the environment, but it can change the water levels, currents, and migration paths for aquatic animals. So it is not as convenient as other renewable energy sources.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

The heat trapped when the planet was formed, and the radioactive decays in rock that is deep beneath the earths crust all result in a large amount of geothermal heat energy.

Geothermal heat energy is also captured by the use of turbine. This is usually done by using steam from heated water to spin a turbine. In a geothermal spring system, there is pumping of water below the ground.

When this water is heated, it rises back to the earths surface in the form of steam. This steam is then used to spin a turbine.

In addition to providing electricity, geothermal heat is also used to provide heating or cooling to a building. Like other renewable energy sources, it does not pollute the environment, but the high cost of constructing a power plant poses a challenge. And most times it can lead to earth quake because it causes surface instability.

BIOMASS

This energy can be generated from recently living organic matters like plants and animals. This biomass are referred to as renewable because of how quality plants can be regrown. Biomass does not pollute the environment.

CONCLUSION

If the big countries can fast embrace renewable energy sources, individuals should as well move with the flow. It is already clear what you stand to gain by using renewable energy sources, so you should not be hesitant while  making this decision to switch.

You can decide to use the one most convenient for your need, and once you are around Nigeria and need further information on the one best suited for you, feel free to contact me.

The era of using wind power in the form of a windmill to grind grains and pump water is over. Who would believe that heavy wind signifies more than the downpour of heavy rain and fresh air?

Wind power is now very valuable for generating electricity. Yes, we are talking about wind. How would you see using wind power to stop the incessant electricity problems?

If after knowing this, and you still go ahead to complain about insufficient electricity, then I don’t know what I will call that. Let me take you to a whole new ride of realization of what wind power can do.

WHAT IS WIND POWER?

Wind possesses kinetic energy. Now, wind power is a process of energy conversion, in which turbines are used to convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical or electrical energy. How this works is that, once wind hits the turbine blade, it causes the turbines connected to them to rotate.

This will turn the rotational energy to kinetic energy, thereby turning the shaft of the generator connected to them. Then the kinetic energy is now converted to electrical energy through electromagnetism.

A great amount of power can be generated by the winds, but this is solely dependent on the size of the turbine and the measure of its blade. By implication, the output depends on the dimensions of the rotor and the size of the wind cube.

Therefore once the winds speed increases, wind power potentials increases too. The rate at which wind powers are used has increased over the decade.

The wind power that has been installed both on shore and off shore has increased tremendously by almost a factor of 75 in the past two decades, moving from 7.5 gigawatts in 1997 to 564 gigawatts by 2018.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WIND POWER

Wind power is a major source of renewable energy.

Wind power cannot be exhausted, because there is no such thing as scarcity of wind.

Am sure you care much about your health, and in that regard wind power is not in any way harmful because it does not contain fossil fuel.

Wind power reduces the dependence on fossil fuels.              

Wind power has also been very useful to the economy as it provides a series of jobs for different personnel in different sectors.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN WIND POWER SECTOR

You might be wondering if there are chances of a job in this sector. Of course, the wind power industry is one energy industry that employs many laborers.

Here, you will find, engineers, plant managers, and quality assurance personnel are needed in the manufacturing, installation and operations departments.

Workers will also be needed for blade productions, tower productions, or gear box productions.

We also believe that there will be space for computer scientists, mathematicians and atmospheric scientists. So if you fit into any of the categories mentioned above, you can seek for the nearest wind power industry closest to you as you might be lucky to get a job.

Could there be disadvantages to using wind power?

In as much as wind power cannot be exhausted, you must note that it fluctuates a great deal.

It produces a great deal of noise pollution.

Visual pollution is also associated with wind power.

Wind powers also is not all that affordable.

Amidst all these, wind power is highly encouraged because it goes a great deal in satisfying our electrical needs. Obviously the advantages outweighs the disadvantages, so let’s talk about how you can get it installed.

HOW TO INSTALL WIND POWER

There are several processes involved in the installation of wind power but don’t panic I will give you a step by step process to make your installation a success

  • The very first thing to do is foundation preparation and installation. The size of the turbine will determine whether you will use large or small machinery.
  • After carefully laying out your foundation, it is advised that you wait for at least a period of 2 weeks for it to properly set. But then, if it is a home-based installation, it is proper to strengthen the roof of your building so that it won’t be affected.
  • Once you are done with the installation, you go ahead and dig a trench. This trench is needed for electrical cables which run from the turbine to the control unit and inverter.
  • The next is to go on and erect your turbine. The size of the tower and the turbine determine the machinery to use for it. Big sizes require big machinery like a crane, while small size turbines require small machinery.
  • You can now go on and carry out the electrical wiring. This needs the service of an electrical engineer. You can always contact me anytime for proper guidance.
  • The wind turbines DC output will be connected to the control box and inverter, while your AC output will be connected directly to the property’s electrical supply and the electrical grid. Now for safety purposes, isolators can also be installed.
  • You can now go on and connect to the electricity grid. Ensure you get the necessary approval from the concerned bodies.
wind power installation process
wind power installation process

WIND POWER STATIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE

So many countries originally used wind mills for different reasons. Some used it to grind grains, others used it to propel boats. This was very much rampant in the Nile river as early as 500BC.

As at 200BC, China started using it to power water pumps. This continued until like 11th century when countries in the middle east started using wind mills and wind pumps to produce food.

The oil shortages that happened in countries like the US around 1970 was an eye-opener. People started using wind powers for other different means for generating electricity, and windmills was a very wonderful means. That opened the vast possibilities of using windmill to generate electricity in the US and the world at large. This was how we came to have so many different wind farms scattered around the globe.

There are many wind power farms, but I will give you some of the largest.
  • Jiuguan wind power base, China- This is believed to be the world’s biggest farm. It’s installed capacity is up to 20GW
  • Jaisalmer wind park India- This Jaisalmer wind park is the highest in India. It was developed by Suzim energy.
  • Alta wind energy center, US- They have an operative capacity of 1,548MW.
  • Mupandal windfarm India– This is the biggest onshore wind farm in India. They have 1500MW capacity.
  • Shepherd flat wind farm, US– This is the fifth biggest wind farm in the world. It is located near Arlington in Eastern Oregon US. It has 845MW capacity.
  • Roscoe wind farm US- It is located 45 miles southwest of Abilene, in Texas US. Roscoe wind farm is owned and operated by Germany based company E, ON climate and renewables.
  • Horse hollow wind energy center, Texas US– It is located in Taylor and Nolan County Texas US. It is operated by NextEra energy resources. It has a facility of 735.5MW
  • Capricorn Ridge wind farm, Texas US– This is an onshore wind farm owned and operated by NextEra energy resources. It is located in sterling and comes countries. It has a capacity of 662.5MW
  • Walney extension offshore wind Farm, UK- This is located in the Irish sea and has a total capacity of 695MW. The project is 50% owned and operated by Orsted, with the remaining half of the ownership shared equally between, Danish pension funds, PKA(25%) and PFA(25%)
  • London array offshore wind farm UK- this is located in the outer Thames Estuary more than 20km off the coasts of Kent’s and Essex. This is the largest offshore farm in the world, with its installed capacity as 630MW. It is generally ranked as the world’s sixth-largest windfarm.

For more detailed information about the various wind farms, check here

GLOBAL WIND POWER CAPACITY

The largest wind power market in the world is China, with a capacity of over 237 gigawatts of wind power installed.

China’s wind potential is remarkable due to a large landmass as well as a long coastline. At first, China set ambitious goals for adding offshore wind capacity, however, offshore development has progressed slower than expected as many domestic turbine manufacturers lack experience. To reach its offshore goals, China had to use foreign products.

Below is a graphical representation of the global usage of wind power over the years. The chart will show you that so many people are currently opting for wind power to make life less stressful for themselves unlike some decades ago.

wind power statistics
photo credit: wwindea

China is by far the largest installer of wind power capacity in the world, more than doubling the second-ranked United States. As of 2019, China had cumulatively installed over 237 gigawatts of wind energy, in comparison to 105.4 gigawatts of wind energy installed in the United States.

Worldwide, the cumulative capacity of installed wind energy reached 650.7 gigawatts in 2018, a generous increase over the last decades. The potential of wind energy around the world is immense, and wind power can often be accessed from remote places, as seen in the rise of offshore winds energy.

CONCLUSION

Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one that marvels at how the wind power system operates. If you have access to any wind farm around you, I will advise you to go and see the wonders. Wind power has helped and is still helping to save the electrical need of the world.

If you own a large company, I am sure you won’t hesitate to have a windmill installed in your company.

For small homeowners, there are actually small wind electrical systems that work for residential homes. You can seek the advice of professionals like NAIHCOTECH to get the installation process and details. Again if you are leaving in a country with an unstable electrical supply like Nigeria, you should be getting one installed right away.