Uninterruptible electrical power is possible in Nigeria. An economically sustainable architecture, which will result in a more intelligent transmission and distribution system, and collaterally energize other sectors, is achievable.

The Solution

Power generation must be distributed, the country’s abundant renewable energy resources must be tapped and the power infrastructure must be integrated with a smart micro-grid network. The private sector must be a stakeholder. Trained workforce, within the local communities, must be involved in the installation, operation and maintenance of the power plants.

1.     Multiple Energy Sources

Nigeria’s energy resources include 5 trillion cubic metres of natural gas, 37 billion barrels of petroleum and an almost limitless supply of renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, municipal waste, geothermal, tidal/ocean waves etc). Technologies for converting renewable energy sources into usable electricity are mature, available and affordable. A prudent solution to the power problem will maximize the use of the renewable energy resources while deriving huge economic benefits from industrial processes that will convert the nation’s fossil fuel reserves to finished goods.

Nigeria’s Clean Energy Resources

• Solar: Solar as a renewable energy resource is ubiquitous across all communities in Nigeria. If one percent of Nigeria’s land area could be harvested for solar power we would generate 1,400,000MW (or 1,400GW) of electrical power using current off-the-shelf photovoltaic technologies.
• Wind: Power from wind can be harvested at strategic locations in the country. The Atlantic Ocean, forming the entire southern boundary of the country, provides an excellent opportunity for siting modern off-shore wind turbines. Other rich wind harvesting spots have been highlighted in a number of investigative reports. According to NESP[1]: The highest wind speeds can be expected in the Sokoto region, the Jos Plateau, Gembu and Kano / Funtua. The stations at Maiduguri, Lagos and Enugu also indicated relatively strong wind speeds, sufficient for energy generation by wind farms. Apart from these sites, other promising regions with usable wind potential are located on the Nigeria western shoreline (Lagos Region) and partly on the Mambila Plateau. The calculations indicate the highest energy yield at the coastal area of Lagos, followed by the Sokoto area and the Jos Plateau.
• Bio-Mass/Waste: An enormous amount of biomass/waste is produced in Nigeria daily. One metric ton (MT) of municipal waste has the energy equivalence of a barrel of petroleum. Lagos, for example, generates 12,000MT of waste every day.
• Hydro: The nation’s exploitable hydropower exceeds 11,000MW. A report[2] by the Energy Commission of Nigeria states: Nigeria has considerable hydro potential sources exemplified by her large rivers, small rivers and stream and the various river basin being developed. Nigerian rivers distributed all over the country with potential sites for hydropower scheme which can serve the urban, rural and isolated communities.

2.     Distributed Power Generation

Multi-source power plants should be installed in all communities and close to where the electricity will be utilized. Each plant will be designed to use fuel resources that are available in the community. This strategy resolves fuel transportation challenges and removes the single-point-of-failure malady that has troubled the nation’s power infrastructure.

3.     Smart Micro Grid Network

Each distributed power plant will be a node in an interconnected mesh of other power units. The combined units will serve in meeting the power requirements of each community. Transmission/distribution power losses are minimized. The entire network, distributed generators tied to micro-grids, will form a robust, efficient, and easy to maintain power system for the country.

4.     Community Energy Storage

Energy storage appliances will be installed within the micro-grid network. Excess energy generated from the multiple sources during periods of low-demand will be stored for use in peak-demand periods.

5.     Private Sector Participation

The involvement of the private sector is essential. Hundreds of community power companies should be established as advocated in abulecentrism[3]. These small and medium enterprises will train and employ workers drawn largely from the local community. Widely distributed smart meters will ensure ready payment to service providers.

Commitment to Capacity Development

A well trained workforce is required to design, build, install, operate and maintain the new power system. The new architecture needs workers with solid foundation in all facets of engineering, sciences and commerce. Workers must be versed in energy fundamentals, electronics, energy storage, transmission/distribution network, structures, information and communications systems, administration, finance, accounting, sales, marketing, etc. These capabilities must be developed and available across the board in all localities.

Final Word

Nigeria’s power problem is solvable, using current state-of-the-art technologies. People who are serious about solving the power problem agree that the solution will simultaneously resolve myriads of other socio-economic challenges faced by the country.  Distributed generation, with smart micro-grid power networks and community based energy storage, must be the order of the day.

The incoming administration must adhere to the commitment made to Nigerians during the recently concluded presidential campaigns to: Emphasize alternative sources of power such as small, medium and large hydro plants (Mambilla has capacity for 4,700 megawatts), wind, coal and solar. Efforts will be geared towards smaller and potable power supply. Start an accelerated training of human resources for the power sector. [4]  A wise use of alternative energy sources will protect and conserve the nation’s abundant petroleum and natural gas resources.

Olurinde Lafe,Director, Centre for Renewable Energy Technology, and  Professor, School of Engineering & Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure