JEES ISSN: 1897-8680

JEES 2023

VOLUME 16 ISSUE NO 1

PAGE 93 - 101

AN APPRAISAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES AS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION

TO POWER SUPPLY INADEQUACIES IN ADO-EKITI, NIGERIA
*,1Yusuf, B. M., 2Adeoye, O. S., & 3Ademiloye, I. B.
1,2, &3
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
Corresponding author: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
The development of the society and the grid cannot be achieved unless there is an immense impact on the electricity
generation, distribution, and utilization of electrical energy by the citizenry. The changes that can positively have
an impact on the grid and society are changes in production; utilization changes and the changes in the grid, this
is being centered upon as a function of the sufficiency of its electricity supply of the distribution companies and the
effective distribution of reliable, adequate, and economically priced power to the end-users. More than three-
quarters of power generation in Nigeria comes from non-renewable (coal, fossil fuel) energy sources which is
epileptic and has several risks associated with their use. The increase in greenhouse gases, global warming, and
climatic change associated with it, represent one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time and the
greatest social dangers in the future. Non-renewable sources are gradually depleting and therefore, the need to
harness clean, reliable, and environmentally friendly renewable energy sources that abound in Nigeria for the
generation of power for socio-economic development. This paper reviews renewable energy that abounds in Ado-
Ekiti which can be accessed for energy security. The future trend of this research should include a collection of
renewable data and assessment as well as power generation with the view of injecting it into the grid.

KEYWORDS: Electricity; Economy; Energy; Power; Grid, Renewable; Development

Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital is also being affected
INTRODUCTION by this ugly trend of epileptic power supply. Ekiti
In Nigeria today, electricity is becoming an is an agrarian State located in the eastern part of
increasingly essential commodity, and constant southwestern Nigeria, a typical rainforest belt
power supply is hardly ever enjoyed in the (Adeoye et al., 2014). The State is bounded in the
country. Recent studies show that only 40% of north by Kogi and Kwara; to the south and east by
Nigeria’s population of over 200 million have Ondo while in the west, it is bounded by Osun
access to electricity. The lack of reliable grid State. The State is located within the tropics
power means that most Nigerians have to resort to between latitudes 70 151 to 80 51 north of the
other measures of generating electricity, the most equator and longitudes 40 451 to 50 451 east of
common of which is the use of fossil fuel (Adeoye the prime meridian, the state capital’s power grid
et al., 2014). Due to the high cost of fuel and is mentioned in the latitudes and longitudes with
maintenance which is too expensive to be used in 16 local government areas of a land mass of
residences, offices, and health facilities, they have 5887.89km2 as it is being shown in Fig 2 and 3
to operate without electrical power (Sygnite, respectively. Ado-Ekiti, town, capital of Ekiti
2020). The demand for energy in Nigeria exceeds state, southwestern Nigeria. It lies in the Yoruba
the supply, which is epileptic at times due to a lack Hills, at the intersection of roads from
of generating and transmitting capacity, Ado- Akure, Ilawe Ekiti, Ilesha, Ila-Orangun, and

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Ikare, and is situated 92 miles (148 km) east of poverty in Ado-Ekiti metropolis according to
Ibadan. The current metro area population of Yusuf et al (2022).
Ado-Ekiti in 2023 is 536,000, a 3.88% increase LITERATURE REVIEW
from 2022. The metro area population of Ado- Renewable energy sources
Ekiti in 2022 was 516,000, a 3.82% increase from Renewable energy is energy that is the energy of
2021. The metro area population of Ado-Ekiti in nature which is constantly renewed. This
2021 was 497,000, a 3.54% increase from 2020. comprises solar energy, geothermal energy, heat,
Nigeria has abundant oil, gas, hydro, and solar wind, tides, and water. The most important aspect
resources which can generate over 20 megawatts of renewable energy is its unlimited nature and
(MW) of electric power from existing plants, of abundant availability. Renewable energy sources
which 10,142 MW is thermal and 2,380 MW is are clean energy sources that are more
hydro, but on most days, it can only generate environmentally friendly than traditional fossil
around 5,000 MW, which is insufficient for the energy technologies (Uchegbulum et al., 2014).
country's over 200 million people. Nigeria's The majority of renewable energy expenditures
hydroelectric and thermal-producing units are go into materials and staff to create and operate
unable to create enough electricity to meet the the facilities, rather than expensive energy
country's household, commercial, and industrial imports. People are becoming more conscious of
demands (Ibitoye et al., 2007). While the disadvantages of using fossil fuels, therefore
hydroelectric power is largely recognized as renewable energy is the energy necessity of the
ecologically favorable, fossil fuel and nuclear day. Solar energy, hydropower, wind energy,
power have related environmental limits. This is biomass, and biogas are examples of recognized
due to the negative consequences of their by- renewable energy (RE) and are fully explored in
products. (Omole et al., 2014). If the numerous the course of the study under review.
renewable resources that abound in Nigeria can be Biomass
fully harnessed, the electrical power to meet the Biomass is a biological matter that comes from
demands of our rising population and economy recently extinct or active creatures. It often refers
will not be a source of concern. Exploiting and to plants or products derived from plants that are
using renewable energy (RE) sources would not referred to as lingo-cellulosic biomass. Biomass
only assist Nigeria in meeting its energy demands may be utilized as an energy source directly by
but also ensure environmentally friendly energy being burned to create heat or indirectly by being
availability. According to (Awogbemi et al. transformed into different types of biofuel. There
2015), there is an unbreakable link between are many ways to convert biomass into biofuel,
energy availability and sustainable development, which may be genetically categorized as thermal,
as well as the problems associated with the chemical, and biological techniques. Wood is
exploitation and utilization of non-renewable currently the most popular biomass energy
energy sources, and that Nigeria's quest for energy source. Examples given by Fagbohun & Adebanji
sufficiency will be a mirage if REs are not given (2014) include forest leftovers (such as dead trees,
their rightful place in the country's energy mix, branches, and tree stumps), garden clippings,
and that REs are the only solution out of power wood chips, and even city solid waste. Industrial
biomass can be produced from miscanthus,

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switchgrass, hemp, maize, poplar, willow, areas without a national energy distribution
sorghum, sugarcane, bamboo, and various tree network or in distant areas where it would be
species, including eucalyptus and oil palm (palm unprofitable to supply electricity via a network.
oil). It is possible to transform biomass into other Since small hydro projects often involve fewer
useful energy sources, including methane reservoirs and civil construction projects than
gasoline or automobile fuels like ethanol and large hydro projects, they are believed to have a
biodiesel (Nwuhu et al., 2011). Methane gas, also reduced environmental impact. Small hydro is
referred to as "landfill gas" or "biogas," is released frequently created by utilizing already-built dams
by decomposing waste materials, including food or by constructing new dams whose primary use
scraps, animal and human waste, and trash. Crops is irrigation or river and lake level control. Due to
like maize and sugar cane can be fermented to the limited environmental and licensing
produce ethanol, a fuel for vehicles. Biodiesel, a requirements, the equipment's standardization and
fuel alternative generated from leftover food such simplification, the small scale of the civil works
as vegetable and animal fats, is another form of construction, and the typical serial manufacturing
transportation fuel. Different types of biomass are of small hydro projects, small hydro projects may
used in each region to create energy. Direct often be produced extremely quickly. Since the
burning is the most widely used technique for equipment is physically tiny, it is simpler to carry
getting energy from biomass for the generation of it to distant locations without reliable road or rail
both heat and power, according to (Fagbohun and connectivity.
Adebanji 2014). Anaerobic fermentation of Solar energy
agricultural, animal, and human waste to produce The use of photovoltaic (PV) or concentrated
biogas for a variety of uses is another application solar power (CSP) to directly or indirectly convert
area that has been recognized. sunlight into electricity is known as solar energy.
Hydropower (Large and Small Scale) A vast swath of sunlight is focused into a small
Water movement that generates energy that may beam by concentrating solar power systems using
be captured and transformed into power is known lenses, mirrors, and tracking technology.
as hydropower or hydroelectric power. According According to Fagbohun and Adebanji (2014),
to Fagbohun and Adebanji (2014), this is referred photovoltaics use the photovoltaic effect to
to as a clean, environmentally friendly method of convert light into electric current. Small and
producing electricity. Miniature hydropower: medium-sized applications, ranging from an off-
Small hydro is the small-scale production of the-grid home powered by a photovoltaic array to
hydroelectricity for a single industrial unit or a calculator powered by a single solar cell, have
small town. Although the term "small hydro been and still are powered by photovoltaic
project" has several distinct definitions, it is technology (Lawal et al., 2020). Direct sunlight is
usually accepted that anything with a production utilized to warm the working fluid in each of these
capacity of up to 10 megawatts (MW) qualifies. systems before it is used to produce electricity or
Small hydro plants can be connected to current store energy. Power generation is possible for up
electrical distribution networks to provide low- to 24 hours with efficient thermal storage. Solar
cost renewable energy (Fagbohun & Adebanji, photovoltaic technology was one of the first
2014). Small hydro projects may also be built in renewable energy technologies to be adopted

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globally for supplying electricity for basic needs, during heavy gusts. On the other side, a large
especially in remote locations. Due to their generator would cost more, provide less
continuous use in space, current cost, and electricity, and, depending on the type, stall out at
performance, PV technologies will be appropriate low wind speeds. Small-scale wind power
for a variety of grid-isolated and even grid-linked systems are defined as those that can produce up
applications in both developed and developing to 50 kW of electrical power from the wind. In
regions of the world. From the above Table 3, it is distant areas, wind turbines could take the place
seen that solar energy stands out as the most of diesel generators. For financial or
utilized energy source with 15MW, which tells environmental reasons, people may purchase
how efficient solar energy is a blessing for Nigeria these systems to reduce or eliminate their
as a nation and its citizens. Both direct current dependency on the electricity grid.
(DC) and alternating current (AC) forms of solar Geothermal energy
photovoltaic energy are employed for a variety of Geothermal energy is thermal energy produced
tasks, including powering electrical appliances. and retained by the Earth. The energy that affects
One of the most promising renewable energy the temperature of matter is known as thermal
sources in the world is photovoltaic solar energy. According to Fagbohun and Adebanji
electricity. Since solar energy is generated for (2014), the Earth's crust derives 80% of its
free, has no moving parts to break down, requires geothermal energy from the radioactive decay of
little maintenance, and minimizes losses, it has minerals and 20% from the planet's initial genesis.
many advantages over non-renewable sources The continuous movement of thermal energy in
like coal, nuclear gas, and oil. It is also a non- the form of heat from the planet's core to the
polluting energy, which lowers emissions because surface is caused by the geothermal gradient,
it has no negative effects on the environment. which is defined as the temperature difference
Wind energy between the planet's core and its surface.
According to Fagbohun and Adebanji (2014), the According to Fagbohun and Adebanji (2014), the
definition of wind power is the conversion of internal heat of the Earth is thermal energy
wind energy into a form of useful energy, such as produced by radioactive decay and continuing
using wind turbines to produce electricity, heat loss from Earth's creation. Temperatures near
windmills to provide mechanical power, wind the core-mantle interface may be higher than 4000
pumps to pump or drain water, or sails to propel °C (7,200 °F). Because of the tremendous
ships. Even though there is a lot of variation temperature and pressure in the Earth's center,
across shorter periods, wind power is very some rock melts and the solid mantle behaves
consistent from year to year. Contrary to fuel- plastically, causing segments of the mantle to
based producing facilities, the capacity factor is convert upward since it is lighter than the
affected by some variables, including the site's surrounding rock. In the crust, rock and water are
local wind variability and the size of the generator heated to temperatures of up to 370 °C (700 °F).
relative to the turbine's swept area (Fagbohun & MATERIALS AND METHOD
Adebanji, 2014). A small generator would be less Several journals, local and worldwide conference
expensive and have a higher capacity factor, but it papers, and other relevant web resources were
would produce less energy (and hence less profit) utilized to gather renewable energy access,

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consumption, and future forecasts for renewable Sokoto, 93.91 kWh/year, 49.78 kWh/year, 49.98
energy evaluation in Nigeria. kWh/year, and 101.10 kWh/year in Enugu,
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri,
Renewable energy trend in Nigeria respectively, according to estimations by
Solar energy Awogbemi et al. (2015) and Mohamed & Petinrin
According to Awogbemi et al. (2015), the sun (2014).
emits about 3.8 x 1023 kW of energy per second, Biogas
or 1.082 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe) Even though biogas is not currently a component
every day. Nigeria has a yearly incident solar of Nigeria's energy mix, researchers have found
energy of 1.8044.851 1012 kWh based on a commercially viable feedstock such as manure,
geographical area of 924 x 103 km 2 and the water hyacinth, cassava peels, rice husk, water
global average. Nigeria's geographic location lettuce, sawdust, banana peels, sewage, wood
ensures that sun radiation is distributed equally shavings, and more (Awogbemi et al., 2015).
throughout the country, as shown in Figure 1. Approximately 227,500 tonnes of new animal
Every day, the sun shines for 5.5 hours on waste will be produced daily in Nigeria, and each
average. The country's annual solar energy value capital will generate 20 kilograms of urban solid
exceeds 115,000 times the quantity of power waste each year. 1 kg of fresh animal dung can
produced and is almost 27 times greater than its yield 0.03 m3 of biogas, or 6.8 million m3 of
whole fossil fuel supply. This means that just biogas, per day in Nigeria.
3.7% of Nigeria's land area is required for solar Hydroelectric energy
energy to be captured to match the nation's Nigeria now only possesses about 20,000 MW of
traditional energy sources. Yusuf et al. (2022) and technically exploitable hydropower out of a
Awogbemi et al. (2015). potential 30,000 MW (Awogbemi et al., 2015).
Biomass Small hydropower (SHP) in Nigeria has a
The estimated 8 x 102 MJ of biomass resources in potential capacity of 3,500 MW at about 277 sites
Nigeria (including fuel wood, agricultural waste, scattered throughout 12 states and four river basin
sawdust, and municipal solid waste) can be used authorities, with just 30 MW currently being
as fuel, fermented into biogas, or turned into utilized, according to (Awogbemi et al., 2015;
paper. According to Awogbemi et al. (2015), Mohamed & Petinrin, 2014).
Nigeria utilizes 80 million m3 of fuel wood Renewable energy master plans in Nigeria
annually for cooking and other household uses. The government established Nigeria's Renewable
This fuel wood has a 6 × 109 MJ energy content. Energy Master Plan (REMP) in 2009 which offers
Wind energy the efficient RE implementation of Nigeria's goal
Wind speeds in northernmost Nigeria range from of attaining sustainable energy developmental
4.0 to 5.12 m/s, whereas they are between 1.4 and objectives via this pathway, as seen in
3.0 m/s in southern Nigeria. According to (Awogbemi et al, 2015). By 2025, renewable
information currently available, 22 locations energy will produce 18% of all electricity. 20% of
distributed across seventeen states in Nigeria have the power generated in 2030 will come from
the potential to generate 1680.50 kWh of wind renewable sources. 100 MW of small hydro
energy each year at a height of 25 meters. A wind capacity by 2015 and 760 MW by 2025; 300 MW
turbine might produce up to 197.68 kWh/year in of solar PV capacity by 2015 and 400 MW by
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2025; 40 MW of wind capacity by 2025; and 5 iii.Gathering renewable data from the
MW of biomass-fired capacity by 2015. 300 MW Nigeria Metrological Agency for use in
of solar PV capacity by 2015, expanding to 400 complicated regression and computational
MW by 2025; 40 MW of wind capacity by 2025; intelligence.
and 5 MW of biomass-fired capacity by 2015, iv. Using statistical analysis to assess variable
rising to 30 MW by 2025. Table 2 shows that different renewable energy sources
these aims are excessively low in Nigeria as REFERENCES
compared to other African nations in terms of Adeoye, O.S., & Titiloye, S. O. (2014). Erratic power
supply and socio-economic development in Ado-
clear government objectivity. Ekiti Nigeria. The International Journal of
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Engineering and Science, 3(6), 57-60.
The only solution to the global power supply Awogbemi, O., & Komolafe, C. A. (2015). A survey of
solar energy utilization for sustainable
dilemma in Ado-Ekiti and all of Nigeria is development in Nigeria. Journal of
renewable energy. In addition to halting our (Ado- Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and
Technology, 2(7), 1717 - 1724
Ekiti and Nigeria as a whole) epileptic power Awogbemi, O., & Ojo, A. O. (2012). Small hydropower for
supply and reducing the negative environmental rural electrification in Nigeria. American Journal
effects associated with non-renewable energy of Science and Engineering, 1(2), 27 - 32.
Fagbohun, O.O., & Adebanji, B. (2014). Integrated
sources like coal, oil, and natural gas, the choice renewable energy sources for decentralized
of renewable energy sources is meant to advance systems in developing countries. Journal of
the economic growth and development of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 9(5), 26 -
35.
nation. Choosing a renewable energy source will Ibitoye, F. I., & Adenikinju, A. (2007). Future demand for
not only result in long-term costs but will also electricity in Nigeria. Journal of Applied Energy,
84, 492-504.
help preserve the environment from the threats of Lawal, O. A., Oba, M. Z., & Kabiru, L. (2020). Analysis of
fossil fuel pollution. The National Grid will environmental effects of the major stand-alone
always receive additional electricity produced in power generators used in Nigeria and sub-Africa.
ATBU Journal of Environmental Technology,
other parts of the country for use in Ado-Ekiti and 13(2),14-27.
other parts of the country, thus this can be done by Mohamed, S., & Petinrin, J. O. (2014). Renewable energy
utilizing our RE differential. Additionally, potentials in Nigeria: Meeting rural energy needs.
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 4(4),
electrical companies should gradually switch to 182 - 188.
using renewable resources, which are plentiful Nwulu, N. I., & Agboola, P. (2011). Utilizing renewable
energy resources to solve Nigeria’s electricity
and will never run out, while the government generation problems. International Journal of
should play a significant role and there should be Thermal and Environmental Engineering, 3(1), 15
a sound policy in place. The following - 20.
Omole, D. O., & Ndambuki, J. M.(2014). Sustainable living
suggestions would help Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, in Africa: Case of water, sanitation, air pollution &
and other parts of the world have more reliable energy. Sustainability, 6, 5187 - 5202.
Sygnite (2020). Power solution to outages in Nigeria.
and enough power supplies.
www.sygnite.com
i. The use of contemporary technology Uchegbulum, O., Opeh, R. N., & Atenaga, M. O. (2014).
methods to add electricity generation to Assessment of power generation resources in
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both the local and the national grids. Yusuf, Y., Folayan, G. B., & Oloniyo, O.(2022): Renewable
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15(1), 110 - 118.

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Table 1: Renewable Energy Resources and Estimated Reserves in Nigeria.

S/N Renewable Energy Sources Estimated Power supply
1 Hydropower(Large/Small Scale) 14,750 MW
2 Solar Radiation 3.5 - 7.0 kWh/m2/day
3 Wind 2 - 4 m/s at 10 m height
4 Biomass 144 million tons/year
5 Wave and Tidal Energy 150,000 TJ/year
Source: Nwulu 2011
Table 2: RE targets in Africa.
Country RE targets Target year
Cameroon 50% /80% 2015/2020
Cape Verde 50% 2020
Ghana 10% 2020
Madagascar 75% 2020
Mauritius 65% 2028
Niger 10% 2020
Nigeria 7% 2025
Rwanda 90% 2012
Source: (Awogbemi, 2015)
Table 3: Energy source consumption as of 2017

Source: Zarma, (2017)

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Figure 1: Solar radiation map of Nigeria.

Figure 2: Map of Nigeria, Ekiti-State and Ado-Ekiti

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Figure 3: Administrative map of Ado-Ekiti with the road network.

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