ENERGY-AGRO-FOOD INTENSIVE SCHOOL

ENERGY_AGRO-FOOD
Energy_Agro-food Synergies in
Africa:
New Models for African Universities

Bioenergy Production and

Management

Eng. Prof. Ayub N. Gitau

University of Nairobi

Thursday, 27 August
2015

Renewable Energy
comes from
resources
which
are
naturally
replenished
Examples : Solar (PV and Thermal)
energy, Wind energy, Hydro power,
Geothermal, Tidal & Biogas.
Renewable Energy Technologies - which
helps in harnessing energy from
sources
which
are
capable
of
replenishing themselves.

 There

are three primary technologies to

harness solar energy;

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels - directly

convert light to electricity

Solar
photovoltaic
panel

Uses heat from the sun (thermal energy) to drive

utility-scale, electric turbines

Collect thermal energy to provide

hot water and air conditioning

Wind
turbines are
used to
harness
wind energy

Heat energy stored in the ground

Bioenergy Renewable energy

derived from biomass either for
heating, power generation or
transport purposes
Biomass - Biological material
derived from living, or recently
living organisms. It most often
refers to plants or plant-based
materials.

Biomass sources include;

Short rotation forestry

Energy crops e.g. oil crops, rape seed,
sunflower
Wood wastes i.e. forest residues, wood
processing waste, construction residues
Agricultural residues & waste i.e. straw &
animal manure
Sewage sludge
Industrial residues e.g. from food
industry e.g. sugar industry

Types of bioenergy include;

Biogas
Liquid biofuels
Wood energy

Grouped into two major categories;

i. Thermochemical &
ii. Biochemical (aerobic).

Commonly used Biochemical process

(fermentation)
Three main types of
technologies;
Floating drum,
Fixed dome &
Tubular reactors

Tubular Reactor

Floating Drum

Renewable Energy
Technology
Solar Energy

Wind Energy

Hydropower

Merits

Demerits

Clean and renewable energy

source
Once installed, can be produced
free of charge
Low maintenance costs
No pollution
Clean
Sustainable
Cost effective
Great resource to generate energy
in remote locations

High investment cost

Weather dependent
Uses a lot of space

Clean fuel source

Available as needed

Turbines may cause noise and

aesthetic pollution
Possibilities of accidents from
turbine blades
Unreliable
High investment cost
Impacts on water quality &
flow
Can be impacted by drought
Limits movement of aquatic
life

Renewable Energy
Technology
Geothermal Energy

Bioenergy

Merits

Demerits

Non-polluting & environmental

friendly
No wastage or generation of byproducts
Can be used direct
Low maintenance costs
Not dependent on weather
Emits little or no net greenhouse gas
emissions
Useful way of managing waste
disposal
Has well-established technology
thats able to deliver reliable energy
Is plentiful wherever there are
agricultural crops and forestry
can help to stabilize soils, improve
soil fertility and reduce erosion
Can generate both heat and electricity
in a cogeneration power plant

Only few sites have the

potential of Geothermal
Energy
Danger of volcano eruption
High investment cost
May release some harmful &
poisonous gas
More expensive energy

Thank
you!
Asante.
Thursday, 27 August 2015

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