Energy
Coconut Wastes as Bioresource for Sustainable Energy: Quantifying Wastes, Calorific Values and Emissions in Ghana
Coconut husks with the shells attached are potential bioenergy resources for fuel-constrained communities in Ghana. In spite of their energy potential, coconut husks and shells are thrown away or burned raw resulting in poor sanitation and environmental pollution. This study focuses on quantifying the waste proportions, calorific values and pollutant emissions from the burning of raw uncharred and charred coconut wastes in Ghana.
Towards zero vehicle emissions in Africa: A case study of Ghana
This paper reviews vehicle standards in Ghana and other parts of Africa. The paper also considers the cost of ownership of electric vehicles in Ghana. Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius are compared to Toyota Corolla. The parameters considered are initial cost, maintenance cost (spare parts and labour), fuel cost, and availability of skilled labour. Considering Ghana's energy mix, a conventional vehicle will emit 3.35 times more CO2 emissions compared with an electric vehicle.
Integrated system efficiency in reducing redundancy and promoting residential renewable energy in countries without net-metering: A case study of a SHS in Ghana
One of the key factors affecting progress of renewable energy (RE) in the residential sector in Africa is the unavailability of net-metering systems in many of its member-state countries. Huge battery storage would have to be put in place by individual households owning solar home systems (SHS) to store energy for early morning and night-time use, making the systems not cost-competitive. In this study, a new concept based on “integrated system efficiency (ISE)” has been developed to maximize direct use of electricity from SHS without net-metering.
Energy efficiency and cost saving opportunities in public and commercial buildings in developing countries : The case of air-conditioners in Ghana
Available data and market surveys conducted in Ghana have shown that 60e80% of electricity consumed in offices of public and commercial buildings is used to run air-conditioners to provide indoor thermal comfort for productive office work. Electricity consumptions of these air-conditioners are relatively high and are in the range of 3000e5400 kWh/yr per air-conditioner depending on the brand and the cooling capacity. Low energy efficiency rating of the air-conditioners is a major contributing factor to their high electricity consumption.
Mechanical Engineering Spearheads Innovative Research in Energy Efficiency and Renewables in Buildings
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, for the past several years has been conducting research in energy including renewable energy.