Analysis of Development in Solar Greenhouses (Published)

The move towards a de-carbonised world, driven partly by climate science and partly by the business opportunities it offers, will need the promotion of environmentally friendly alternatives, if an acceptable stabilisation level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is to be achieved. This requires the harnessing and use of natural resources that produce no air pollution or greenhouse gases and provides comfortable coexistence of human, livestock, and plants. This study reviews the energy-using technologies based on natural resources, which are available to and applicable in the farming industry. Among these are greenhouses, which are necessary for the growth of some plants (i.e., vegetables, flowers, etc.) in severe climates. However, greenhouses require some air conditioning process to control their temperature and relative humidity to suit specific plants. To achieve this, a novel air humidifier and/or dehumidifier systems using mop fans had been designed and employed in an experimental greenhouse to evaluate its performance under a controlled environment. This device helped to reduce the energy consumption of the greenhouse whilst providing a pleasant environment for the plants inside the greenhouse. The system was designed taking into account the meteorological conditions, which affect the environment inside the greenhouse. The performance of the system was monitored over a period of time by measuring the temperature and relative humidity of the greenhouse. Results of the monitoring have shown that the system was able to provide comfortable conditions (temperatures of 16-26^oC and relative humidity of 65%) suitable for the plants grown in the experimental greenhouse. It also enabled the minimisation of temperature variation and, hence, avoided the hazard of any sudden climatic change inside the greenhouse.

Keywords: Solar Energy, Solar Radiation, global radiation, greenhouses

Assessment of Mtn Lumos Box Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Electricity Power Supply in Nigeria: Case Study of Mubi, Adamawa State North Eastern Nigeria (Published)

This research was carried out in Mubi, Adamawa State North Eastern Nigeria. Mubi lie within latitude 10 ⁰015^ꞌN and 10⁰ 025^ꞌN and longitude 13⁰ 015 ^ꞌE and 13⁰ 025 ^ꞌE. The research was aimed at accessing the MTN Lumos box solar energy as an alternative source of electricity power supply with the purpose of having another source of electric power supply in Nigeria, off the National grid and discourages the uses of electric power generator due to high cost of fueling and maintenance. The equipment’s were connected properly according to the manual specifications; the equipment’s includes the following: the solar panel, cable, MTN Lumos box, inverter 60W, LED bulbs and a Television LG 32 inch. The research was carried out in six days: 24^th August, 2021, 26^th August, 2021, 30^th August, 2021, 23^rd December,2021, 24^th December, 2021 and 28^th  December, 2021. These six days the MTN Lumos box battery was allowed to charge to 100% and 74% minimum. From the experiment and the result obtained, it was observed that the solar energy conversion system supply electricity power for three hours twenty minutes to the low power consumption house hold electric appliances uninterrupted, double panel MTN Lumos box electricity power supply should be used for further research.

Citation:Sunday Ayigun, Yassah H.N and Romanus I.O (2022) Assessment of Mtn Lumos Box Solar Energy as an Alternative Source of Electricity Power Supply in Nigeria: Case Study of Mubi, Adamawa State North Eastern Nigeria, International Journal of Energy and Environmental Research, Vol.10, No.1, pp., 14-23,

Keywords: MTN Lumos box, Solar Energy, Utilization, inverter, solar panel

Development of Renewable Energy Farm Produce Drying System using Solar collector (Published)

The renewable energy farm produce dryer is a system which will remove moisture from farm produce in the farm yard. This system will use solar collector to harness energy from the Sun and concentrate it on a drying chamber to remove moisture from the farm produce such as plantain, tomatoes and pepper. The farm dryer have two compartments system. Firstly, heat chamber. The heat chamber is made up of a solar glass collector, reflector foil and a rectangular wooden box. This chamber converts the Sun energy to heat energy. It is mounted at angle of 60^o to the drying chamber. Secondly, the drying chamber. The drying chamber comprises of a cuboids, tray and isolating material. This is the chamber where the farm produce is laid and removal of moisture takes place. The heat chamber has an opening at the junction of interface between the heat chamber and drying chamber. This opening allows the flow of heated air mass from the heat chamber into the drying chamber. This system will enable farmers to dry perishable farm produce in the farm yard and preserved farm produce which have off-season to consumers. This will help to reduce food shortage and hike in the cost of such food items.

Keywords: Solar Energy, closed system, heat energy, insulator, reflector, solar collector

Analytical Studies of Energy Efficiency Development of the Greenhouses (Published)

The move towards a de-carbonised world, driven partly by climate science and partly by the business opportunities it offers, will need the promotion of environmentally friendly alternatives, if an acceptable stabilisation level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is to be achieved. The use of natural resoucses that have not any air pollution or greenhouse gases and provides comfortable coexistence of human, livestock, and plants. The greenhouses require air conditioning process to control their temperature and relative humidity to suit specific plants. To achieve this goal, a novel air humidifier and/or dehumidifier systems using mop fans had been designed and employed in an experimental greenhouse to evaluate its performance under a controlled environment. The mop fan help to reduce the energy consumption of the greenhouse whilst providing a pleasant environment for the plants inside the greenhouse. The system was designed taking into account the meteorological conditions, which affect the environment inside the greenhouse. The performance of the system was monitored over a period of time by measuring the temperature and relative humidity of the greenhouse. Results of the monitoring have shown that the system was able to provide comfortable conditions (temperatures of 16-26^oC and relative humidity of 65%) suitable for the plants grown in the experimental greenhouse. This device enable to minimse the temperature variation and, hence, avoided the hazard of any sudden climatic change inside the greenhouse.

Keywords: Solar Energy, Solar Radiation, global radiation, greenhouses

Feasibility of Thermosyphon Solar Water Heating System Utilization in Beauty and Hairdressing Salons in Nigeria (Published)

Beauty and Hair Dressing Salon business in Nigeria relies heavily on electricity utilisation for water heating and production. But, electricity is erratic and epileptic and, not readily available. This means that alternative energy source must be sought for. In this study, the feasibility of providing needed electricity supply for hot water production with Thermosyphon Solar Water Heater (TSWHs) is presented. An experimental setup in which TSWH technology with 1.44m² flat plate solar collector was designed, fabricated and tested under weather conditions of Minna for three months. Data for the design and fabrication of the test system (quantity of hot water and temperature requirements) wer

Keywords: Beauty, Hairdressing Salon, Solar Energy, Thermosyphon, Utilization, Water Heating

Global Solar Radiation Measurement in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria Using Locally Made Pyranometer (Published)

Article Author: Nwankwo S.N and Nnabuchi M.N

This research work focused on the variability of global solar radiation over the area of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State (6o20’N, 8o06’E) located in South Eastern part of Nigeria for the rainy and dry seasons. The Pyranometer used for this measurement was locally developed and calibrated against a standard pyranometer, it competed favorably with the standard Einstrain Lungs Sensor. The global solar radiation was measured every five minutes from 08:00hours to 18:00hours during the dry season 2011 and rainy season in 2012. The measurements were carried out near the New Physics Laboratory Complex Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria. Maximum Irradiances of 1095.10Wm-2 and 689.48Wm-2 recorded in Abakaliki during dry and rainy seasons respectively occurred between 12:00 – 14:00hours local time, whereas the minimum values of 9.20Wm-2 and 9.86Wm-2 respectively are recorded during the sunrise and sunset. Partly cloudy conditions in Abakaliki cause conspicuous oscillations in global solar radiation. This can be attributed to multiple reflections by nearby cloudy layers. The seasonal difference in the observed global solar radiation was 405.62Wm-2. Therefore solar energy devices can operate continuously in Abakaliki for up to 10 hours in a solar day from 8:00hours to 18:00hours which was the period covered during this investigation.

Keywords: Irradiance, Measurement, Pyranometer, Solar Energy, Solar Radiation

INTEGRATED SOLAR GREEN HOUSE FOR WATER DESALINATION AND PLANTATION IN REMOTE ARID EGYPTIAN COMMUNITIES: MODELING AND ANALYSIS (Published)

Article Author: H. H. El-Ghetany, M. H. El-Awady

Solar desalination is considered as one of the promising renewable energy-powered technology for producing fresh water. The Seawater greenhouse (SWGH) system uses the solar desalination principle and works by saturating the air with moisture vaporizing from saline water inside a greenhouse and later dehumidifying, thus, causing freshwater condensation. The SWGH is a unique concept which combines natural processes, simple construction techniques to provide a low-cost solution to one of the world’s greatest needs-fresh water. It is a method of cultivation that provides desalination, cooling and humidification in an integrated system. Self-sufficiency in water production combined with low internal irrigation requirements mean that the SWGH offers significant water saving by reducing agricultural demand on main and groundwater. Its purpose is to provide a sustainable means of agriculture in arid coastal areas where the scarcity of freshwater and expense of desalination threaten the viability of agriculture.

Keywords: Analysis, Modeling, Solar Energy, arid communities, desalination, plantation

UTILIZATION OF SOLAR AND BIOMASS ENERGY- A PANACEA TO ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY (Published)

Article Author: P.A. Nwofe

This study presents the potentials of solar energy utilisation and other possible pathways that could enhance energy sustainability in a developing economy. Nigeria is a developing country, blessed with abundant natural resources (renewable and non- renewable). However the current energy mix in Nigeria is such that little attention is given to the renewable sources in terms of exploitation and use. Despite the on-going privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the current energy demand in Nigeria still far outweighs the supply which is also quite epileptic. The adoption of renewable energy options especially solar-thermal, solar photovoltaics, and biomass technology on a large scale will surely lead to reduced internal consumption of fossil fuel related products, and to boost increased energy availability and sustainability. This study critically examines the factors hindering solar and biomass energy utilisation in a developing economy. It then identifies the impact of unsustainable energy use in the economy and reviews related literature. It also highlights the need for Government to give urgent attention to tapping of the vast renewable resources in the country for increased energy generation and sustainability.

Keywords: Developing Economy, Energy Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Utilisation.