Climate change has had perhaps the most adverse effect on African rural communities where we witn... more Climate change has had perhaps the most adverse effect on African rural communities where we witness persistent droughts and erratic rain patterns. Peasants often have to walk many kilometres to fetch water of a suspect quality. In these circumstances underground water supplies provide the best hope for them. Often, however, water tables may have receded to such an extent that wells are not a practical proposition. Besides, water is needed not just for domestic use such as food preparation and cleaning, but also for livestock and watering of small gardens. In this paper we present methodology for sizing and designing a photovoltaic pumping system based on components available in Southern Africa. We also show that solar pumping technology has gone past the experimental and prototype stage. Further we strongly put forward the proposition that the technology has clearly matured and in terms of cost, is fast approaching that of choice over other technologies relying on the grid. Current...
Constant power supply is the hallmark of a devel-oped economy. Any nation whose energy need is ep... more Constant power supply is the hallmark of a devel-oped economy. Any nation whose energy need is epileptic in supply, prolongs her development and risks losing potential investors. Nigeria, a country of over 120 million people, has for the past 33 years of establishment of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) agency empowered with the elec-tricity generation, transmission and distribution, wit-nessed frequent and persistent outages. Presently, the federal government has embarked on power sector reforms with the intention of improving the above unpalatable scenario and in turn reduce the scope of monopoly control of the nation’s power industry. This paper therefore looks at the overall power sector reforms as well as evaluates the opportunities and challenges there from; while advocating introduction of a demand side manage-ment (DSM) program by Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) as a way of reducing energy con-sumption among customers with emphasis on ener-gy conservation...
American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 2015
Multiphase Induction machine offers numerous advantages compared to the conventional three phase ... more Multiphase Induction machine offers numerous advantages compared to the conventional three phase induction machine. Among the different types, the six-phase induction machine is most common, due to the flexibility in converting a three phase to six phase. By splitting the phase belt of a three phase induction machine, a six-phase induction machine is realized. The areas of application of multiphase (>3) machines are enormous, mostly where reliability is paramount. This paper presents the analysis, modeling and simulation of a 5Hp, 50HZ, 4 pole, 24 slots asymmetrical six-phase induction machine for submarine application. With the help of MATLAB software, the models developed are simulated and results in the form of computer traces of the dynamic performance of the machine at start-up are presented and discussed. This investigation shows that the replacement of three phase with a six phase machine is both technically and economically advantageous.
Southern Africa is endowed with abundant solar energy resources, photovoltaics (PV) being one of ... more Southern Africa is endowed with abundant solar energy resources, photovoltaics (PV) being one of the popular sources, as one can convert sunlight to electricity directly. However, for one to be able to implement PV technology successfully, it is necessary to produce electrical output which is compatible with the appliances that are used by a normal domestic consumer such as television. This means that the direct current that is produced by Photovoltaic Arrays must be converted to alternating current of the right quality and magnitude. The question of cost is also important since most potential users have low incomes. This paper describes an inverter designed as part of a student project. The inverter is particularly suitable for use in those rural areas where there is still no electricity supply from the an Electricity Utility. Hardware controlled inverters are bulky and consume a lot of power. This reduces their output efficiency. They are also very expensive. There was thus a need...
2013 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT), 2013
The rapid introduction of computer and network technology in the area of power systems generally ... more The rapid introduction of computer and network technology in the area of power systems generally and substations in particular is being embraced by many utilities, especially in the most developed countries. The technology itself is not new. It is vigor, the aggressive marketing, the pace accompanying the technology, however that requires all level minded persons to pause to examine the wider implications of these developments. The most far-reaching of impact of this technology will be on those utilities and countries with limited capabilities in the information communications and technology sector (ICT). Since this surge towards automation is considered irreversible, it is incumbent upon educational institutions to undertake an urgent review is paper describes what substation and smart-grid achieve and examines the attendant opportunities and threats. given in this document.
2013 IEEE 5th Conference on Engineering Education (ICEED), 2013
ABSTRACT Engineering Topics in Universities have expanded astronomically in recent years resultin... more ABSTRACT Engineering Topics in Universities have expanded astronomically in recent years resulting in congested curricula and concomitant pressure on students who opt to enroll in the various disciplines, which are also expanding. It is not a surprise therefore that Engineering Students spend more study hours than their colleagues in pursuing, for example, programmes in the social sciences. Under such pressures, many students fail to cope and overall pass rates are low. In this paper, the authors will present the results of a combination of interventions he has incorporated in his classes for study areas that include Engineering Design, Capstone Projects as well the delivery of individual course modules. Through a combination of the measures incorporated, the authors has observed a revived interest in engineering and improved performance. Among the techniques applied to more depth are, Creative Thinking, espoused in Edward de Bono's "Six Thinking Hats", Start Pugh's "Total Design" and a more in-depth implementation of a student's "Learning Portfolio". Through this combination of measures, the authors has achieved not only higher pass rates but also higher passing grades. More recently the authors devised an alternative to laboratory work in which students would as part of a group work on the construction a "Training Board" based on a industry type "script". In this manner, the students would not only have to face the challenge of engineering language, but would learn the dynamics of engineering, e.g. budgeting, purchasing, component sizing, project management and documentation.
Zimbabwe still relies on hydro and coal for its power generation. This paper looks at the potenti... more Zimbabwe still relies on hydro and coal for its power generation. This paper looks at the potential of grid connected photovoltaic arrays for complementing power generation in Zimbabwe. Monthly radiation data for twenty nine locations in Zimbabwe has been collected using National Aeronautics and Space administration (NASA) and ground measurements done by other researchers in the past. An hourly load
IET Conference on Renewable Power Generation (RPG 2011), 2011
In this paper, a dynamic model of solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a power rating of 30 kW has... more In this paper, a dynamic model of solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a power rating of 30 kW has been presented and implemented in PSCAD software. The SOFC system comprises a fuel cell (FC) stack and power conditioner, which comprises of a dc-dc boost converter and dc-ac inverter. The system also incorporates a Pi-controller to maintain output voltage of dc-dc boost converter at a desired level when there is a change in FC output voltage due to change in current supplied by it. Pulse width modulation (PWM) switching technique has been utilized for boost converter and inverter operation. The model has been tested for stand-alone and grid-connected operation and its load following performances. The model has also been tested under fault conditions on the grid-side. The simulation results obtained has been presented with analysis. (7 pages)
2013 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT), 2013
Ligthning phenomenon is a common occurrence in Southern Africa, particularly during the summer an... more Ligthning phenomenon is a common occurrence in Southern Africa, particularly during the summer and rainy season. Cloud-to-ground lightning is a common natural atmospheric hazard in Zimbabwe. Despite, Zimbabwe being one of the countries with high casualty figures expressed as annual deaths per million, the country currently has no installed Lightning Location and Detection (LLD) System. The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe appears to be relying on word of mouth in compiling statistics on lightning activity and lightning-related casualties in Zimbabwe. This paper presents an online monitoring system that monitors the incidence and severity of lightning and sends the acquired data to an online central server using GSM network in real time. It discusses the design and implementation of an Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) for online monitoring of lightning incidence and severity in rural Zimbabwe using GSM network. The intelligent electronic device captures the signals it receives from a lightning detector before sending the data to a central server using GSM network.Initial laboratory tests were carried out and the device managed to successfully send SMS messages to a central server.
2010 International Conference on Power System Technology, 2010
For many years glass and porcelain have been the dominant insulation materials for our bushes, in... more For many years glass and porcelain have been the dominant insulation materials for our bushes, insulators and circuit breakers. Recently however, the situation has changed and we now see outdoor circuit breakers at very high voltages of the order of hundreds of kilovolts using polymeric insulation. The advantages of polymeric insulation have always been known but their tracking performance in
2010 International Conference on Power System Technology, 2010
... Edward. Chikuni (M' 2007) Holds a BEng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Univer... more ... Edward. Chikuni (M' 2007) Holds a BEng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sierra Leone, an MSc. from University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST) and a PhD from the University of Wales, Swansea. ...
... OI Okoro Department of Electrical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umud... more ... OI Okoro Department of Electrical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Nigeria. ... programmes content, then it is good to ask, “How and who should teach mechatronics?” At the Beihang University in Beijing, China, the mechatronics ...
2011 IEEE Jordan Conference on Applied Electrical Engineering and Computing Technologies (AEECT), 2011
For many years most large utilities and undertakings such as those in electricity production, min... more For many years most large utilities and undertakings such as those in electricity production, mining, agriculture, transportation have been controlled by state organs, often called "parastatals" or state enterprises. In the '70's and 80's, African economies did not have severe economic challenges; some countries were even booming (e.g. Nigeria of the '70's). With the passing of time, populations grew and
The requirement of hot water in the home is obvious to us, especially during the winter season. A... more The requirement of hot water in the home is obvious to us, especially during the winter season. At the same time in our workplaces, where the working population spends the majority of its time, energy is being expended on a daily basis. The typical kettle or “tea urn” for boiling the water is not insulated and must be at the
It is well known fact that the rate of industrial growth of any country is a function of the amou... more It is well known fact that the rate of industrial growth of any country is a function of the amount of energy available in that country and the extent to which this energy is utilized. The burning of fossil fuels to generate energy is a dirty process. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result when fossil fuels are produced and consumed and these emissions contribute to climate change. Nigeria as a country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because its economy is mainly dependent on income generated from the production, processing, export and/or consumption of fossil fuels and its associated energy-intensive products. Hence, it is on this premise that this paper is researched to review the energy sources being used in Nigeria and investigate its impact to climate change. Findings reveal Nigeria's over-dependence on fossil-generated energy with associated adverse environmental effects, among other things. Recommendations for the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria's energy mix, beyond other measures, have been offered, especially with reference to the salient environmental benefits that accrue to it.
Page 1. Simulating a Wind Energy Synchronous Generator with Skin-effect OI Okoro, Member, IEEE, E... more Page 1. Simulating a Wind Energy Synchronous Generator with Skin-effect OI Okoro, Member, IEEE, E. Chikuni, Member , IEEE AbstractThis paper presents the MATLAB simulation of a synchronous generator for wind energy generation. ...
The advent of modern computers has tremendously changed the mode of research in engineering and s... more The advent of modern computers has tremendously changed the mode of research in engineering and sciences. Engineering problems which have traditionally taken months or years to solve can now readily be solved in a few hours by the use of commercial engineering software packages such as MATLAB/SIMULINK ® , ANSOFT ® , SIMPLORER ® , WORKBENCH ® , etc. This paper highlights the immense capability of MATLAB in solving complex engineering problems. A case is made for the use of MATLAB as a teaching and research tools in engineering education.
... E-mail: [email protected] ). Co-author: Edward Chikuni: holds a BEng. degree in Electrical ... more ... E-mail: [email protected] ). Co-author: Edward Chikuni: holds a BEng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sierra Leone, an MSc. from University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST) and a PhD from the University of Wales, Swansea. ...
... (Chikuni, Thomas, El-Missiry [8]). Figure 1.4 illustrate the style of a modern hybyrid electr... more ... (Chikuni, Thomas, El-Missiry [8]). Figure 1.4 illustrate the style of a modern hybyrid electric vehicle. Figure 1.3: 7 year ZEV targets for California: Source: Financial Times Legend for Figure 1.3: ... Table 2.2: Energy Density (ED) and Cycle Life (CY) of Some Battery Types ...
Climate change has had perhaps the most adverse effect on African rural communities where we witn... more Climate change has had perhaps the most adverse effect on African rural communities where we witness persistent droughts and erratic rain patterns. Peasants often have to walk many kilometres to fetch water of a suspect quality. In these circumstances underground water supplies provide the best hope for them. Often, however, water tables may have receded to such an extent that wells are not a practical proposition. Besides, water is needed not just for domestic use such as food preparation and cleaning, but also for livestock and watering of small gardens. In this paper we present methodology for sizing and designing a photovoltaic pumping system based on components available in Southern Africa. We also show that solar pumping technology has gone past the experimental and prototype stage. Further we strongly put forward the proposition that the technology has clearly matured and in terms of cost, is fast approaching that of choice over other technologies relying on the grid. Current...
Constant power supply is the hallmark of a devel-oped economy. Any nation whose energy need is ep... more Constant power supply is the hallmark of a devel-oped economy. Any nation whose energy need is epileptic in supply, prolongs her development and risks losing potential investors. Nigeria, a country of over 120 million people, has for the past 33 years of establishment of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) agency empowered with the elec-tricity generation, transmission and distribution, wit-nessed frequent and persistent outages. Presently, the federal government has embarked on power sector reforms with the intention of improving the above unpalatable scenario and in turn reduce the scope of monopoly control of the nation’s power industry. This paper therefore looks at the overall power sector reforms as well as evaluates the opportunities and challenges there from; while advocating introduction of a demand side manage-ment (DSM) program by Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) as a way of reducing energy con-sumption among customers with emphasis on ener-gy conservation...
American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 2015
Multiphase Induction machine offers numerous advantages compared to the conventional three phase ... more Multiphase Induction machine offers numerous advantages compared to the conventional three phase induction machine. Among the different types, the six-phase induction machine is most common, due to the flexibility in converting a three phase to six phase. By splitting the phase belt of a three phase induction machine, a six-phase induction machine is realized. The areas of application of multiphase (>3) machines are enormous, mostly where reliability is paramount. This paper presents the analysis, modeling and simulation of a 5Hp, 50HZ, 4 pole, 24 slots asymmetrical six-phase induction machine for submarine application. With the help of MATLAB software, the models developed are simulated and results in the form of computer traces of the dynamic performance of the machine at start-up are presented and discussed. This investigation shows that the replacement of three phase with a six phase machine is both technically and economically advantageous.
Southern Africa is endowed with abundant solar energy resources, photovoltaics (PV) being one of ... more Southern Africa is endowed with abundant solar energy resources, photovoltaics (PV) being one of the popular sources, as one can convert sunlight to electricity directly. However, for one to be able to implement PV technology successfully, it is necessary to produce electrical output which is compatible with the appliances that are used by a normal domestic consumer such as television. This means that the direct current that is produced by Photovoltaic Arrays must be converted to alternating current of the right quality and magnitude. The question of cost is also important since most potential users have low incomes. This paper describes an inverter designed as part of a student project. The inverter is particularly suitable for use in those rural areas where there is still no electricity supply from the an Electricity Utility. Hardware controlled inverters are bulky and consume a lot of power. This reduces their output efficiency. They are also very expensive. There was thus a need...
2013 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT), 2013
The rapid introduction of computer and network technology in the area of power systems generally ... more The rapid introduction of computer and network technology in the area of power systems generally and substations in particular is being embraced by many utilities, especially in the most developed countries. The technology itself is not new. It is vigor, the aggressive marketing, the pace accompanying the technology, however that requires all level minded persons to pause to examine the wider implications of these developments. The most far-reaching of impact of this technology will be on those utilities and countries with limited capabilities in the information communications and technology sector (ICT). Since this surge towards automation is considered irreversible, it is incumbent upon educational institutions to undertake an urgent review is paper describes what substation and smart-grid achieve and examines the attendant opportunities and threats. given in this document.
2013 IEEE 5th Conference on Engineering Education (ICEED), 2013
ABSTRACT Engineering Topics in Universities have expanded astronomically in recent years resultin... more ABSTRACT Engineering Topics in Universities have expanded astronomically in recent years resulting in congested curricula and concomitant pressure on students who opt to enroll in the various disciplines, which are also expanding. It is not a surprise therefore that Engineering Students spend more study hours than their colleagues in pursuing, for example, programmes in the social sciences. Under such pressures, many students fail to cope and overall pass rates are low. In this paper, the authors will present the results of a combination of interventions he has incorporated in his classes for study areas that include Engineering Design, Capstone Projects as well the delivery of individual course modules. Through a combination of the measures incorporated, the authors has observed a revived interest in engineering and improved performance. Among the techniques applied to more depth are, Creative Thinking, espoused in Edward de Bono's "Six Thinking Hats", Start Pugh's "Total Design" and a more in-depth implementation of a student's "Learning Portfolio". Through this combination of measures, the authors has achieved not only higher pass rates but also higher passing grades. More recently the authors devised an alternative to laboratory work in which students would as part of a group work on the construction a "Training Board" based on a industry type "script". In this manner, the students would not only have to face the challenge of engineering language, but would learn the dynamics of engineering, e.g. budgeting, purchasing, component sizing, project management and documentation.
Zimbabwe still relies on hydro and coal for its power generation. This paper looks at the potenti... more Zimbabwe still relies on hydro and coal for its power generation. This paper looks at the potential of grid connected photovoltaic arrays for complementing power generation in Zimbabwe. Monthly radiation data for twenty nine locations in Zimbabwe has been collected using National Aeronautics and Space administration (NASA) and ground measurements done by other researchers in the past. An hourly load
IET Conference on Renewable Power Generation (RPG 2011), 2011
In this paper, a dynamic model of solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a power rating of 30 kW has... more In this paper, a dynamic model of solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a power rating of 30 kW has been presented and implemented in PSCAD software. The SOFC system comprises a fuel cell (FC) stack and power conditioner, which comprises of a dc-dc boost converter and dc-ac inverter. The system also incorporates a Pi-controller to maintain output voltage of dc-dc boost converter at a desired level when there is a change in FC output voltage due to change in current supplied by it. Pulse width modulation (PWM) switching technique has been utilized for boost converter and inverter operation. The model has been tested for stand-alone and grid-connected operation and its load following performances. The model has also been tested under fault conditions on the grid-side. The simulation results obtained has been presented with analysis. (7 pages)
2013 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT), 2013
Ligthning phenomenon is a common occurrence in Southern Africa, particularly during the summer an... more Ligthning phenomenon is a common occurrence in Southern Africa, particularly during the summer and rainy season. Cloud-to-ground lightning is a common natural atmospheric hazard in Zimbabwe. Despite, Zimbabwe being one of the countries with high casualty figures expressed as annual deaths per million, the country currently has no installed Lightning Location and Detection (LLD) System. The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe appears to be relying on word of mouth in compiling statistics on lightning activity and lightning-related casualties in Zimbabwe. This paper presents an online monitoring system that monitors the incidence and severity of lightning and sends the acquired data to an online central server using GSM network in real time. It discusses the design and implementation of an Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) for online monitoring of lightning incidence and severity in rural Zimbabwe using GSM network. The intelligent electronic device captures the signals it receives from a lightning detector before sending the data to a central server using GSM network.Initial laboratory tests were carried out and the device managed to successfully send SMS messages to a central server.
2010 International Conference on Power System Technology, 2010
For many years glass and porcelain have been the dominant insulation materials for our bushes, in... more For many years glass and porcelain have been the dominant insulation materials for our bushes, insulators and circuit breakers. Recently however, the situation has changed and we now see outdoor circuit breakers at very high voltages of the order of hundreds of kilovolts using polymeric insulation. The advantages of polymeric insulation have always been known but their tracking performance in
2010 International Conference on Power System Technology, 2010
... Edward. Chikuni (M' 2007) Holds a BEng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Univer... more ... Edward. Chikuni (M' 2007) Holds a BEng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sierra Leone, an MSc. from University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST) and a PhD from the University of Wales, Swansea. ...
... OI Okoro Department of Electrical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umud... more ... OI Okoro Department of Electrical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Nigeria. ... programmes content, then it is good to ask, “How and who should teach mechatronics?” At the Beihang University in Beijing, China, the mechatronics ...
2011 IEEE Jordan Conference on Applied Electrical Engineering and Computing Technologies (AEECT), 2011
For many years most large utilities and undertakings such as those in electricity production, min... more For many years most large utilities and undertakings such as those in electricity production, mining, agriculture, transportation have been controlled by state organs, often called "parastatals" or state enterprises. In the '70's and 80's, African economies did not have severe economic challenges; some countries were even booming (e.g. Nigeria of the '70's). With the passing of time, populations grew and
The requirement of hot water in the home is obvious to us, especially during the winter season. A... more The requirement of hot water in the home is obvious to us, especially during the winter season. At the same time in our workplaces, where the working population spends the majority of its time, energy is being expended on a daily basis. The typical kettle or “tea urn” for boiling the water is not insulated and must be at the
It is well known fact that the rate of industrial growth of any country is a function of the amou... more It is well known fact that the rate of industrial growth of any country is a function of the amount of energy available in that country and the extent to which this energy is utilized. The burning of fossil fuels to generate energy is a dirty process. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result when fossil fuels are produced and consumed and these emissions contribute to climate change. Nigeria as a country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because its economy is mainly dependent on income generated from the production, processing, export and/or consumption of fossil fuels and its associated energy-intensive products. Hence, it is on this premise that this paper is researched to review the energy sources being used in Nigeria and investigate its impact to climate change. Findings reveal Nigeria's over-dependence on fossil-generated energy with associated adverse environmental effects, among other things. Recommendations for the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria's energy mix, beyond other measures, have been offered, especially with reference to the salient environmental benefits that accrue to it.
Page 1. Simulating a Wind Energy Synchronous Generator with Skin-effect OI Okoro, Member, IEEE, E... more Page 1. Simulating a Wind Energy Synchronous Generator with Skin-effect OI Okoro, Member, IEEE, E. Chikuni, Member , IEEE AbstractThis paper presents the MATLAB simulation of a synchronous generator for wind energy generation. ...
The advent of modern computers has tremendously changed the mode of research in engineering and s... more The advent of modern computers has tremendously changed the mode of research in engineering and sciences. Engineering problems which have traditionally taken months or years to solve can now readily be solved in a few hours by the use of commercial engineering software packages such as MATLAB/SIMULINK ® , ANSOFT ® , SIMPLORER ® , WORKBENCH ® , etc. This paper highlights the immense capability of MATLAB in solving complex engineering problems. A case is made for the use of MATLAB as a teaching and research tools in engineering education.
... E-mail: [email protected] ). Co-author: Edward Chikuni: holds a BEng. degree in Electrical ... more ... E-mail: [email protected] ). Co-author: Edward Chikuni: holds a BEng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sierra Leone, an MSc. from University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST) and a PhD from the University of Wales, Swansea. ...
... (Chikuni, Thomas, El-Missiry [8]). Figure 1.4 illustrate the style of a modern hybyrid electr... more ... (Chikuni, Thomas, El-Missiry [8]). Figure 1.4 illustrate the style of a modern hybyrid electric vehicle. Figure 1.3: 7 year ZEV targets for California: Source: Financial Times Legend for Figure 1.3: ... Table 2.2: Energy Density (ED) and Cycle Life (CY) of Some Battery Types ...
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