Emerging technologies set to transform contemporary energy mix and uptake

Recently an experimental aircraft flew from the Middle East to the US powered entirely by solar energy.

The plane, Solar Impulse, captured and stored energy from the sun for sustained use during the day and night flight. No aviation fuels were used which means the flight was fully green with no carbon emissions.

The critical success factor here was the capacity for maximum solar energy capture , and the battery capacity to store the energy.

Then there was the recent news regarding increased sales orders for the latest all-electric Tesla model cars in the US. Improved battery energy storage by Tesla can now fuel a car for a 500-kilometre drive without re-charging.

However at 500 kilogrammes, the lithium-ion battery remains heavy accounting for 25 per cent of the total vehicle weight. Further, at $90,000 (Sh9.09 million) the price of the car is still high.

The research challenge here is to achieve a more compact and cheaper battery which can prompt mass production of electric cars at affordable prices.

The two examples above indicate that science is seeking alternative energy for road and air transportation to replace petroleum.

Research and development for these energy technologies should not face funding obstacles, since the objectives align with the recent Paris climate change pact.

Although aviation travel energy transformation may take longer to achieve, the all-electric vehicles are likely to reach mass production within the next 10 years.

And this will definitely transform the global energy mix. Planners and economists should not ignore these developments in making their longer term energy demand projections.

When all-electric vehicles penetrate the market there will be a decrease in demand for petroleum refining and distribution infrastructure.

The future alternative energy for transportation will be directly or indirectly from green low carbon renewable sources.

Specifically for Kenya, renewable energy is in the form of hydro, geothermal, wind and solar; all of which are at various phases of development and use.

Hydro is the anchor electricity source for Kenya and has continued to provide the critical base load for the national grid, subject of course to rainfall sufficiency.

Mini hydro plants are coming up in highland areas where tea processing provides captive local energy demand.

Geothermal, at 620 megawatts (MW) installed capacity in 2015, is already evolving as a future base load power supply. It continues to easily attract development capital.

With the ongoing 300MW Turkana wind venture and other planned projects in Kajiado, Lamu and Meru; wind energy is also evolving as a key component for the national renewable energy supply.

However, it is in the area of solar energy that a lot of interest is currently focused because of widespread availability of sunshine and the flexibility of solar energy for smaller applications, especially in areas away from the grid.

The challenge here is development of improved technologies to cost-effectively capture and store sufficient solar energy for application in various aspects of our lives and economy.

There was news last week that Consumer goods maker Bidco Africa was installing a 1.7MW solar power plant at its premises in Thika town with a view to reducing grid energy costs.

With more advanced solar technologies it will be possible to increase economic benefits and operating flexibility for solar use by industrial and institutional complexes.

For solar assemblies it is the capture surface area (roofs, land) and energy storage capacity that are limiting.

If one takes the example of a medium-scale Kenyan farmer, the use of grid power (or petroleum) may not be cost effective when applied to various farm appliances.

A farmer dreams of harnessing solar power to drive an irrigation pump, to power a milk cooler round the clock, to drive chuff-cutters, while meeting various lighting needs at night.

And there are many other economic activities that can benefit from solar energy if it can be harnessed cost-effectively.

Above I have discussed renewable energy knowing very well that Kenya is in the process of developing its new fossil fuel resources (oil and coal) which are high carbon energy sources.

As long as Kenya has no crude refining capacity, our oil production will remain a commodity destined for export markets as we continue to import refined products.

We will progressively reduce these products as new technologies replace them with locally sourced renewable energy.

As for coal, it can be argued that we still have a large potential for heavy industries which will require coal for heating and kilning. There are limestone and iron ore deposits sitting somewhere in Kitui which can benefit from coal resources in the county.

Heavy industries elsewhere (soda ash, cement, steel smelters) are in need of coal. Use of coal resources for power generation should be an economic evaluation versus the competing geothermal resources.

Potentially, Kenya has a good pool of energy choices on which to grow its economy, improve lives, and still sufficiently contribute its share of climate change obligations.

All we need is to make correct decisions in respect of energy policies, investments and technologies. We should continue targeting the least cost energy options while minimising carbon emissions.

Connection of power to every household should remain a national objective. By the way, the announcement last week that Garissa is now connected to the national grid is an example of green energy upgrade from thermal (diesel) generation.

Mr Wachira is director, Petroleum Focus Consultants. Email: [email protected].