SISBEAN: Support for Integrated Solar and BioEnergy Access in Nigeria

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Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£312,335

Dec. 1, 2021

Jan. 31, 2022

In this project, we are integrating 2 well-established technologies (solar photovoltaic power and biomethane from biodigestion of waste biomass) to create a 24-hours all-weather electricity supply microgrid that will tackle the colossal lack of access to energy in Nigeria. Also, we are conducting market analysis and developing business plans for the viable and affordable deployment of the project outcome and for future scale-up beyond the project.

With an average of <6hrs/day of electricity supply in Amosun village (same across Nigeria), our contribution to increasing the supply of electricity means that domestic and commercial consumers can save an estimated $14 billion/year used to power 14 GW of small-scale diesel and petrol generating sets. Furthermore, our waste-to-energy anaerobic digestion system will help to process food and agricultural waste that will otherwise pollute the environment, into clean renewable energy (24hrs) for \>10,000 traders and residence.

We have access the affordability of potential end-users and the socio-economic viability of the ISABET energy platform and will leverage on the intrinsic waste-to-energy approach of the ISABET system to match the affordability of Nigerians. The smart integration of this microgrid allows us to accurately measure loading and generation capacity of ISABET and to effectively plan for expansion into neighbouring communities.

However, new COVID-19 regulations and safety protocols has prevented us from collocating our equipment within the buildings at the Central Abattoir at Amosun, Ibadan, Nigeria as originally planned. This has led to additional unbudgeted costs to provide a control and equipment room as well as the cabling connections to link it to the solar and bioenergy plants.

Furthermore, we have lost a key member of our team to COVID-19 which led to unexpected increased cost for bring on-board specialist scientific/engineering support for project implementation.

Therefore, additional financial support through this resilience grant will reduce the current challenges (due to Covid-19 induced relocation and loss of personnel) of implementing the systems integration between the solar and bioenergy components.

The use of biomethane as an alternative to gasoil is expected to improve local air quality, with regards to NOx and particulate matter. We will reduce Nigeria's dependence on highly polluting diesel and petrol powered electricity generators. By generating electricity with solar power instead of fossil fuels, we can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2).

Reliable electricity supply from the ISABET system will improved street and community lighting which will enhance security in Amosun village.