Powering a Space Environment Research Laboratory (SERL): Hybrid Renewable Energy System or Diesel System?

ABSTRACT

The quest for sustainable energy has greatly increased across the globe. Erratic energy supply in many African countries restricts socioeconomic growth, particularly in developing countries. Besides, the depletion of fossil fuel and the environmental threats caused by the use of conventional energy supply is a challenge that requires immediate attention. Several critical sectors require constant energy, which is not readily available. One such sector is research and development. For example, the Space Environment Research Laboratory (SERL) operated by the Centre for Atmospheric Research (CAR) of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Nigeria needs constant and reliable energy to meet up with the expectations of collaborators. To achieve this, the equipment is powered by a diesel generator, which is not environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the associated cost to constantly run a diesel generator is a major concern to administrators. Therefore, this article explores the application of hybrid energy to power the space research equipment at the Space Environment Research Laboratory (SERL), Abuja, Nigeria. The optimization results show that the proposed PV/BAT/DG (photovoltaic/battery/distributed generation) is the best energy generation alternative compared to the diesel generator, presently in use. It is essential that the sustainability of a hybrid system be considered in future research.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adedoja Oluwaseye Samson

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Adedoja Oluwaseye Samson holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Ilorin and a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Nigeria, located in Nsukka, Nigeria. He is currently the head of the Engineering and Technical Support Unit of the Centre for Atmospheric Research (CAR), National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Anyigba, Nigeria. He is a registered member of the Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and a corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). His research interest lies in space instrumentation, energy studies, modelling and optimization, and environmental studies. He is presently on his doctoral degree program. He may be contacted via email at [email protected].

Olubayo Moses Babatunde

Olubayo Moses Babatunde is a registered professional engineer in Nigeria. He has experience in building services design, energy efficiency, energy conservation, power systems and renewable energy design. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Ibadan and a Master of Science degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He is presently investigating the penetration of renewable energy in generation expansion for his doctoral studies. He is currently a lecturer at the department of electrical and electronics engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria. He may be contacted via email at [email protected].

Iheanacho Henry Denwigwe

Iheanacho Henry Denwigwe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. His area of research specialization is power systems analysis and energy management. E-mail: [email protected].