International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 10, Issue 03, March 2019, pp.855-863. Article ID: IJMET_10_02_088
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=3
ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

RENEWABLE ENERGY TOWARDS A

SUSTAINABLE POWER SUPPLY IN THE
NIGERIAN POWER INDUSTRY: COVENANT
UNIVERSITY AS A CASE STUDY
Sanni Timilehin F., Olajube Ayobami, Abdulkareem Ademola, Alabi Gideon
Electrical and Information Engineering department, College of Engineering,
Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT
The challenge of climate change results primarily from the global use of fossil
fuel. Renewable energy as alternative energy source allows the use of natural sources
such as micro-hydro, wind; solar, and biomass that are sustainable to be explored.
The increase in the dependence on renewable energy calls for attention which can be
solved by the use of energy management. Energy management will provide a
consistent and controllable power supply. There is the need for the integration of
energy management into the grid planning and design. In this work, Energy
management using energy storage is thus considered as one design method for the
system to maximize simplicity and increase reliability using HOMER, a conventional
simulation tool.
Keywords: energy management, energy storage, homer, and solar energy.
Cite this Article: Sanni Timilehin F., Olajube Ayobami, Abdulkareem Ademola,
Alabi Gideon, Renewable Energy Towards a Sustainable Power Supply in the
Nigerian Power Industry: Covenant University as a Case Study, International Journal
of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 10(3), 2019, pp. 855-863
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=3

1. INTRODUCTION
Energy is the bedrock for development. It determines and creates growth and increase in the
technological, economical and health sectors of any nation [1,2]. In most developing
countries, the citizens depend largely on the national grid for power supply. The grid becomes
over-crowded based on the population especially in Nigeria which is one of the largely
populated nation of Africa. However, there are still several remote areas that are not
connected to the grid and those connected have low dependency on the grid due to irregularity
of supply. This is because of the poor reliability of the nation‟s utility grid without neglecting
the financial and environmental reasons. The vast of the remote dwellers depend on diesel-
generators which might not always be available and the urban dwellers who are able to afford

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 Sanni Timilehin F., Olajube Ayobami, Abdulkareem Ademola, Alabi Gideon

diesel contribute greatly to the high carbon dioxide emission. The carbon emission is
increasing due to the unreliability of the national grid. This can be reduced by increase
dependence on renewable energy via the integration of energy storage systems and energy
management topologies. Amid the environmental problems of using gasoline and diesel
generators, the cost of operation and maintenance is very high. However, the citizens of
Nigeria are will agree to change to the use of renewables but for the cost [3].
Nigeria is the number seven of the world's population review (approximately 196 million
people in 2018) and 60% of the populace do not have access to the electricity. The lack of
adequate energy supply is largely due to insufficient energy supply generation by the
inefficient power plants. The most populous black nation in the world depends largely on the
non-renewable energy sources for about 90% of its energy needs.
Most private organizations and industries run on-site diesel generators (dirty energy) as a
reliable energy source. And this is mainly responsible for the high operating and maintenance
costs which invariably raise the cost of production and sale of deliverables. Each of these
problems minimize the reliability of the Nigerian power system. It has significantly impacted
the manufacturing and communication industries negatively [4].
Renewable energy is generally considered an energy source that is inexhaustible, for
example, wind, hydro, geothermal or solar power technologies. The central objective of
energy management is to deliver energy in form of electricity with the minimum cost and
slightest natural impact. Energy management is the planning of the use of energy for
increased efficiency and reliability [5]. Energy management can also be defined as the use of
strategies and control methods to achieve distribution of power supply. The major aims of
energy management include maintaining optimum energy and reducing the impact of fossil
fuel in the environment.
Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, which is a case study in this research has a power plant
capacity of 6 MW using a stand-alone gas turbine and 13 diesel generators up as backup
which is achieved by spending huge amount of money [6]. This estimate does not include the
cost of purchasing spare parts, oils and maintenance. Therefore, this research aims to reduce
the running expenses to the current energy supply system using renewable energy storage
technology. The system design and methodology used to achieve the objectives are provided.
HOMER is used to simulate the different system designs and the effects of both systems are
analysed.

2. RENEWABLE ENERGY IN NIGERIA

In developing countries, renewable energies aim to provide sustainable energy to the socially
viable part of society, to tackle energy shortages, to promote rural infrastructural development
and to provide clean energy. Renewable energy has become a dependable source of energy
that has the capacity of meeting the energy needs of the generation to come. The growing
popularity of the renewable energy sources is based on environmental concerns and the rapid
rate of depletion of reserves of traditional energy resources as a result of heavy use.
Sustainable alternative energy solutions will eradicate environmental challenges and the
energy crisis associated with fossil fuel [7]. Low access to electricity in a country results in
increased poverty, poor economic performance, reduced employment opportunities.
Increase in population indicates an increase in energy demand in the country as depicted
by the population increase and global industrial transformation of the twentieth century which
led to an increase in energy demand [8]. Energy management is key to the efficient use of the
energy produced. Some of the advantages are resource conservation, protect the climate and
save money while having permanent access to energy.

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 Renewable Energy Towards a Sustainable Power Supply in the Nigerian Power Industry:
Covenant University as a Case Study

Figure 1 Percentage of energy consumption in Nigeria [9]

The use of renewable energy in Nigeria is minimal as can be seen in figure 1. A crucial
reason for this study is to increase citizens of developing countries to buy into the advantages
of renewable energy. This will take the form of policies, regulations, a legislative framework,
license agreements for private operators, definitions of institutions and rules for the service
and products of RE [10]. To improve investment potential and develop RE technologies in the
country, incentives are needed through effective policy [11]. The high cost of installation is
the main problem of renewable energy development in Nigeria. The solution is to stimulate
the private sector to force the development of education and trainings. One way to do this is to
put in place incentive policies, such as tariff definitions [12-14].
Nigeria can be described as a country that naturally has renewable and non-renewable
energy resources. Renewable sources include biomass, wind power, solar energy and
hydropower, with varying degrees of sustainable potential of 3.5-7.5 kW h/m2/day for solar
radiation, 83 million tonnes/year for crop residues and 61 million tonnes/year for animal
wastes to mention but a few [15].

3. POTENTIAL FOR SOLAR IN THE POWER INDUSTRY

The nation, Nigeria, has enough solar radiation to provide the energy used locally by rural
residents who have a lower demand for electrical load. [16]. Solar energy is available in all
parts of the world, and its potential as a renewable source is unlimited [17]. Many Nigerian
scientists have conducted studies on the possible analysis of solar energy applications, many
of which have indicated significant potential for use of resources.
Fig. 2 represents the photovoltaic potential of some regions of the country which includes
Port Harcourt, Uyere, Lagos, Abuja and Maiduguri.
With the results given, Maiduguri shows the highest solar photovoltaic potential followed
by Sokoto. Other results include the Federal District in the north center, which has a capacity
of 3000 watts / m 2 / day. In the southern axis where Port Harcourt has the least potential in
July but maintains a degree of value above the threshold. Other research has shown that
during the period from June to August, the country is experiencing a significant decline in its
potential due to cloudy environmental coverage caused rainy season.

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 Sanni Timilehin F., Olajube Ayobami, Abdulkareem Ademola, Alabi Gideon

Figure 2 Solar energy potential in Nigeria

4. METHODOLOGY
For the basis of this research, Covenant University (CU) has been chosen as the case study
because it can be referred to as a miniature city with a gas-powered supply station of 6MW
rating and its major conventional load types. The main purpose of conserving this energy will
foster less operating cost, reduced energy consumption, lesser lighting fixture replacement
and less accrued heat generated by them, leading to an eco-friendly environment and making
buildings environmentally sustainable.
The case study has had a major population growth of over 8529 students, 374 faculties
and 502 non-academic staff. With the following population data as follows [18];
 A residential capacity of 10 resident hostels with about 400 rooms per hostel
 2 colleges, 6 schools and 22 departments.
 University guest house, Library, Chapel, Lecture theatres.
 Residential buildings (1-2-3-bedroom flats and duplex)
All these and more makes Covenant University not only a suitable case study but also can
be regarded to as a mini-town.

4.1. Data collection

With an energy audit carried out in Covenant University in the department of physical
planning and development (PPD).

Daily Power Consumption in KW

1000
800
600
400
200
0

Figure 3 Daily consumption of different buildings [18].

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 Renewable Energy Towards a Sustainable Power Supply in the Nigerian Power Industry:
Covenant University as a Case Study

Electricity usage in a university campus differs in terms of load definitions and

consumption patterns [19]. The factors include the building design, types of electrical
appliances, types of lamps, and their power ratings. Figure 4 shows the electric power demand
of Covenant University. Analysis of load demand and the use of smart metering is crucial to
sustainable developments [20-22].

% CONSUMPTION
CST Building CDS Building
21% 18%

Pet Engr. Chem Engr.

9% 15%

Mech Engr. Civil Engr.

EIE Engr.
15% 8%
14%

Figure 4 Percentage Consumption in various academic buildings

4.2 Description of the model / energy models

The system designed in this research is a hybrid system consisting of a photovoltaic system,
conventional diesel system and battery storage. The converter is bidirectional, which
maintains the power flow between AC and DC components, since the flow comes in two
different directions DC and DC to AC. The flow from the solar system passes through the
charging controller to charge the battery and at the same time to feed the electricity it
transports through the inverter. The controller monitors charging and discharging the battery
so that the battery is not damaged by overload or over-discharge.
Since this research is based on a detailed analysis of the energy flow which reveals the
energy loss (charge controller, rectifier, battery and inverter) in the system and storage
requirements. In addition, the developed model was used to determine the optimal
measurement parameters for the PV system in which the results obtained were compared and
tested with HOMER.

Figure 5 Modelled hybrid energy system

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 Sanni Timilehin F., Olajube Ayobami, Abdulkareem Ademola, Alabi Gideon

A microgrid model system consisting of Photovoltaics, diesel generator, and battery storage are
included. The modelling methodology is described with the theoretical aspects below.
( ) (1)
(EDEG) = Hourly energy generated by diesel generator
(PDEG) = with a nominal power output;
( ) (2)
The rectifier model is given below;
( ) (3)
( ) ( ) (4)
At any time (t),
( )= ( ) ( ) (5)
The model of the charge controller is given in equations 8 and 9, and the battery in
equation 10.
( ) ( ) (8)
( ) ( ) ( ) (9)
During the charging process, when the total output of all the generators exceeds the load
demand, the battery capacity of the bank available over time, t, can be described through;
( ) ( ) ( ) (10)
The depth of discharge (DOD) is,
( ) (11)

(12)

5. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Homer software has an inbuilt function that calculates the data of the region you select. The
coordinate selected was 6.6699o N, 3.1574o E which is the location of Covenant university.
The results downloaded were gotten from NASA datasets which was used in the research to
determine the amount of solar irradiation available.
The calculated model is designed and used to build a hybrid system model (PV / diesel).
The data inputs for the program are the data dial for the hourly loading, latitude, longitude,
and cost of the reference components. The program, which is designed according to the size
of the system components (scalability parameters) and system performance throughout the
year, is defined according to the energy provided by each energy system throughout the year.
of the year. The program designed to study how to provide a hybrid system (PV / diesel) can
be used.

Daily radiation in (kWh/m

10
5
0

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 Renewable Energy Towards a Sustainable Power Supply in the Nigerian Power Industry:
Covenant University as a Case Study

Figure 6 Daily radiation available in covenant university

With the PV in the hybrid system, table 2 is the output of the PV generation method in the
system.

Table 2 The table of PV in the hybrid system (kW)

Supplied to the load via Charging the
Electricity generated
inverter battery directly
January 1538.295 987.628 239.282
February 1586.851 971.97 199.718
March 1498.562 1094.416 232.446
April 1554.395 1045.61 219.627
May 1488.347 1049.806 221.725
June 1333.962 936.894 215.577
TOTAL 9131.135 6086.324 1328.375
With the diesel generator in the hybrid system, table 3 describes the output of the
generation method.

Table 3 Electricity received by the inverter and supplied to the AC load (kW)
Supplied to the load Charging the battery via
Electricity generated
directly the rectifier
January 1177.104 874.649 299.517
February 1016.936 724.017 289.982
March 1096.767 792.623 301.472
April 1074.702 781.803 289.705
May 1143.499 826.317 314.101
June 1188.892 867.973 313.288
TOTAL 6697.9 4867.382 1808.065

5.1. Results of the hybrid electricity production

This section explains the derived results from the HOMER software and includes the
technical terms such as the battery charge, supply, excess, losses, and consumption in kW.
With regard to power supply and battery charging, the electric current supplies electrical
power through the inverter, and charges the battery directly, while the oil generator directly
feeds electricity to the AC load and charges the battery through the rectifier as shown in the
table 4.

Table 4 Electricity generated and supplied and battery charge by the PV in hybrid system in (kw)
Excess
Electricity Supplied to the Charging the
Months Losses electricity
generated load battery
generated
JAN 2715.399 1862.277 538.799 0.159 314.164
FEB 2527.428 1695.987 489.7 0.154 341.587
MAR 2802.411 1887.039 533.918 0.154 381.3
APR 2629.097 1827.413 509.332 0.146 292.206
MAY 2522.854 1876.123 535.826 0.179 219.718
JUN 2544.529 1804.867 528.865 0.177 188.945

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 Sanni Timilehin F., Olajube Ayobami, Abdulkareem Ademola, Alabi Gideon

Total 15741.718 10953.706 3136.44 0.969 1737.92

The hybrid system can fully meet load demand for example in January, the electricity
generated was 2715.399 kW as seen in Table 4, to meet an expected demand of 2148.238 kW
and still charges the battery.

6. CONCLUSION
The design of a stand-alone hybrid power system using energy storage is the summary of
work done. This is proposed to solve one of the priorities of the United Nations which is
climate change [2]. It is noted that the combination of PV solar array, battery storage, and a
diesel generator can fully minimize the dependence on diesel resource which in turn reduces
the amount of carbon emission. It is also important to note that the use of the hybrid system
might not significantly reduce the net present cost (NPC) but it has been able to cut down the
dependence on diesel which reduces the greenhouse effect.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge Covenant University, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria for
sponsoring this research work.

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