By Wycliffe N. Sovari
Technically speaking, “power” is the ability to do work ……it all started with the invention of the bulb, we had the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell (18th CENTURY) and since time immemorial; Electronics and Electricity are part and parcel of man’s life all over the globe. Engineering, technology, innovation, applied science and agriculture are thus interdependent and inseparable in our normal day-to-day activities.
Narrowing down to Power as a utility in farming and for that case electricity we really need to check on the merits and demerits as farmers and see how best and cheaply we can utilize power?
In our discussion we shall compare and advice the now; “Power-conscious farmer” on HEP (Hydro-Electric Power), Solar Power, Geothermal, Biogas Power and a little hint on rarely discussed sources such as Nuclear power. Nevertheless, our concentration will feature mostly on natural and renewable sources of energy because of their natural abundance and economics of operation.
Hydroelectric Power
Hydro Power is simply Energy from falling water; dams mostly along a river course are built to trap water. The gravitational Potential energy stored in overhead water is channeled through specially constructed pipes. Through this movement the pressure in water and speed is used to rotate giant turbines, the turbines turn the rotary generators that feed electrical generators to power control instruments such as transformers for transmission into the national grid system.
Merits
- Environmentally friendly thus a nonpollutant unlike fossil fuels.
- It is renewable.
- It is Cheaper and renewable because of constant generation of electrical power.
- Farmers can incorporate fishing and watersporting activities as extra-income generation on the dam.
Demerits
- Initial implementation cost of switchgears and design is expensive.
- It is automatic that people will be displaced to pave way for a mega H.E.P project.
- Scarcity of suitable location is a major hindrance to H.E.P power production.
- Major health hazards such as bilharzia and malaria arise due to stagnation of water .
Solar Power
There is plenty of free sunshine and we should just admit that solar is a key natural source of energy in Africa and countries lying within the tropics.
To achieve this; solar energy technology for both small and large scale are applied. The farmer therefore generates electrical energy by use of solar cells. The engineers technically call them PV cells or simpler “photo-voltaic” cells. This special arrangement of billions of cells on a panel convert light directly into electrical energy through semi-conductor principles of conduction and emission of electrons.
Advantages of Solar
- Very economical, sunshine is free!
- It’s a reliable alternative source of electrical energy
- Running and operational costs are very much low in comparison with ‘fuel-based” sources of electrical energy i.e Petroleum
- No environmental impact. No fuel is burned in the process of converting solar energy into electricity. There are no greenhouse gases produced.
- No air pollution
- No water pollution
- No impact on land resources
- Energy costs: Solar energy processes have been dropping (approximately 60% since 2012). Improved production techniques and solar cell efficiency guarantee future cost reductions
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- Sunshine is available only at daytime Solution: Solar back-up batteries are utilized and therefore provide 24-hour controlled power for utility
- The initial installations cost are high
Solution: This argument is dependent on the size of the project. But with economies of scale applied, more units translate to cheaper “per-unit ” of solar panels procured. - Dependent on weather conditions
Solution: Therefore it is very much advisable that solar panels are utilized in areas with sunshine prevalence during most seasons of the year.
Biogas/Biomass
(i) BIOMASS
Waste plant matter is used as fuel either directly as in the case of bagasse from sugarcane burnt to be utilized for steam engine electricity production
(ii) BIOGAS
Alternatively the same organic farm matter can be decomposed under special underground sewer tanks with mixture such as animal waste (dung and urine) from animal farms….The output of the decomposition of organic matter by bacteria action is biogas (mainly Methane CH4) Methane readily burns when lit and thus is utilizable for cooking/heating water activities in the farm households. The remaining dry matter is now one of the best naturally “treated’ manure now used by farmers to add nutrients to the crops.
Demerits of Biomass/Biogas Power
Biogas creates harmful emissions such as Carbon (IV) Oxide and Sulphur. The emissions are key contaminants to the Ozone (O3) layer that shields unwanted U-V rays from penetrating the atmosphere.
Geothermal Power
At a glance, Geographically; where underground water meets magma (hot molten rocks) ; hot springs which when uncontrolled form geysers which are pressurized, naturally formed, water-filled pits that recurrently boil and spurt very hot water ….An example are the sites near Lake Bogoria and LAKE Naivasha along the Riftvalley basin in Kenya.
By keen analysis it is important to note that Geothermal power is an expensive investment but quite sustainable citing examples like KENGEN at Olkaria Generating station that feeds the National grid system with Power.
Advantages of Geothermal
- It is economical since steam is natural
- Is a reliable source of energy.
- Is a renewable source of energy.
Disadvantages of Geothermal
- Emission of sulphurous gases
- Cases of acid rain take place due to air contamination
- Global warming is accelerated due to emission of greenhouse gases.