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Nuclear Plant |
Looking back
before and after the independent where there was a federal state of regions
like Northern Region, Western Region, and Eastern Region. If we are to go by
there energy source and what they can generate if properly managed, we can
discovered how possible we can take the electricity problem in the country. Let’s
focus on 3 key energy source uses around the world and can be find in this three
(3) great regions in Nigeria.
Northern Region
Northern region consist of the
following States / Capital Bauchi, Benue,
Borno, Ilorin, Kano, Katsina, Plateau, Taraba, Niger, Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe,
Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Nassarawa, Yobe, Zamfara. This region is blessed with
many energy sources that they can use to help solve their power situation.
- · Coal
States like Benue, Bauchi and Zamfara can provide a coal plant as the source of energy for the region. Coal
is the largest source of energy for the generation of electricity worldwide,
and it can be use used by heavy industries which is another form of employment
creating and economy diversification.
China produced 3,747 million tons of coal – 48% of 7,861 million tones world coal production. In 2015 other large producers were United States, India, European Union and Australia. Coal should be the best source to help upgrade this region in terms of industries, manufacturing and other form of business that solely depends on constant power supply.
China produced 3,747 million tons of coal – 48% of 7,861 million tones world coal production. In 2015 other large producers were United States, India, European Union and Australia. Coal should be the best source to help upgrade this region in terms of industries, manufacturing and other form of business that solely depends on constant power supply.
Coal supplied 16.5 quadrillion
BTUs of primary energy to electric power plants in United State of
America in 2013. According to Maxwell Fact
About Energy It's about equal to the amount of
energy in 45 million tons of coal, or 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, or
170 million barrels of crude oil. In 1988, total world energy consumption was
about 1 quad every 26 hours.
To make these a bit less abstract, 45 million tons of coal would be a pile 10 feet thick, one mile wide and about 3.3 miles long. At 60 mph, it would take about 9 minutes to drive around the pile.
In terms of electricity, the energy content of 1 quad is equal to about 293 terawatt-hours or 33 gig watt-years. However, a typical steam-turbine power plant burning fossil fuels is only able to capture about a third of the energy in the fuel, so 1 quad of fuel actually produces about 11 gig watt-years of electricity.
To make these a bit less abstract, 45 million tons of coal would be a pile 10 feet thick, one mile wide and about 3.3 miles long. At 60 mph, it would take about 9 minutes to drive around the pile.
In terms of electricity, the energy content of 1 quad is equal to about 293 terawatt-hours or 33 gig watt-years. However, a typical steam-turbine power plant burning fossil fuels is only able to capture about a third of the energy in the fuel, so 1 quad of fuel actually produces about 11 gig watt-years of electricity.
According to the U.S. EIA,
however, current coal generation is one of the most expensive on a first-cost
basis at $4,000 - $6,000 per kW.
Part of the reason for this is that coal-fired electricity generation has
become much more efficient, and the technology needed to achieve higher
efficiencies comes at a steep price.
- · Solar Power
Tapping into the abundant sun
light in the region is another way to create a good power source for the
purpose of more raise in industrial sector, production and employment creation.
The northern region can work together in building more solar panel to help
increase the current power produce in the region.
According to Solar Power Authority, the installed cost of solar panels was between $7-$9 per watt: A 5 kW system would cost around $25,000-$35,000. Many utility companies offer incentives, and some subsidize as much as 50% of system costs. Even at half the cost, though, a system that generates an average $75 of electricity per month could take a long time to pay for itself.
According to Solar Power Authority, the installed cost of solar panels was between $7-$9 per watt: A 5 kW system would cost around $25,000-$35,000. Many utility companies offer incentives, and some subsidize as much as 50% of system costs. Even at half the cost, though, a system that generates an average $75 of electricity per month could take a long time to pay for itself.
According
to Wikipedia Solar
power is the conversion of energy from
sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaic (PV), indirectly
using concentrated solar power, or a combination. Concentrated solar power
systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of
sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaic cells convert light into an electric
current using the photovoltaic effect.
As the cost of solar electricity has
fallen, the number of grid-connected solar PV systems has grown into the
millions and utility-scale solar power stations with hundreds of megawatts are
being built. Solar PV is rapidly becoming an inexpensive, low-carbon technology
to harness renewable energy from the Sun. The current largest photovoltaic
power station in the world is the 850 MW Longyangxia Dam Solar Park, in
Qinghai, China.
- · Hydropower
Northern states like Kano (Tiga Dam & Challawa Gorge Dam),
Katsina (Zobe Dam & Jibiya Dam),
Kebbi State (Zauro polder project), Niger State (Kainji Dam, Jebba Dam
& Shiroro Dam), Adamawa State
(Kiri Dam), Bauchi (Kafin Zaki Dam),
Sokoto State (Goronyo Dam &
Bakolori Dam) and Gombe (Dadin kowa
Dam), should be a region with self sufficient hydro power energy source with
the number of dams and reservoir present in the place. With the help of proper
management and development from the government, these dams can generate about
15,000 MW of energy for this region. This particular amount of energy can serve
this region effectively.
Hydropower
is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region generating 33
percent of global hydropower in 2013. China is the largest hydroelectricity
producer, with 920 TWh of production in 2013, representing 16.9 percent of
domestic electricity use. The cost of hydroelectricity is relatively low,
making it a competitive source of renewable electricity. The hydro station
consumes no water, unlike coal or gas plants.
The average cost of electricity
from a hydro station larger than 10 megawatts is 3 to 5 U.S. cents per
kilowatt-hour. With a dam and reservoir it is also a flexible source of
electricity since the amount produced by the station can be changed up or down
very quickly to adapt to changing energy demands. Once a hydroelectric complex
is constructed, the project produces no direct waste, and has a considerably
lower output level of greenhouse gases than fossil fuel powered energy plants.
Source: Wikipedia.
Hydropower is
the most efficient way to generate electricity. Modern hydro turbines can
convert as much as 90% of the available energy into electricity. The best
fossil fuel plants are only about 50% efficient. In the U.S., hydropower is
produced for an average of 0.85 cents
per kilowatt-hour (kwh). Source: Fact About Hydro Power.
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Western Region
- · Dam / Reservoir
The following
are states in western region and their dams / reservoir Oyo State (Asejiri Reservoir & Ikere Gorge Dam), Ogun State (Oyan River Dam), Ondo State, Lagos State, Osun State (Ede-Erinle
Reservoir) and Ekiti State are
capable of generating 3000 mega watt of electricity with the existing infrastructures
in the region.
Lagos State and Ogun state are the key states that can drive a tremendous growth, investment and business environment into the other states. Rebuilding these dams to their full capacity will provide enough energy the region can use to grow.
Lagos State and Ogun state are the key states that can drive a tremendous growth, investment and business environment into the other states. Rebuilding these dams to their full capacity will provide enough energy the region can use to grow.
- · Natural Gas
This source requires the intervention of the
government to have an agreement with the eastern region for the supply of gas
that will be use to run the power station just like our agreement with Ghana. At present usage rates, natural gas could supply most
of the world's energy needs for between 100 and 250 years, depending on
increase in consumption over time. Having this natural gas installed with boost
the production capacity of Ogun State and Lagos State.
- · Wind energy
Western
region has a good weather condition that can support the installation of wind
energy for constant electricity for the people. Wind energy is a good energy source
that could generate up to 50,000 mega watt of power. This amount of energy is enough
to revive some important sectors in the region.
Eastern Region
The following are cities and states in eastern region Aba, Abakaliki, Abonnema, Ahoada, Awka, Bori City, Buguma, Calabar, Eket, Enugu, Igwuruta, Ikot-Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Nnewi, Nsukka, Omoku, Onitsha, Opobo, Orlu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Umuahia, Uyo, Yenagoa. This region has a lot of mineral resource which could be
use for production of energy source for their businesses and industries.
Improving on the existing infrastructure in the oil rich state and with the help on other alternative means of power source, it is possible for this region to generate at least 30,000 MW of power within them. The following are power source that can be generated in the eastern region of Nigeria.
Improving on the existing infrastructure in the oil rich state and with the help on other alternative means of power source, it is possible for this region to generate at least 30,000 MW of power within them. The following are power source that can be generated in the eastern region of Nigeria.
- · Fossil Fuel Power Station
This is a power station that burns coal, natural gas or
petroleum to generate electricity. States like Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross
River, Delta, Edo, Imo State and River State are enriched with enough oil/gas
to help generate large amount of electricity them need to growth and
development. According to Market Realist, the EIA's findings
suggest that natural gas–fired power plants are cheaper to build with overnight
capital costs ranging from $676 to $2,095 per kilowatt (or kW),
depending on the technology.
Natural gas-fired
combined-cycle units accounted for 53% of the 449 gig watts (GW) of total U.S.
natural gas-powered generator capacity in 2016. Making use of these natural
resources in this eastern region can help boost the country’s economic strength
and also help to reduce the high rate of unemployment and hunger in the
country.
- · Wind Energy
Wind power is the
conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using: wind
turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, wind pumps for water
pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships. A large wind farm may consist of
several hundred individual wind turbines which are connected to the electric
power transmission network.
Offshore wind farms can harness more frequent and powerful winds than are available to land-based installations and have less visual impact on the landscape but construction costs are considerably higher.
Offshore wind farms can harness more frequent and powerful winds than are available to land-based installations and have less visual impact on the landscape but construction costs are considerably higher.
As of 2011, 83
countries around the world are using wind power on a commercial basis. As of
2010 wind energy production was over 2.5% of worldwide power, growing at more
than 25% per annum. The monetary cost per unit of energy produced is similar to
the cost for new coal and natural gas installations.
Although wind power is a popular form of energy generation, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed due to aesthetics. Source: Nigeria of Environment.
Although wind power is a popular form of energy generation, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed due to aesthetics. Source: Nigeria of Environment.
As of the end of
2016, the worldwide total cumulative installed electricity generation capacity
from wind power amounted to 486,790 MW, an increase of 12.5% compared to the
previous year. Installations increased by 54,642 MW, 63,330 MW, 51,675 MW and
36,023 MW in 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 respectively. Source: Wikipedia.
There are many states and cities that are close very to the oceans, whey can be
use for the wind energy plant for easy access to abundance wind speed.
- · Nuclear Power Plant
A nuclear power plant or nuclear power station is a thermal power station in which the heat source
is a nuclear reactor. Nuclear
power plant can generate thousands of mega watts depending on how long it runs.
For example, a nuclear plant that operates 508 MW capacities for 24 hours will generate 12,192
megawatt hours (MWh).
Most power plants do not operate a full capacity every hour of every day of the year. States like Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River that has Uranium in large quantity can take this project up to help generate enough power source for the region.
Most power plants do not operate a full capacity every hour of every day of the year. States like Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River that has Uranium in large quantity can take this project up to help generate enough power source for the region.
Nuclear plant could take up to
5 to 10 years to construct depending on the size, and it could cost about 3-8
Billion Euro according to Energy
Matter. Some sectors like Railways and Automobile Plant will have the
chance to upgrade to electric trains and car fabrication.
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