IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON AFRICAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON AFRICAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Adedayo Osho

ABSTRACT:

Nature has endowed humans with all resources required to achieve exceptional progress, but has left it to us to put them together. Regrettably, Africa's capacity to develop its own energy technologies has been limited, largely dependent on importation for its economic development, and relies on experts from other continents such as Europe, America and Asia in achieving industrial growth. 

There has been huge challenges for the very limited manufacturing industries in Africa to meet-up with the increasing energy demand which requires the professional skills, design capability, engineering management, manufacturing process and efficient service delivery by world class energy companies. 

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in its July 2021 Report estimates that $40 billion per year is needed to meet the continent's clean energy needs. Since then, African governments have prioritized their investments towards achieving local energy technology development and innovation in order to build a viable economy. This led to massive funding in the development of innovative technologies whose main purposes are to improve efficiency of energy consumption, to reduce costs and emissions into the atmosphere.

Considering the importance of electricity, as well as increasing demand for energy, technology has been employed in achieving the targets of the electricity industry. 

TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE ENERGY ACCESS IN AFRICA

SMART METERING: Different from analogue electricity meters, in which consumers will read, interpret the numbers, get the final details of consumed power before reporting to the utility provider, digital smart meters provide adequate information on electricity consumption and electronically report the information to service providers at regular intervals. Smart metering technology also enables consumers to monitor their consumption levels, save energy and reduces cost.

A smart meter tracks every utility energy consumption that occurs in the household or office it is attached to. In the hydrogen sector, a smart meter connected to a natural gas line tracks the number of therms consumed. It is called smart meter, as it control the flow of the resource being used. Applied in measuring used natural gas, water or electricity, the meter works in monetary measurement such as enabling consumers to read the cost of electricity per minute and rating of watts per hour. 

Many countries have now introduced the technology of electricity pre-paid metering system in the continent, although with varying complaints by electricity consumers in different countries. In Nigeria, west of Africa, the challenge is about the cost of acquiring the meter, delays in receiving and installing the technology, and the lack of constant electricity supply to enjoy the installed facilty. In Zimbabwe, south of the continent, power consumers in the country's southwest city of Bulawayo and even Harare, the country's capital complained that the digitised meter occasionally malfunction. However, the common complaint in many African countries revolve around higher electricity expenditure and lower income levels of consumers.

THE USE OF SMART GRID: Many energy systems are making use of smart grids through technology. Smart grid is an electrical communication network that enable suppliers and consumers to manage electricity demand, protect the distribution network, save more energy and reduce cost. The system is in operation in Austria, South Korea, China, the United States of America (USA), Brazil, Australia, to mention but few. It usually extend from generation plants to the consumers' meters. Smart grids distinguish itself from the traditional grids which has a complex organisational structure with no storage capacity.

Smart grids have storage capacity, unify power generating sources and provide better service delivery.
 
Realizing the benefits of the use of smart grids, South Africa embraced the model and is the leading country in Africa employing the smart grids technological innovation, because it gives energy consumers greater control of their energy use; has less bills; ensure greater security of supply; and enable the use of minimal carbon. 

Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya are emerging as dominant markets for smart grids developments in Africa, including Uganda and Tanzania. 

ENERGY CONSERVATION: Technology has helped in boosting the sustainable use of energy with the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) in the sector, as energy systems are now optimised. The invention of smart monitors helps to regulate the temperature of a building and controls energy activities in an organisation. This application enables the conservation of energy and allows for optimum connection to the internet for easier operations. 

It is important to note that digital connection for the purpose of accessing, sharing information for private or corporate use in this current age is made possible by internet service. For instance, cloud-based IoT solutions enabled many businesses to survive the pandemic across the globe. African-based energy companies tapped into the opportunity by tracking power consumption rate through their smart monitors, as well as chatting directly with customers and addressing complaints remotely via their social media platforms.

However, manpower, as well as artificial resources have been impactfully conserved by technology in Africa particularly because the innovations assists in locating faults, isolate damaged pieces of line, and help to reroute power. Digital sensors at substations also play important roles in detecting powerline problems before communicating it to the control system.

ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

AI is the emerging tool shaping our world, playing important role in energy development since invention by optimizing renewable energy generation and integration. It analyzes data from renewable sources, AI algorithms can forecast energy output, optimize power generation, and improve grid integration.

AI is impactful on energy development, as it help manage smart grids - the discussed electricity supply network which use digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in usage. AI algorithms can predict consumption patterns using historical and real-time data, which can help utilities allocate resources more efficiently. AI can also help optimise resource allocation. For instance, during sudden periods of high demand, AI can improve the distribution of electricity, ensuring that power is directed where it is needed most. It can prevent the risk of blackouts.

Smart grids equipped with AI can detect faults or disruptions in the grid too, such as equipment failures or outages. AI algorithms can identify the exact location of the issue and reroute power to minimise service interruptions, reduce downtime, and improve grid reliability.

CONCLUSION

The impact of technology on the entire energy industry is incalculable, given that technological innovation is greatly helping to improve energy efficiency in Africa. Aside from these existing solutions, the continent has proactively embraced renewable energy since a decade ago, with solar becoming widely integrated in a large spectrum of businesses and installed at homes. Although, there is still a lot of room for advancement. 

Adedayo Osho can be connected via oshoadedayo04@yahoo.com