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This paper takes a cursory look at the problem of inadequate power supply in the rural healthcare centres of a developing country, specifically Nigeria, and proffers strategies to address this issue through the design of hybrid renewable energy systems combined with the existing unreliable grid in order to meet the healthcare load demand, thus ensuring higher reliability of available energy sources. The simulations, analysis and results presented in this paper are based on meteorological data and the load profiles of six selected locations in Nigeria, using which hybrid grid-connected systems integrating diesel, solar and wind energy sources are designed with configurations to give optimum output. The optimised design configurations in the considered case study, Ejioku, Okuru-Ama, Damare-Polo, Agbalaenyi, Kadassaka and Doso, produce very low energy costs of of 0.0791 $/kWh, 0.115 $/kWh, 0.0874 $/kWh, 0.0754 $/kWh, 0.0667 $/kWh and 0.0588 $/kWh, respectively, leveraging solar and wind energy sources which make higher percentage contributions at all sites. The load-following-dispatch strategy is adopted at all sites, ensuring that at every point in time, there is sufficient power to meet the needs of the healthcare centres. Further works on this topic could consider other strategies to optimise general energy usage on the demand side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper evaluates the current status of the Nigeria wind energy sector to identify the available Wind Energy Potential, Installed Wind Energy Capacity and Renewable Energy Policies in a bid to provide accurate information to aid the exploration and exploitation of wind energy across Nigeria. Consequently, the huge expanse between the wind energy Potential across Cities in Nigeria, the poor numbers of installed wind capacity and Nigeria's Renewable Energy policies show low interest in Wind Energy in comparison to other RE sources. All this calls for further investment in the Nigerian wind energy sector [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to address Nigeria's challenges in meeting its climate objectives by investigating feasible pathways that can be implemented to accelerate progress and ensure credibility in meeting these targets. By examining the current policies and practices in place as well as successful strategies employed by other countries, this paper aims to provide strategies and policy implications recommendations for Nigeria to enhance its climate action efforts. The potential scenarios developed in this study ranged from increasing renewable energy capacity to implementing stricter regulations and standards for industries to reduce their carbon footprint, promote sustainable production processes, and strengthen climate governance and policy frameworks. The authors further investigated these measures and discovered that implementing stricter regulations and standards for industries would reduce their carbon footprint, promote sustainable production processes, and strengthen climate governance and policy frameworks. As such, Nigeria will be able to meet its climate goals more quickly as a result of the following factors: preventing environmental degradation, funding environmentally friendly infrastructure, and improving public transportation systems that can reduce vehicle-related greenhouse gas emissions. The authors developed policy measures based on the proposed twelve credible pathways to catching up with climate goals in Nigeria, thereby promoting faster progress by the Nigerian government in achieving climate goals. By adopting these measures, Nigeria's progress toward the proposed zero net by 2060 will be significantly accelerated. It will position Nigeria as a continental leader in sustainable development and contribute to the overall global efforts to mitigate climate change. This will not only benefit the environment but also lead to financial development and an improved standard of living for its citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a proposed multi-source all-renewable microgrid in Nigeria's Middlebelt region, this paper presents a multi-temporal approach to the investigation of the uncertainty in the potential of renewable energy resources. The wind, solar, and hydropower resources for a proposed multisource all-renewable off-grid community microgrid are considered using an array of probabilistic techniques. The peculiar variances in the location's climate throughout the year make the more common method of annual models of renewable resources unsuitable for power system planning. Consequently, a more granular model of its renewable resources over time is needed. Therefore, for the chosen location, for each renewable resource, a composite multitemporal maximum-likelihood estimation-based (MLE) probabilistic model for characterization is developed. A total of 39 probabilistic models are developed. Up to 40% improvement in the accuracy of the statistical measures for renewable resource uncertainty was observed. Multi-temporal approach provides more accurate information for power system planning over time than the conventional approach of single aggregate models, especially for hydropower, which is strongly affected by the relatively sporadic occurrence of rainfall. The study shows that solar energy is promising, hydropower potential is seasonal and complementary, and wind potential is low at the location considered in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The unavailability of a constant power supply has been a major problem in remote communities in Africa as it impedes the proper operation of healthcare facilities in these locations. This has deprived inhabitants of free access to good healthcare services, thereby resulting in an increase in maternal and child mortality rates in rural communities in Africa. Therefore, in order to address this problem and render a life-saving intervention for rural dwellers and to also improve their healthcare service delivery, this paper focuses on the optimal configuration of a hybrid energy system for the rural electrification of community healthcare facilities. It presents an analysis of an off-grid hybrid energy system comprised of diesel generators, wind turbines and solar PV with a battery storage system to meet the energy demand of healthcare facilities in a remote community in Nigeria. In this study, hybrid energy systems are considered owing to the high reliability and availability of the intensity of solar radiation and wind speeds in Nigeria. An optimization model was developed which seeks to minimize the operational cost of hybrid energy systems. The proposed model was implemented using four case studies and solved using algebraic modeling language. The results obtained from the sensitivity analysis indicate that the configuration that includes solar PV, wind turbines, a battery storage system and a diesel generator provides the optimum power required for a rural healthcare center with a suitable energy cost and emission reduction from the system of diesel generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life expectancy rate is an essential yardstick for measuring people's well–being. The healthier the population, the better the economic rate of productivity. Not many studies have investigated the asymmetric link between energy use and life expectancy. Thus, this paper addresses the gap by evaluating the impact of fossil fuel (FFEC) and renewable energy consumption (RNEW) on life expectancy (LEXP) in Nigeria from 1965–2019 using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Non‐linear ARDL methods. The bounds test to cointegration confirmed the presence of long‐run association. According to the findings of the ARDL technique, FFEC and RNEW improve LEXP in the long and short‐run. In addition, the NARDL result confirms that a positive shock in FFEC and RNEW improves LEXP in the long and short‐run. This study suggests that cleaner technologies should be applied to fossil fuel sources, while the importance and use of RNEW sources should be continually promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising demand for energy and the aim of moving away from fossil fuels and to low-carbon power have led many countries to move to alternative sources including solar energy, wind, geothermal energy, biomass, and hydrogen. Hydrogen is often considered a "missing link" in guaranteeing the energy transition, providing storage, and covering the volatility and intermittency of renewable energy generation. However, due to potential injustice with regard to the distribution of risks, benefits, and costs (i.e., in regard to competing for land use), the large-scale deployment of hydrogen is a contested policy issue. This paper draws from a historical analysis of past energy projects to contribute to a more informed policy-making process toward a more just transition to the hydrogen economy. We perform a systematic literature review to identify relevant conflict factors that can influence the outcome of hydrogen energy transition projects in selected Economic Community of West African States countries, namely Nigeria and Mali. To better address potential challenges, policymakers must not only facilitate technology development, access, and market structures for hydrogen energy policies but also focus on energy access to affected communities. Further research should monitor hydrogen implementation with a special focus on societal impacts in producing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for improved energy security in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. Currently, energy security is rather poor, while access to energy is fundamental to socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. Renewable energy could potentially contribute to resolving this because renewable sources such as solar radiation are more available and sustainable, and can be set up in small generation units, meaning that it is suitable for community management and ownership. In theory, a community energy approach could well apply. In this paper, the main research question is: In what ways can community energy initiatives contribute to increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy security in Nigeria according to selected stakeholders and households? A mixed methods research approach was used to answer this question, with stakeholder interviews and survey data from 124 residents in two case studies of selected housing estates in Lagos. The results show that 58% of the households and most of the stakeholders express support for community renewable energy as a viable approach for increasing energy access and greening energy supply. The present study shows that there is a need to raise awareness and support projects for effective and supportive renewable energy policy to encourage local renewable energy community formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel generators have long been in use in rural communities in Nigeria despite the impact of emissions caused by these generators on the environment. Due to the high cost and fluctuation in the diesel price and the need for a greener environment, such electric generating systems seem not to be economical and environmentally friendly and need to be addressed. The potential of utilizing the major renewable energy sources prevailing in the Umuejim Amorka community was investigated based on related site surveys and data collected from each household. This paper also investigates the feasibility and economic viability of employing a hybrid-electric system in rural communities. The HOMER software that analyzes system configuration was used to study the application and functional limitations of each hybridized arrangement. The results showed that the renewable energy (RE) based system, photovoltaic (PV)//battery(B), has the lowest cost of energy (COE) and net profit cost (NPC) compared to the PV/Diesel Generator (DG)/B and standalone DG systems. Although the diesel generator (DG) hybrid-electric system (HES) has lower NPC and COE values compared to PV/DG/B, the DG system has the highest significant pollution emission. Furthermore, the result revealed that the PV/B system has the lowest capital and total costs compared to the other two HESs. Moreso, the PV/B system, has the highest return on investment (ROI), making the system the most economically viable and adjudged to be a better candidate for rural community electrification demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was aimed at the techno-economic feasibility assessment of a 25 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system for electricity generation in Effurun-Warri, Nigeria. The system advisor model (SAM) software was used to design and simulate the solar PV modules for power generation. Furthermore, the standard and validated models inbuilt in the SAM software were employed to analyze the techno-economic performance of the system and the energy losses. Results showed that the extent of energy losses considered in the design of the PV system had significant effects on system performance. For the 25 MW system assessed in this study, the highest monthly energy production was obtained at 3.9 GWh in January and the lowest at 1.9 GWh in July. Also, the total annual energy produced by the PV system was observed to depreciate as the system ages, with about 12% of the initial annual energy production expected to be lost after 25 years of system operation. The obtained capacity factor (12.1 %) and the performance ratio (0.75) revealed that the PV system in its current design would be inadequate to match the energy demand profile of Effurun-Warri, Nigeria. Additionally, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) was obtained as 0.65 cents/kWh for the system, which is about 85% higher than the current price of electrical energy in Southern Nigeria. Moreover, a negative net present value (NPV) was obtained for the plant, all indicating that the cost of investment would not be offset during the lifetime of the system, and the project would therefore not be profitable in its current design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is pivotal to the economic development of every nation. However, its production and utilization leads to undesirable carbon emissions that aggravate global warming which results in climate change. The agriculture sector is a significant user of energy. However, it has the potential to be a major contributor to Nigeria's energy supply mix in meeting its energy deficit. More so, in the light of current and impending adverse effects of climate change, there is a need to contain GHG's emissions. This paper focuses on bioenergy utilization as a climate change mitigation strategy and one that can, through effective waste management, enhance sustainable economic development in Nigeria. The paper employed a critical discourse analysis to examine the potential of the agricultural sector to provide biofuels from energy crops and other biomass sources. We conclude that Nigeria can reduce its GHG emissions and greatly contribute to global climate change mitigation while also alleviating its energy supply deficit if the agricultural and municipal wastes readily available in its towns and cities are converted to bioenergy. Such engagements will not only promote a clean and healthy environment but also create jobs for economic empowerment and a better standard of living for the people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 80% of the current Nigerian primary energy consumption is met by petroleum. This overdependence on fossil fuels derived from petroleum for local consumption requirements should be a serious source of concern for the country in two ways - depletion of the resources and negative impact on the environment. This paper presents a critical review of the available renewable energy resources in Nigeria, namely; biomass, hydropower, solar and wind energy. It examines the current energy situation in the country and equally discusses the various energy policy documents developed by the government. Using the scenario-based International Atomic Energy Agency models, the projected energy demand and supply structure of the country through 2030 are presented and analysed. Overall, this study shows that Nigeria will overcome her present energy crisis if she explores the abundant renewable energy resources in the country. The data presented in this paper is a crucial eye-opener for relevant government agencies towards developing these energy resources in tackling the present energy crisis in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria's power infrastructure is dominated by polluting grid-connected fossil-based power systems. The Nation currently suffers from an acute electricity shortage, making nearly 40% of ongrid customers receive unreliable and inconsistent power below their demand. Solar resources are widespread in the country at considerably good potential than in many European nations. Nevertheless, Nigeria's solar photovoltaic (PV) installation capacity could be better. This paper presents the techno-economic, environmental and risk analysis of a grid-connected 10 kW, 100 kW, and 1 MW PV system for three customer segments in Abuja, Nigeria. It is found that a 1 MW grid-tied PV system is very viable at an electricity export rate not below 0.01 $/kWh and a total initial cost (TIC) of not more than 2000 $/kW for fixed axis system and 2600 $/kWh or lower for the two-axis system. The 10 kW and 100 kW PV systems are only financially viable with fiscal incentives. However, they become profitable with a minimum feed-in tariff of about 0.294, 0.297, 0.223 and 0.214 $/kWh for the fixed 10 kW, 2-axis 10 kW, fixed 100 kW and two-axis 100 kW systems, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the current issues that involve environmental changes in Nigeria and environmental threats within the country. The fundamental aim of scientific knowledge in environmental studies is to reconcile climate change and environmental sustainability with developmental goals. Therefore, information on impact adaptation to climate change and vulnerability research is required to develop specific, action-oriented, interdisciplinary, successful, sociopolitical and democratic reform for the entire population of a country. This condition requires large inclusion of environmental researchers, institutions, re-inventing of research structures and ideas to dominate the global environmental change research and the critical analysis of present decision making, power, structure and related information structures. This review presents the effect of climate change in Nigeria and encourages adaptation research with challenging innovation, such as the use of energy-efficient renewable energy sources to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This paper also highlighted the need for researchers to become detailed, action oriented and multiscalar and to attend communications structure problems in enhancing the environmental activity.

The global quest for sustainable development has dramatically increased in our modern times and this raises the issues of a sustainable economic development and growth. Therefore, sustainable energy has become one of the most promising means of handling the challenges of energy demand problems of many consumers worldwide. However, solar energy is a clean energy source and thus power generation through this energy source imposes little or no environmental hazards. Unlike most conventional source of power generation and even some renewables like wind energy technologies, PV technologies generate no noise though the inverter systems could produce a system humming noise which is normally absorbed by the domestic noise background. The research aim is to assess the problems and prospects of achieving sustainable energy in Nigeria through photo voltaic (PV) technology. Descriptive and correlation research design was used in this research work. The population of the study comprises of selected practitioners in top five (5) solar firms in Nigeria, such as Ecozar Technologies, Leks Environmental Ltd Lagos, Wavetra Energy Ltd Lagos, Solar Force Nigeria PLC Abuja, Astrum Energy Solutions Enugu. A sample of 136 respondents was randomly drawn from the population of the study using a purposive sampling procedure. Data was obtained through questionnaire survey. Oral interview was also used to get more information from the respondents. Questionnaires were distributed to the relevant staff in accordance with the sample size. The data analysis was carried out using multiple regression and correlation methods. The test was conducted at 0.05 level of significance. A computer software based multiple regression analysis called statistical program for social science (SPSS) version 21 was used in the data analysis. The study reveals that technical challenges and economic and financial challenges are the most striking barriers to sustainable energy in Nigeria. The study recommends that Nigerian Government should invest in the development of Nigerian made PV panels which will contribute to the Nations GDP and GNI. These panels will also be exported and foreign exchange will flow into Nigeria's economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a user-oriented software tool for simulation of a solar energy-based hydrogen production system. The developed tool goes beyond the realm of electric load and includes a hydrogen cooking load facility, as an efficient means of utilising the hydrogen produced. A model rural household in Nigeria has been used to evaluate the tool. It was found that a 2.42 kW solar photovoltaic module, 0.6 kW electrolyser and 3.7 kWh battery would be enough to provide steady 24-h power for a modest daily energy demand of 2.2 kWh. In the results, the excess energy realised was used in a H2-cooker to partly meet the estimated 1.9 kWh/day cooking demand of the household over a simulated year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of high energy demand caused by rapid population growth, renewable energy is required in the energy mix for the sustainability of both human and industrial development. This paper investigates the potential of extracting heat energy from abandoned oil and gas wells for electricity production. Four wells located in the Niger Delta were considered. Each well has its properties and steam flow rates. The geothermal reservoir was modeled as a liquid-vapor-dominated system at in situ reservoir conditions. The fluid temperature in the reservoir was determined to be 170oC in the reservoir. Equations describing geothermal resource potentials, energy flow in a wellbore, and gross electrical power production using turbines were presented. A Single-flash turbine system was used because steam was produced in the reservoir. MATLAB software was used in the simulation of the heat transfer process. The results showed that the geothermal energy corresponding to the reservoir considered was 2.45 x 1012 Joules. The electricity production result showed that there was a reduction in gross electrical power output due to an increase in sink temperature, while the relationship between gross electrical power output and separator temperature was such that there was an initial increase in gross electrical power output due to an increase in separator pressure until an optimum point was reached wherein further increase in separator pressure progressively decreased the value of the gross electrical power output. The optimum separator temperatures for well 1, well 2, well 3, and well 4 were 120oC, 120oC, 110oC, and 105oC respectively at a sink temperature of 45oC. Because of the high reservoir pressure used, the separator pressure was higher than the actual reservoir pressure. Proper understanding of heat flow which enables accurate estimation of heat production is necessary to maximize heat extraction from the reservoir. The simulation conducted reveals that geothermal resources holds great potentials for electrical energy generation and should be put to developmental use in Nigeria as a means to increase the total power generation and increase the portion of renewables in Nigeria energy value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing problems associated with global climate change due to the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere call for serious concerns. This scenario has necessitated the need for a shift from the use of fossil fuels to renewable energy to curtail the impact of climate change on the environment. The study was conducted to assess the potential and variability of climatic and other natural resources for renewable energy and evaluation of public perception of the energy transition process in Rivers State Nigeria. The climate data was obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) from 2000 and 2023 and analyzed using the Linear Regression Model while data on public perception was generated from structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The outcome of the Regression and ANOVA analysis were generally significant for both the natural resources and residents of the study area. Also, 65.7% of the respondents affirmed that the available natural resources are viable and suitable for energy transition. The significant and positive relationship of the different climatic elements in the study signposts huge potential for the renewable energy transition in the study area. The perception of residents was positive and showed excellent knowledge of the abundance of natural resources for the energy transition. It is therefore recommended that the Rivers State government should partner with the private sector to increase investment in energy infrastructure for improved environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-increasing demand for electrical power in Nigeria, coupled with a limited supply, have restricted the nation's socioeconomic development. The country's policymakers, aware of this, have formulated and enacted energy development policies in recent years targeted at diversifying the current electricity mix and increasing electrification to rural settlements. Despite these efforts, electricity infrastructure projects have been sidelined, power outages are common and grid unreliability is costing industry significant amounts to secure the electricity supply necessary for business sustainability and profitability. This paper presents the current state of the electricity industry in Nigeria and argues the case for integration of renewable energy technologies. A case study is presented based on electricity cost information collected from a survey of Nigerian industry. Three future electricity supply scenarios are presented: a do-nothing or business-as-usual scenario; a scenario of increased reliance on grid power due to improvements in reliability; and a scenario involving shifting some of the current diesel on-site generation to solar photovoltaics. It is shown that increasing the utilization of renewable sources could significantly reduce the costs and CO2 emissions incurred due to the current reliance on self-generation, primarily using diesel generators, amidst grid unreliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known fact that the rate of industrial growth of any country is a function of the amount of energy available in that country and the extent to which this energy is utilized. The burning of fossil fuels to generate energy is a dirty process. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result when fossil fuels are produced and consumed and these emissions contribute to climate change. Nigeria as a country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because its economy is mainly dependent on income generated from the production, processing, export and/or consumption of fossil fuels and its associated energy-intensive products. Hence, it is on this premise that this paper is researched to review the energy sources being used in Nigeria and investigate its impact to climate change. Findings reveal Nigeria's over-dependence on fossil-generated energy with associated adverse environmental effects, among other things. Recommendations for the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria's energy mix, beyond other measures, have been offered, especially with reference to the salient environmental benefits that accrue to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest in the application of microgrids around the world because of their potential for achieving a flexible, reliable, efficient and smart electrical grid system and supplying energy to off-grid communities, including their economic benefits. Several research studies have examined the application issues of microgrids. However, a lack of in-depth considerations for the enabling planning conditions has been identified as a major reason why microgrids fail in several off-grid communities. This development requires research efforts that consider better strategies and framework for sustainable microgrids in remote communities. This paper first presents a comprehensive review of microgrid technologies and their applications. It then proposes the STEEP model to examine critically the failure factors based on the social, technical, economic, environmental and policy (STEEP) perspectives. The model details the key dimensions and actions necessary for addressing the challenge of microgrid failure in remote communities. The study uses remote communities within Nigeria, West Africa, as case studies and demonstrates the need for the STEEP approach for better understanding of microgrid planning and development. Better insights into microgrid systems are expected to address the drawbacks and improve the situation that can lead to widespread and sustainable applications in off-grid communities around the world in the future. The paper introduces the sustainable planning framework (SPF) based on the STEEP model, which can form a general basis for planning microgrids in any remote location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity through low-carbon energy development in the Nigerian energy sector is fundamental to ensuring energy security. Currently, efforts to harness the potential of renewable energy, to provide universal electricity access for all have not translated into significant economic development in Nigeria. Investment in green hydrogen could strengthen Nigeria's net-zero transition plan (NETP) and achieve sustainable energy access. The study explored the role of green hydrogen among five Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), from three geopolitical zones in Nigeria—North West, North Central, and North East. A bottom-up optimization linear programming methodology based on an open energy modelling framework (OEMOF) was used as the modelling paradigm. Secondary data mined from the Nigeria Energy Commission, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NECAL 2050 report and international reports, and 2020 was used as a reference year to benchmark the model. The basic characteristics of the generation of electricity from green hydrogen, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and hydrogen storage, among other existing generation plants, were modelled till 2060 using modelled daily data obtained from Toktarova et al. (Electrical Power and Energy Systems 111:160–181, 2019). Outcomes from benchmarking led to two planning scenarios; these investigated possible insights that explored green hydrogen in Nigeria. Results showed that an integrated distributed approach would enhance harnessing green hydrogen in Nigeria, that is, electricity distribution among the DisCos. The study also revealed the following (1) the levelized cost of electricity could drop by about 8%, so also the cost of the investment; (2) access to electricity showed an improvement compared to the base year; and (3) emissions were cut in the power sector. To attain sustainable NETP with green hydrogen, the study recommends that a distributed generation approach among DisCos would support the national net-zero transition plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global anthropogenic activities resulting in the emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere have increased the challenges faced from climate change. The greater awareness of the need to mitigate climate variability has brought about intense focus on the adverse impacts of fossil-fuel based energy on the environment. Being the single largest source of carbon emissions, energy supply has attracted much attention and more so that, climate change impacts extend beyond national boundaries. Since energy use is sine qua non to economic development, scientists have reiterated the necessity of developing and utilising renewable energy. Although, past and present CO 2 emissions have and are majorly caused by industrialized countries, it is envisaged that future GHGs emissions would be mostly from developing countries as they industrialize. Renewable energy sources that include biomass, hydroelectric, wind, solar and hydrothermal systems, are carbon-neutral, releasing relatively no emissions. This paper discusses the initiatives associated with the provision of renewable energy to the energy mix in Nigeria as an indication of the country’s commitment to adopt a sustainable development strategy in shaping the economy. It reviews the literature and employs a discourse analysis to examine the limited use of renewable energy sources in Nigeria and the factors prevailing against their development. The paper concludes by identifying social and political obstacles as most significant roadblocks towards rapid implementation of a green economy through the deployment of renewable energy for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to electricity has been linked to improved livelihood, education, health, economic growth and overall poverty reduction. Yet, most people living without electricity or with unreliable electricity access are in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Whilst the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria suffers from severe power outages, forcing many residents to seek self-generation options. By far the most adopted option has been diesel generators which have a relatively low initial investment cost but carry health and environmental risks. Solar photovoltaic systems are a viable alternative, but the higher initial investment is a barrier for many Nigerians. This paper addresses making cleaner electricity through solar PV more attainable, increasing access to more reliable power, and reducing or eliminating the use of diesel generators. It proposes a pathway for securing residential solar PV systems at no additional cost through fuel savings and effective policy. Leveraging real data from a monitoring campaign in Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria, results show an opportunity to reduce or eliminate the use of diesel generators. Furthermore, financial analysis of the home solar PV option shows a cost savings of 60–65% over the project life compared to the traditional use of diesel generators for backup power generation. • Solar PV can greatly reduce or eliminate the use of diesel generators in Nigeria. • Financing based on fuel savings is a practical and implementable approach. • Replacing diesel generators with solar PV leads to savings as high as 65%. • Effective government policy is key to the adoption and diffusion of solar PV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity generation in rural communities is an acute problem militating against socioeconomic well-being of the populace in these communities in developing countries, including Nigeria. In this paper, assessments of wind-energy potential in selected sites from three major geopolitical zones of Nigeria were investigated. For this, daily wind-speed data from Katsina in northern, Warri in southwestern and Calabar in southeastern Nigeria were analysed using the Gumbel and the Weibull probability distributions for assessing wind-energy potential as a renewable/sustainable solution for the country's rural-electrification problems. Results showed that the wind-speed models identified Katsina with higher wind-speed class than both Warri and Calabar that were otherwise identified as low wind-speed sites. However, econometrics of electricity power simulation at different hub heights of low wind-speed turbine systems showed that the cost of electric-power generation in the three study sites was converging to affordable cost per kWh of electric energy from the wind resource at each site. These power simulations identified cost/kWh of electricity generation at Kaduna as €0.0507, at Warri as €0.0774, and at Calabar as €0.0819. These bare positive implications on renewable/sustainable rural electrification in the study sites even as requisite options for promoting utilization of this viable wind-resource energy in the remote communities in the environs of the study sites were suggested.

This study presents a meticulous examination of the solar energy potential of five selected metropolitan cities (Abakaliki, Awka, Enugu, Owerri, and Umuahia) in Eastern part of Nigeria using deep learning algorithm, specifically the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model. These cities, despite being characterized by extended rainy seasons and a high level of cloudiness, are suitable environment for solar power generation and investment opportunities. The employed methodology capitalized on the LSTM deep learning approach to analyze and predict energy generation, utilizing comprehensive hourly weather data from the National Airspace Agency (NASA). The data set comprised various parameters, such as date/time, solar azimuth angle, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover, and power, enabling a thorough analysis of each city. To ensure accuracy, energy prediction capabilities were benchmarked against real-time datasets from a solar power plant in Ulsan, South Korea, thereby training and fine-tuning the model for precision. The LSTM model's performance metrics were maintained at a learning rate of 0.07, a batch size of 150, and a train-test split ratio of 0.8 to 0.2. Data validation exhibited a mean square error (MSE) of 0.01, demonstrating the model's reliability. Results showed Enugu as having the highest solar energy potential, averaging 6.25 kWh/day, while Awka registered the most substantial electricity demand across various sectors. These findings highlight the substantial potential for photovoltaic (PV) power systems and advocate for the immediate implementation of renewable energy policy in the selected cities. These are expected to bring about significant implications for future renewable energy environmentally friendly investments in Nigeria and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is evident that out of the 1.3 billion people worldwide that lack access to electric energy are rural dwellers. Furthermore, the majority of them are living in rural areas of developing countries which are often remote, dispersed populated, and categorized by pitiable infrastructure and services. Given this, the rising contemplation concerning the target of worldwide access to energy has stressed the role of rural electrification and off-grid hybrid power generation system. To this effect, the present work focuses on the overview of rural electrification programs in Nigeria and offers a general framework. The Mini-grid Value Chain for the effective implementation of mini-grid projects was developed. Furthermore, to overcome the issue of affordability of cost of energy in rural areas of the country and to promote sustainability of the off-grid electrification projects, an Improved Local Electrification Committee Model (ILEC) was developed. The main aim of this is to guarantee the reliability of the power supply network to the off-grid rural areas and also to overcome the major demerit of the overall high initial capital cost that is associated with the establishment of mini-grid projects for off-grid rural electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Increasing demands for energy, growing environmental concerns and the constraints of conventional energy sources have generated the need for public education on renewable energy, and the need for government policy to embrace renewable energy technologies. This paper is based on a previous study that explored the beliefs, perceptions and attitudes of the Nigerian public to renewable energy technologies so as to derive implications for science and technology policy and education in the country. A sequential mixed-method approach was employed in the study. First, a survey with close-ended questions was administered to 600 randomly selected participants from Ibadan, Akobo and Asi. This was followed by four focus group interviews held with 23 purposefully selected participants from the study. Statistical and thematic analyses were conducted. The results show that the participants have a low-level knowledge of renewable energy technologies. There is also no relationship between the educational level of the participants and their knowledge of renewable energy technologies. The majority of the participants were not aware of sustainable development. The outcome of this study underscores the need to widen the nation's science and technology policies as well as its educational curriculum to incorporate themes addressing renewable energy and sustainable livelihood. Highlights • There is a general low level knowledge of renewable energy technologies among the participants with the males having a higher score than the females. • There is no relationship between renewable energy knowledge and the educational level of participants. • Many of the participants are not aware of greenhouse emissions and sustainable development. • The majority of the participants got their information about renewable energy technologies from the television. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria's per capital emission figures and aggregated greenhouse gases concentration are projected to grow exponentially under the normal economic growth scenario. Climate system interference and declining productive arable land questions the capability of existing natural resource stock to support a projected population in excess of 300 million by 2050. Stabilizing greenhouse gases emission and preserving the ecosystem sustainability requires confronting every scale of environmental degradation through robust and resilient green-growth strategies. Formulating adaptation and mitigations strategies for deploying innovative low carbon policies, yet institutional framework with legislative backing and non-governmental actors are germane in mobilising wholescale solutions to overcome bottlenecks affecting immediate and long-term transition to low-carbon climate change resilient society. With the desirability of attaining its voluntary NDC, the feasibility of navigating pathways centred on the political thrust, inclusive diplomacy and proven policies to address developmental challenges, submission/attainments can be skewed to interpretations linked to partisan manifestos if independent third-party assessments are lacking. Synthesizing this paper will reveal Nigeria performance through a broad systematic data evaluation to accentuate contextual interpretations, national milestones, gaps and how impacts are localized on the subnational structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a solar PV powered DC microgrid is proposed and designed for Umuokpo Amumara in Nigeria with 800 households and a number of community installations which include churches, schools, shops, and a water pumping system. The appropriate sizes of system components are determined to meet the all-time load demand. A Techno-economic feasibility study was carried out in Homer Pro to determine the energy needs of the community and as well the system size and configuration that best suits the community. The energy requirement of the community was obtained to be 3.16MWh/day. The battery storage system was also sized in this work and a battery system capacity of 21,944Ah was able to meet the community energy requirement for up to a day without renewable energy supply. The dynamic model of proposed the microgrid was simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK to observe the system's dynamic response in view of the power quality, load impact, and battery storage charging. The results obtained from the simulation depicted a stand-alone DC microgrid that is capable of meeting the daily electrical energy requirements of the system with good voltage stability. The PV system used in the system could function at maximum power conditions even with variation in the weather conditions. This was achieved by employing the Incremental Conductance MPPT system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Nigeria, high and outrageous energy cost constitutes a serious challenge to all aspects of the economy. And this has been a subject of concern in the country over a period of time. A dependable and renewable energy source is of utmost desire to strengthen the nation's economy and this urgent need cannot be overlooked. As a result of the erratic and expensive power supply to the national grid, it has become ultimately necessary to search for other inexpensive sources of energy to meet the ever increasing energy needs for rural and urban dwellers. In view of the above energy situation in Nigeria, this paper aimed at carrying out a comprehensive review on bioenergy technology option as a pathway to achieving sustainable energy development in the country. The potential, current progressive stages, and prospects of bioenergy conversion techniques, in the Nigeria context, are discussed. The barriers to bioenergy technology development in Nigeria with possible solutions are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy supply is majorly determined by the model adopted in a particular economy, which captures the basic features and conditions of that economy. Usually, inadequate capacity of developing countries in putting in place these energy models make them dependent on assistance from developed countries in this regard; though in most cases there are experiences of dissonance. The Nigerian Energy Calculator 2050 (NECAL2050) is one such model developed by Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) with technical assistance from the Department for Energy and Climate Change of the United Kingdom. This paper analyses the modelling structure of NECAL2050 and details some of the most important locally existing as well as changing conditions in Nigeria (such as agricultural demand for energy and the role of renewables) that the model fails to include. In light of this, an alternative modelling structure (Optimal- Mix-Model) is proposed, which includes the missing ingredients and Nigeria's local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria, at the 2021 Conference of Parties (COP26) meeting in Glasgow announced a commitment to transitioning her carbon economy to reach net-zero by 2060. One year after, the country's drive for carbon neutrality is shrouded with uncertainties despite numerous policies targeted at it. This study employed the Multilevel Perspective (MLP) and PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) analytical framework to assess the politics of low-carbon transition in Nigeria. We used a triangulation of literature review, document analysis, and survey to build the theoretical, historical, and empirical bases for the enquiry. The findings show that the current low-carbon transition process is characterised by few potential drivers and many barriers with critical uncertainty effects. The key drivers are: Nigeria's potentials for carbon sink/nature-based solutions; vast renewable energy resources; strong niche market demand; and huge opportunities for employment in the renewable energy sector. The major barriers are: poor management of the energy regime; weak infrastructural base; dependence on global climate fund; fossil fuel-based economy; cost of renewable energy options; and impacts of climate change, among others. The barriers with critical impacts outweigh the potential drivers at the ratio of 4:1 thereby playing greater role in characterizing Nigeria's transition pathway as the 'reconfiguration transition pathway' within the 'emergent transformation context.' Therefore, unless the identified regime barriers are eliminated, the current transition pathway may not deliver the low-carbon targets. Considering the huge mitigation potentials of Nigeria's vast forests and natural ecosystem for carbon sink, the study recommends investment in nature-based solutions in synergy with energy system management as the most convenient and cost-effective pathway to attaining carbon neutrality by 2060. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy poverty, insecurity and vulnerability are issues facing energy accessibility in Sub-Saharan Africa, SSA. These among other things have been exacerbated as a result of climate change, environmental impacts, and capital costs. Hence, meeting the per capita energy demand in SSA is very difficult. In this study, we investigated the potential of integrating floating solar photovoltaic panels and wind farms for sustainable energy generation in an existing hydropower station in Nigeria. The mix of renewable energy will enable conservation and reuse of water, reduce the energy carbon footprint, and lower start-up costs. Using a novel Open standalone application package within the open energy modelling framework (oemof) group, feedinlib, the energy production from both floating photovoltaic and wind turbine systems was evaluated from 2016 to 2019. The deployment of floating photovoltaic on 0.05% of the Kainji reservoir was found to generate as much as 50% of the installed capacity of the hydropower. Our results suggest that increasing the coverage area of the floating photovoltaic system can generate sufficient energy to meet about 70% of the country's energy needs. The mix of photovoltaic and wind turbine systems was found to play complementary roles in meeting the per capita energy needs. Based on these findings, SSA can achieve sustainable energy goals by investing in renewable energy. Increasing the output of hydropowe stations using hybrid renewable energy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Nigeria, the rapid population increase and the overreliance on fossil fuel have created significant environmental, health, political, and economic consequences leading to severe socio-economic drawbacks. These factors have developed a wide gap between energy demand and supply due to insufficient local production, necessitating a clean energy supply for all. The photovoltaic device's economic and environmental merits have made it the most suitable clean energy alternative to help developing countries such as Nigeria achieve the SDG-7. However, apart from the device's low efficiency, which is undergoing intensive study globally, other factors affect the penetration of the technology in developing countries, particularly Nigeria. This report systematically reviews the literature on the country's energy crisis and renewable energy potential, leading to an overview of solar energy potential and penetration. The potential of the technology and its penetration in the country were provided. A list highlighting challenges hindering technology penetration was also provided, and a solution for each was recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the relationship between carbon footprint and economic growth in Nigeria and Ghana over the period between 1990 and 2020 (31 years). The carbon footprint related variables used in the study include greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy consumption, electricity consumption and trade openness. These variables have been regressed against gross domestic product per capita (a proxy for economic growth). The fully modified least square and panel dynamic least square have been employed for the main analysis of the study. The findings have revealed that greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy consumption have a significant negative effect on economic growth in Nigeria and Ghana, while electricity consumption and trade openness have insignificant positive and negative relationships with economic growth respectively. The study recommends, among others, that the governments should initiate a carbon pricing law which should be implemented through tax policy specifically on the emissions from burning of biomass which consist of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the combustion of biomass in forest areas as well as carbon dioxide gas from the combustion of organic soils. High taxes will deter indiscriminate bush burning among others, resulting in lower environmental pollution and degradation. This measure will help reduce adverse greenhouse gas emissions and positively impact economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grid electricity generation in Nigeria has been unstable for a long time now. With respect to her continued dependence on oil and gas and seasonal variations on water level for hydropower, immediate reliable and steady electricity generation in the country is not guaranteed. Incorporating alternative source of energy like solar is a solution. Solar Chimney technology is not yet technically and economically mature, as investment on it is still low, thereby posing more financial risks at least at the megawatt capacity. Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal technologies are technically and economically more established, but they can only ensure 24-h power supply with the aid of energy storage systems. Solar thermal value addition is on its propensity for thermal energy storage and hybridization with liquid fuels at commercial capacity. Hence, due to technology advancement and the country's high direct normal irradiation potential, concentrating solar power is the more suitable solar power technology for commercial electricity generation in Nigeria. In this paper, concentrating solar power technologies are analysed under operational, environmental and social conditions in Nigeria using data from desktop survey to determine the most suitable technology for solar thermal electric power plant. It is observed that the technical maturity of parabolic trough concentrator distinguishes it for preference to all other technologies and would exert moderate pressure on land requirement even though, it is the most expensive and water demanding technology. In terms of unit cost of electricity and water usage capabilities, parabolic dish concentrator is least expensive and uses least water but lacks proven commercial application. Solar tower is technically simpler and possesses better thermodynamic properties than the rest but its low installed capacity increases its financing risk. Hence, the trough system is the most suitable for immediate and medium term projects given its proven technology maturity and flexible financing mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deployments of renewable energy technologies in the current century represent a critical approach to sustainable development. Renewable energy can be generated from sources with the backdrop to restock themselves based on timescale. The most important sources of renewable energy include solar photovoltaic conversion technologies, biomass and biofuel energy systems, wind energy turbines, geothermal energy technologies and hydroelectric power systems. Considerable investment in renewable energy in a country can lower the nation's dependency on imported fuels and purchase of energy from foreign market. It also drives technological innovation and generate employment scheme while enhancing clean development mechanism. Consequently, this paper presents the existing renewable energy technologies in the Nigeria and as well makes some critical recommendations to further induce development of renewable and sustainable energy systems based on autonomous energy systems and microgrid (µgrid) technologies. The recommendations are made based on varieties of energy technologies for solar power generation, biomass and bioenergy, wind energy, hydropower generation and the combined generation systems using hybrid energy mechanism. The structure of the study is concluded based on suggestions on how to pursue some impending socio-political, technological, investment policy and legislative issues for effective renewable energy development in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is the basic tool that drives industrialization, technological advancement, engineering transformation and economic growth all over the world. The situation of Nigeria's electricity power sector is one that has defied virtually every effort made to resurrect it from its state of dilapidation. A major concern is “can there ever be stable and cost effective electricity in Nigeria?” The authors are positive this can be realised, but not without considering other forms of electricity energy resources available in Nigeria other than the conventional sources of electricity which is currently the mainstay. A deliberate transition from conventional sources of electricity energy to renewable and environmental friendly sources is critical for national development, even though recent development show the Nigerian government is backsliding in adopting renewable energy technologies. This paper will be used to highlight the different sources of renewable energy which is critical to solve the lingering problem of electricity generation in Nigeria. Hence, based on the literature, modeled scenarios and field experience, the authors discovered it is much easier for individuals to drive this transition to 100% renewable energy than to continue to depend on government forever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines conditions and pathways that explain variation in the adoption of renewable energy (RE) in Nigeria's 36 states based on a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis. Using three analytical lenses proposed by the multi-level socio-technical theory (niches, regimes, and landscapes), we examine RE adoption in these states. While all three lenses explain variation to some extent, a combination of regime and landscape characteristics, enables states to overcome dependence on oil while triggering the adoption of RE. States with high income and a regime featuring institutions and coalitions supporting transitions establish themselves as pioneers. States with medium/low income and a regime characterised by a weak pro-RE political coalition support emerge as laggards. Hence we conclude that the role of the regime and particularly political actors therein, is central in energy transition processes among Nigerian states. This has implications for future transition attempts in Nigeria and developing (rentier) countries, generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geospatial and multi-criteria decision-making techniques are applied to process and analyse datasets for determining suitable areas for multiple utility-scale solar photovoltaic farms in the city of Akure, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. Data processed include local electric power distribution system data, Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission elevation data, Landsat 8 and solar global horizontal irradiance. Multi-criteria decision-making techniques adopted are the analytical hierarchy process, reclassification, and overlay. These techniques were carried out considering criteria for siting solar photovoltaic farms. Criteria considered in this study are climate, topography, economic, environmental impact operational and technical while sub-criteria are solar global horizontal irradiance, slope, proximity and land cover. The outcome of the study shows that the study area covering a total extent of ~33,200 ha, 15%, 8%, 13% and 64% are highly suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, and unsuitable respectively for siting utility-scale solar photovoltaic farms within the study area. The study reveals the potential of multiple utility-scale solar photovoltaic farms in the study area. However, the proportions of areas suitable for solar photovoltaic farms are quite lower compared to findings from similar studies conducted in northwestern Nigeria. The study recommends solar photovoltaic sources as an alternative energy source in and around the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The further development of sub-Saharan Africa is hinged on the possibility of the provision of uninterrupted power supply. Agriculture, education, and the economy in general are greatly affected by the power outage that has become difficult to comprehend. The energy system is inauspicious that only one in five inhabitant has access to electricity. Having electricity is necessary. Having access to clean energy is crucial. For example, a large number of people in Nigeria have electrical generators that release toxic fumes detrimental to the human health. Utilizing clean energy is considered the way of the future and to do that strategically locating the generating plants is important. Therefore, the introduction of solar parks (SPs) as well as solar and wind-assisted parks (SWAPs) on a wide scale is worthy of consideration since it yields an effective way of generating clean energy. This paper presents the application of a location model for SPs and SWAPs from a country's perspective. In particular, we focus on Nigeria and Ghana. The power supply infrastructure of both countries, as well as the policies surrounding the provision of off-grid energy are analyzed in depth. We present the advantages and disadvantages of two different methods (the grid approach and the problem owner method). We choose a hybrid approach by combining the grid and the problem owner method (POM). We apply the grid method to regions with high population density and utilize the POM for less populated areas. Furthermore, we take into account power plants that are operational or will be so in the near future. In the above fashion we design two separate, capacitated networks of SPs and SWAPs, one for Ghana, one for Nigeria. Each of these is powerful enough to cover-in a sustainable way-the energy requirement of the majority of households by a facility within reasonable distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa is blessed with abundant energy sources that can promote economic growth and provide sufficient capacity to meet up with the future electricity demand. This paper evaluates the progress made in renewable energy (RE) development in Nigeria and Cameroon together with the roadmaps for future implementation. Since the early 2000, Nigeria has identified RE as an additional source to improve electrical power generation, while Cameroon is yet to have a defined policy for RE development. Presently, in both countries, RE is being developed for empowering the local economies, but the RE incorporation to the national grid is yet to be implemented at a greater scale. Since Nigeria and Cameroon have similar climatic conditions, they can benefit from each other through greater cooperation in the RE sector. For the two countries, there is high solar irradiation and excellent wind speed that can be effectively utilized for electricity generation. For all these to benefit both nations, there is a greater need for good leadership and good governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Due to the advancement and wide adoption/application of solar‐based technologies, the prediction of solar irradiance has attracted research attention in recent years. In this study, the predictive performance of machine learning models is compared with that of deep learning models for both global solar radiation (GSR) and diffuse solar radiation (DSR) prediction. Different studies have proposed the use of different models for solar radiation prediction. While some used machine learning models, the use of deep learning algorithms were considered by others. Although these algorithms were concluded to be appropriate for solar radiation prediction, variation in their performances brings about an intriguing quest to compare and determine the most appropriate algorithm. The three most common deep learning models in the literature namely; artificial neural network, convolutional neural network, and recurrent neural network (RNN) are considered within the scope of this study. Also, two traditional machine learning models namely polynomial regression and support vector regression (SVR) is considered as well as an ensemble machine learning model called random forest. These models have been applied to four different locations in Nigeria and the typical meteorological year data for 12 years in an hourly time step was used to train/test the model developed. Results from this study show that deep learning models have a better GSR and DSR prediction accuracy in comparison to machine learning models. However, the duration for training and testing the machine learning models (except SVR) is shorter than that of deep learning models making it more desirable for low computational applications. The application of RNN for GSR prediction in Yobe (with an r value of 0.9546 and root means square error/mean absolute error of 82.22 W/m2/36.52 W/m2) had the overall best model performance of all the models developed in this study. This study contributes to the existing literature in this field as it highlights the disparities between machine learning and deep learning algorithms application for solar radiation forecast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solar bifacial photovoltaic (PV) module is designed so that it permits the addition of the back electrode to the prevailing silicon PV on the front side. Hence, it has the ability to harvest energy using its front and back faces. This study presents an optimization model for calculating the extra energy yield (EY) that can be harvested from the backside of a bifacial PV module using the Firefly Algorithm (FA). Mathematical modelling of the various parameters that influence the extra EY of the backside of a bifacial module was carried out using SIMULINK. Moreover, the mathematical model of the EY of the module was also carried out and then optimized using FA. The optimization model was confined to two orientation states namely the vertical south–north and vertical east–west at Ogbomosho (8.1227° N, 4.2436° E), Nigeria, with different values of albedo and mounting heights. The simulation result shows that the vertical east–west oriented modules outperform the vertical south–north oriented modules in terms of the EY generated. The result also showed that the maximum value of the EY is harvested at a mounting height of 1 m above the ground with row spacing of 2.5 m and a tilt angle of 25 degrees. Therefore, an optimal selection of the mounting surface (albedo) and mounting elevation values can harvest an extra EY of 5 to 45 per cent and help minimize the cost of energy generated using bifacial PV modules for electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the potential depletion of fossil fuels and the need for the shift from its use to combat the aggravated impacts of climate change, the unsustainable use of these conventional fuels has been widely recognized. This has prompted commercialization of biofuels as an alternative sustainable fuel. This study summarizes the potential of third‐generation biomass feedstocks, algae, for biofuel production on the example of Nigeria, where most biofuel plants still use first‐ and second‐generation feedstocks, which have led to food and land mass competition. It is shown that the production and consumption of third‐generation biofuel is at its infancy in the country. It was also found that the climatic conditions in Nigeria are conducive for the cultivation of microalgae, which are the primary sources of the third‐generation biofuel, even though there are barriers such as inadequate reliable resource database for investment decisions and technical expertise to develop and deploy biofuels in commercial form. The large population of Nigeria is a potential market for biofuel, therefore, commercialization of the third‐generation biofuel can be a viable alternative energy source to conventional fossil fuels and it can generate employment for many in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues linked to climate change and global warming have been at the center stage of discussion all over the world. This is due to their magnitude and a broader scope of consequences. The catastrophic effects of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2, CO, water vapor, and ozone, coupled with other artificially induced chemicals like CFCs have shifted weather patterns across the globe, thereby threatening the environment unpleasantly. In Nigeria, the unprecedented utilization of fossil-based fuels as the main energy source for electricity, transportation, industrial, agricultural, and domestic purposes is one of the contributory factors of climate change. As a result, air pollution, land spills by oil, and increasing heatwaves negatively impacted the ecosystem by intimidating the environment, counteracting biodiversity, decelerating the economy, and provoking human comfort while simultaneously antagonizing socio-economic growth and sustainable development. Recently, the abrupt seizure of rainfall in northern Nigeria left many farmlands burning while many other places where been wiped out by heavy flooding. These scenarios have heightened food shortage, economic hardship and rendered thousands homeless. Thus, the government needs to intensify the campaign for afforestation by planting many trees to support green conservation of biodiversity and unleash the huge potentials of renewable energy resources in the country, as the plausible options to remediate the lingering energy failure and ravaging effects of climate changes. Therefore, this short review of communications X-rayed some recent devasting incidences caused by climate change, its impacts on various sectors, and the need to explore renewable energy resources in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]