Papers by Williams Ebhota
IJRED (International Journal of Renewable Energy Development), Apr 16, 2024
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Energy Systems
Despite the successes recorded over the years, photovoltaic (PV) cells’ power conversion efficien... more Despite the successes recorded over the years, photovoltaic (PV) cells’ power conversion efficiency (PCE) of commercially available crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV panels still hovers between 10 and 21%. For optimal performance at 17–21% PCE, certain factors need to be understood and addressed. This study estimates the solar PV potential of selected cities across Africa, using computational modelling. The selected sites’ cities are Abuja, Addis Ababa, Kinshasa, Pretoria, and Tripoli. Sites’ coordinate systems will be exploited to generate data from meteorological databases of the selected locations needed for the PV potential assessment. This information coupled with PV system configuration will be used as inputs for PV design and simulation. The PV potential of the selected location will be extracted from the resulting simulation reports in terms of irradiance, possible power output generation, performance ratio (PR) and capacity factor (CF). The study results and analysis as extract...
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Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, Mar 23, 2023
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and other parts of the Global South are richly endowed with renewable en... more Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and other parts of the Global South are richly endowed with renewable energy resources (RERs) that are grossly untapped. The integration of these resources, such as hydro, wind, solar, and biomass will facilitate the desired net zero-CO2-emissions economy. If these RERs are adequately harnessed, the perennial power supply challenges in the region will be resolved, and the negative power supply narrative changed. Presently, a greater percentage of the population without access to electricity live in the Global South with SSA having the highest share. This inadequacy has been attributed to many factors, which include lack of connection to the national grid; lack of adequate technical capacities to design and manufacture efficient power generation and transmission components and systems; insufficient funds; unreliable, limited, and poor energy data. A comprehensive study of the renewable energy potential (REP) and technologies in the Global South is imperative ...
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International Review of Civil Engineering (IRECE), 2019
This study aims at developing design charts for sizing of the water channelling system of SHP, us... more This study aims at developing design charts for sizing of the water channelling system of SHP, using both theoretical and empirical relations. The focus is to make the design of SHP civil features quick, devoid of under or over design, and to minimize capital cost without compromising safety. A low head range of 0-20 m and channel flow velocities of 1.2 m/s, 1.3 m/s and 1.4 m/s will be utilised. The range of flowrate considered for both orifice and headrace channel is 0-1.5 m/s2. Linear relations were used to make the design and evaluation of SHP components for water transportation to the turbine station at certain flowrates simple. The study observed that it would be more economical to use the theoretical relations than the empirical ones in the design of penstocks and other water channelling components. However, the components perform less in terms of safety and lifetime to those designed with empirical relations.
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International Journal of Mechanical and Production Engineering Research and Development, 2021
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International Journal of Renewable Energy Development
This study conducts optimum tilt angle and orientation of a standalone c-Si monocrystalline solar... more This study conducts optimum tilt angle and orientation of a standalone c-Si monocrystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) system deploying PVsyst software. The site of the hypothesized solar PV system is at 9, Mountain Rise, Berea, Durban, South Africa. This work presents values of tilt and azimuth angles and battery operating temperature that support optimal solar PV system performance. The range of angles considered for tilt and azimuth for a fixed PV panel mounting is 0° to 90° and -100° to 100°, respectively. Based on the report obtained from PVsyst design and simulation software, this study finds that: the highest available energy, specific energy, used energy, solar fraction, and lowest loss were recorded at tilt 40° and Azimuth 0°. Further, the longest battery service life was attained at an operating temperature between -2 °C to 20 °C. Hence, 40° and 0° are the optimum tilt and Azimuth angles, respectively while running the storage system at a temperature, not more than 20 °C..
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Bulletin of the National Research Centre
Background Technology is deployed to take the advantage of the ultimate energy from the sun (sola... more Background Technology is deployed to take the advantage of the ultimate energy from the sun (solar energy) to be used as heat or clean electricity. This energy is classified as “sustainable energy” or “renewable energy” because it requires a short period to naturally replenish the used energy. The application of solar energy involves the conversion of the natural energy resource into a usable form, either as heat or as electricity. The device consists of solar cells made from semiconductor materials, such as silicon, cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, and so on. Solar potential is both location- and climate-dependent; it is characterised by low energy intensity and intermittency, which limit its application; an improvement in photovoltaic (PV) system performance will facilitate more deployment of the clean electricity system. Therefore, this study provides PV potential and system information required for reliable and optimised solar PV systems at chosen locations. This work uses a...
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International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2020
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Ain Shams Engineering Journal
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U.Porto Journal of Engineering
The technical challenges that make solar photovoltaic (PV) less suitable for some applications in... more The technical challenges that make solar photovoltaic (PV) less suitable for some applications include weather conditions, low energy densities, and low conversion efficiency. However, the effects of these shortcomings can be limited through a 3-stage solar PV system assessment and performance evaluation process in this study. The system installation is on geographical coordinate -29.85°, 031.00° at Musgrave, Berea, Durban, South Africa. Four solar PV assessment, design, and simulation software applications (PV*SOL, SOLARGIS Prospect and pvPlanner, and PVsyst) were deployed. Based on the simulation reports obtained from the four software applications used, the following estimates of solar potential assessment parameters were obtained - global tilted irradiation GTI, (1890 kWh/m2); global horizontal irradiation, GHI (1684 kWh/m2); diffuse horizontal irradiation DIF, (694 kWh/m2); ambient temperature (19 °C). In addition, the following performance parameters were reported - produced e...
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The functionally graded materials (FGMs) solidification process has complicated movement phenomen... more The functionally graded materials (FGMs) solidification process has complicated movement phenomena of fluid, solute and heat. These phenomena control the segregation of particles in a molten matrix, interactions of particles with a solidification front and the integration of particles in the solidifying matrix. The desired particle distribution in a solidified component can be achieved by manipulating the time of solidification and this makes the study of particle motion during solidification important. This study involved analysis of particle/matrix configuration, solid/liquid interface shape within the vicinity of the particle, thermal conductivity and the pushing/engulfment transition. An overview of the mathematical models of centrifugal casting of FGMs is presented and these include forces acting on the particle; melt particle and solid/liquid interface forces; composite thermal conductivity; heat-transfer coefficient composites; volume fraction resolution; and, particle matrix...
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Advanced Casting Technologies, 2018
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International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 2017
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This study overviews the power status, salient barriers to adequate power access and the role of ... more This study overviews the power status, salient barriers to adequate power access and the role of small hydropower in improving power accessibility in the region. The study notes that – over 50% of the population in 41 countries in the region have no access to electricity; the prediction of electricity access growth rate in SSA from 43% in 2016 to 59% in 2030; about 607 people, which is 90% of world's population without access to electricity in 2030 will leave in the region and the rural areas access is below 20%; over 90% of the households in about 25 countries of SSA rely on waste, wood, and charcoal for cooking; the average grid power tariff in SSA is US$0.13 per kWh as against the range of US$0.04 to US$0.08 per kWh grid power tariffs in most parts of the developing world. Also, it was found that the sections of power supply system – generation, transmission and distribution facilities are affected by insufficient funding, poor maintenance and management and over dependence o...
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International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology
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African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2016
This paper presents a simplified design considerations for a propeller hydro-turbine, including t... more This paper presents a simplified design considerations for a propeller hydro-turbine, including tabulated relevant mathematical expressions of operating parameters. In the design calculation, a 2.5 m head and 0.183 m3/s flow rate were used as river data for power of 2.61 kW. A four-blade propeller with an outer diameter of 0.226 m and a hub diameter of 0.079 m was considered suitable for the low head application. Dimensionless performance parameters for various power (2–10 kW) and flow rate (0.2–0.6 m3/s) were evaluated (using constant head and rotational speed), the results were tabulated and graphs plotted. The static axial force on the blade and hub analysis was carried out and results shown satisfactory performance of aluminum 6061-T6 alloy as the blade material. Popularisation of small hydro power (SHP) design and production technology in sub-Saharan Africa through domestic capacity building will accelerate local fabrication of SHP plants and components. The study recommends that the design process be based on available materials and manufacturing facilities. The provision of SHP for rural areas, industrial estates and standalone electrification will provoke commercial and industrial activities in sub-Saharan Africa. This will consequently raise the productivity and the standard of living of the people.
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Innovative Systems Design and Engineering, 2014
The CY 80 clutch basket is a bowl-shaped gear- driven housing bolted onto the end of the clutch s... more The CY 80 clutch basket is a bowl-shaped gear- driven housing bolted onto the end of the clutch shaft and functions as the cover for clutch components assembly. The functional requirement of this part requires high strength and wear resistance characteristics. This research work focuses on the design and development of permanent mould for the production of CY 80 clutch basket using 7075 Aluminum alloy. The CY 80 clutch basket was designed using Creo Element software and manufactured by gravitational casting process using a crucible furnace. Virtual simulation of the produced component shows that the design is safe. Material analysis and further test performed by running Cy80 motorcycle engine that is coupled with the clutch basket shows that the manufactured CY 80 clutch basket performs its intended function.
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World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Biological, Biomolecular, Agricultural, Food and Biotechnological Engineering, 2017
Agriculture employs about three-quarter of Nigeria's workforce and yet food sufficiency is a ... more Agriculture employs about three-quarter of Nigeria's workforce and yet food sufficiency is a challenge in the country. This is largely due to poor and outdated pre-harvest and post-harvest farming practices. The land fallow system is still been practised as fertiliser production in the country is grossly inadequate and expensive. The few available post-harvest processing facilities are faced with ageing and are inefficient. Also, use of modern processing equipment is limited by farmers' lack of fund, adequate capacity to operate and maintain modern farming equipment. This paper, therefore, examines key barriers to agricultural products processing equipment in the country. These barriers include over-dependence on foreign technologies and expertise; poor and inadequate manufacturing infrastructure; and lack of political will by political leaders; lack of funds; and lack of adequate technical skills. This paper, however, sees the increase in the domestic manufacturing of pre-h...
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International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology
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Papers by Williams Ebhota