‘Energy storage is missing link in Nigeria’s renewable energy dream’

Tanwa Iwayemi is a master’s to PhD in Energy Engineering at the University of North Dakota and the chief operating officer for Atnesystems Energy. In this interview, she unpacks policy gaps, breakthroughs needed for Nigeria’s green transition, the role of IoT, energy storage, and smart grids in stabilising Africa’s power supply. Dipo Oladehinde brings Except

Can you share your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in renewable energy?

I hold a degree in Mathematical Science from the University of Ado Ekiti, now Ekiti State university, a Master’s in business administration from the University of the People California, U.S.A and a Masters in Energy Engineering from the University of North Dakota USA, where I am currently pursuing a PhD in the same field. I have attended many conferences on the Energy revolution across the globe. I started my career in the telecoms industry, deploying fibre optic solutions. However, my passion for sustainability and reducing carbon emissions led me to transition into renewable energy. I’m driven by the desire to contribute to a cleaner, greener future for Africa.

How did your experience in deploying fibre optic solutions for telecoms companies lead you to focus on renewable energy?

My experience in telecoms taught me the importance of a reliable energy supply. I realised that renewable energy could provide a sustainable solution for energy access in Africa. This sparked my interest in renewable energy, and I pursued further education and training to specialise in this field.

What drives your passion for renewable energy, and how do you see it impacting Nigeria and Africa’s future?

Energy is power. Without energy (which is the ability to do work), the world will be slow in its advancement. Imagine the world NOW without a source of energy. A car without fuel, an aircraft without fuel, cooking with firewood, etc. I’m passionate about renewable energy because it offers a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. I believe renewable energy can drive economic growth, reduce energy poverty, and mitigate climate change in Africa. Nigeria, with its abundant solar and wind resources, can lead the way in Africa’s renewable energy transition.

What are the biggest challenges facing the adoption of renewable energy in Nigeria, and how can they be addressed?

The biggest challenges facing renewable energy adoption in Nigeria include policy and regulatory frameworks, financing, and infrastructure. To address these challenges, we need to develop a comprehensive renewable energy policy, provide incentives for investors, and invest in grid expansion with renewable integration and modernisation.

How do you see renewable energy contributing to Nigeria’s energy mix in the next decade?

I envision renewable energy becoming a significant contributor to Nigeria’s energy mix, with solar and wind power playing a major role. With the right policies and investments, renewable energy can provide up to 30% of Nigeria’s energy needs by 2030.

What opportunities and challenges do you see for renewable energy in other African countries?

African countries have vast renewable energy resources, but face similar challenges to Nigeria, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing, and infrastructure. Opportunities exist for regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and investment in renewable energy projects.

How can Nigeria learn from developed countries’ experiences in renewable energy development?

Nigeria can learn from developed countries’ experiences in renewable energy development by studying their policies, regulations, and financing mechanisms. We can also benefit from technology transfer, capacity building, and collaboration with international partners.

Can you share your thoughts on the role of IoT and Big Data in the renewable energy sector?

IoT and Big Data play a crucial role in optimising renewable energy systems, predicting energy demand, and detecting potential faults. These technologies can improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of renewable energy projects.

How do you see smart grid technologies impacting the stability of the green energy supply in Nigeria?

Smart grid technologies can significantly improve the stability and reliability of the green energy supply in Nigeria. By enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated control, smart grids can reduce power outages, improve energy efficiency, and increase the share of renewable energy in the grid.

What advances in energy storage technology do you think will have the biggest impact on renewable energy adoption?

There are different types of energy storage like batteries, supercapacitors, flywheels, geothermal, Compressed air, pumped hydro, etc, but we are used to batteries in Nigeria. Other storage types can be explored, especially geothermal energy storage, since we have a lot of wells already dug. Nigeria can also explore advances in battery storage technology, particularly lithium-ion batteries, which will have a significant impact on renewable energy adoption. Improved energy storage can address intermittency issues, provide backup power during outages, and enable greater penetration of renewable energy sources.

Can you walk us through your experience designing and integrating conventional and renewable energy systems?

Throughout my career, I’ve worked on various projects involving the design and integration of conventional and renewable energy systems. My experience includes designing solar PV systems and hybrid power solutions. I’ve also worked on integrating renewable energy sources with existing grid infrastructure.

How do you approach optimising renewable energy sources and storage for grid integration?

To optimise renewable energy sources and storage for grid integration, I employ a holistic approach that considers the entire energy value chain. This involves assessing energy demand, evaluating renewable energy resources, selecting suitable storage technologies, and designing grid infrastructure to ensure an efficient and reliable energy supply.

What are some of the key considerations when conducting techno-economic analyses for renewable energy projects?

When conducting techno-economic analyses for renewable energy projects, key considerations include assessing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), evaluating the capacity factor, considering the impact of energy storage, and analysing the project’s financial viability, including return on investment and payback period.

What policy and regulatory frameworks do you think are necessary to support the growth of renewable energy in Nigeria?

To support the growth of renewable energy in Nigeria, we need a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework that includes incentives for investors and tax credits. We also need to establish a renewable energy feed-in tariff and a net metering policy.

Oladehinde Oladipo

Dipo Oladehinde is a skilled energy analyst with experience across Nigeria’s energy sector alongside relevant know-how about Nigeria’s macro economy.

He provides a blend of market intelligence, financial analysis, industry insight, micro and macro-level analysis of a wide range of local and international issues as well as informed technical rudiments for policy-making and private directions.