GenTec Gas Generators Will Help Nigerian Businesses Reduce OPEX with Leonard Azimoh, Energy Consultant, Nature Volts

There is an urgent need for Nigeria to leapfrog its electricity access for obvious reasons. To start with, both empirical and analytical data have shown that energy is inextricably linked with development.

This underscores the disparity in energy access between developing nations and developed ones. Low electricity access has become a metaphor for poverty and underdevelopment in the economic sector.

In fact, it has been argued that the consumption of electricity per capita has a direct correlation with the development index.

Energy Consultant at Nature Volts Leonard Azimoh told Energy! that Nigeria's electricity challenges are daunting, given its unique and peculiar situation. Among other things, Nigeria's utility grid is not operating optimally.

The fossil base grid, mainly fueled with natural gas, is facing logistic and supply issues; the installed capacity is about 12.5GW, while the transmission corridor can only take about 6.7 GW. Normally, only about 4.3 GW gets to the load due to transmission losses (which stand at about 30%), and the plant availability factor (PAF) is about 33%.

This is what is left to meet the energy needs of about 200 million inhabitants. Therefore, the grid is characterized by bottlenecks resulting in epileptic supply, load shedding, unscheduled outages, transmission losses due to the weak grid, etc.

Azimoh recommends that with the recent law passed by Nigeria's federal government, which gives independence to states to meet their energy needs, it is advisable for the states to meet their energy needs locally by developing community energy systems, such as mini and micro grids, using local resources as feedstocks (gas, solar, wind, biogas, etc.).

He says a three (3) prong approach is recommended to meet the challenges.

1. The grid is overstretched at its present condition. Therefore, it is necessary to reinforce the existing grid and increase the available capacity close to the installed capacity.
2. Transmission losses need to be reduced through embedded generations, thereby removing the transmission network from the loop (supplying energy close to the loads). This will reduce energy losses because when resistance losses are low, the energy losses will be low, too.
3. It is necessary to upscale the penetration of renewable energy systems in the energy mix, which is abysmally low. Nigeria has abundant solar irradiation for the development of solar systems, inland waterways with good hydrology for hydro, municipal waste and biomass for biogas technology, as well as wind technology. It’s imperative to optimize local resources to include all available natural resources in the energy matrix.

Energy!: Tell us about Nature Volts and the electricity solution the company is offering to Nigerians.

Leonard Azimoh: We are pleased to propose using our reliable, efficient and low-carbon energy gas generator in the Nigerian energy market. Due to the increasing cost of electricity from the national grid, pump fuel prices and the global warming resulting from the use of high carbon-emitting fuels, our unique gas-powered generator is primed to save energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, as well as improve human and ecological health through reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

As the sole distributor of GenTec gas generators in Nigeria, we are well-positioned to support your energy needs most cost-effectively. We are proud to say that our gas generator is a viable alternative to the solar photovoltaic system due to its intermittency and dependency on battery backup systems. Some of the added advantages of using GenTec gas generator are as follows:

Reducing Grid Dependence

Our grid is currently characterized by epileptic power supply, load shedding, and unscheduled outages, which limit its reliability. Our solution is geared towards making you less dependent or outrightly independent from the grid. MAN, MTU, and BERGEN engine gas generators can provide 24/7 power supply for your commercial, industrial, and domestic needs.

Electricity prices are linked to the cost of diesel and petrol, even though over 80% of electricity is currently generated from gas thermal plants. We provide a route to reduce your dependency on the utility grid, give you control over your energy spending, and shield you against rising energy prices. Therefore, installing our gas generator provides power, delivers energy freedom, and reduces energy burden.

Availability of Feedstock

Our gas generator uses Natural Gas, LPG, and Hydrogen as fuel sources. Our country is blessed with an abundance of natural gas, which makes the gas generator suitable for our environment. Over the years, our oil and gas sector has been fraught with natural gas flaring. The flared gases will be put to meaningful use with our gas generator.

Cost Effectiveness

With self-reliant and independent energy production, our industrial, commercial, and industrial customers are empowered to free themselves from rising energy costs, boosting financial savings and lowering operating expenditures.

Environmental Benefits

Sustainability and environmental responsibility are critical considerations for every industry. Our unique gas generator engines substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions, so customers and operators can save up to 30% on carbon emissions per unit of electricity generated compared to the traditional power-generating plant.

Furthermore, our engines significantly reduce air pollutants associated with traditional power generation. Compared to separate heat and power generation, our gas generator systems can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 90% and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by up to 99%.

Energy!: How would you convince those who prefer to use solar generators instead of gas generators, especially considering methane emissions?

Leonard Azimoh: Due to the existential threat posed by global warming, solar generators have gained traction in the energy market globally. This is due to their zero-emissions quality.

Nevertheless, despite the price reduction in solar technology over the years, the average cost of meeting domestic, commercial, industrial, and community energy needs is still expensive. It requires battery backups, and depending on the need, constructing a solar farm requires a large expanse of land.

Furthermore, photovoltaic systems are often inefficient and unreliable, and they cannot support productive and commercial activities. Unlike solar technology, our gas generator systems have the added advantage of supplying energy 24/7, with a low greenhouse gas emission capability.

Our gas generators' low greenhouse gas emissions capability is achieved by using selective catalytic converters or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. All Nature Volts-provided engines are ready-made for the eventual migration from natural gas to renewable biomethane and zero-carbon emission Hydrogen, meaning no major infrastructure changes will be required to support the green switch.

Energy!: Who are your major potential customers for using these gas generators in Nigeria?

Leonard Azimoh: Our target audience include the following.

• Banks
• Telecommunication companies
• Real Estate Companies
• Oil & gas companies
• Hospitality businesses
• Communities
• Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)
• Factories
• Industries

Energy!: What can Nigerian business owners benefit from using these gas generators both in the short and long term?

Leonard Azimoh: In the short run, businesses will gain independence from the seriously perturbed grid and volatile electricity prices; they will have a reliable power supply.

In the long term, apart from the initial acquisition cost, their energy bills will be reduced, along with less environmental pollution (air quality, noise, and ground pollution). Added to this, they will be able to increase financial earnings through high productivity and reduced energy bills, as well as project and plan for their financial and commercial activities.

Above and beyond this, Nature Volts provides a route to reduce your dependency on the already overstretched and challenged transmission power network and give you control over energy usage and spending. We deliver energy freedom and reduce energy burden to ease the challenges of operating expenditure (OpEx).