RENEWABLE ENERGY IN EAST AFRICA: SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDING ELECTRICITY USING A SYSTEMS APPROACH

Energy is an important factor in any country's economic development. The lack of good energy policies and infrastructure has contributed in preventing countries in Africa from achieving economic growth. Developing nations in Africa face significant challenges due to poor or no energy infrastructures which continues to inhibit GDP growth. One way to do this is by modernizing and building their electricity capability. In addressing these energy problems, the region must include and develop sustainable energy systems. Providing electricity for the African continent must be performed in ways which are affordable, sustainable and flexible. Countries in the region must consider renewable energy solutions as they update and improve electricity capability. Systems engineering offers several great tools with which countries in the African region can assess the viability of renewable energy systems. In this paper, some of the tools highlighted include: Descriptive and Normative Scenarios, System Definition Matrix [Scope (Needs, Objectives, and Criteria) and Bound (Parameters, Variables, and Constraints)], and an example of how a Quality Function Deployment could be used. In systems engineering, significant effort is spent in assessing the problem, formulating requirements which are relatable to the customer objectives and analyzing the alternatives in meeting the set forth requirements. The problem of providing electricity for the African continent is a complex one with many factors and variables for consideration. Systems engineering offers a means to assess these problems and provide feasible solutions for implementation, meeting the customers' requirements. This paper offers an overall look at the renewable energy problem, outlines the alternatives, and provides a general framework as to how a systems approach can be used. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to examine renewable energy as an option for solving Africa's energy problems. Given the number of countries on the African continent, this paper will use as a case study, the East African region, specifically the three countries most recognized in that Sub-Saharan region (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). The region was identified because the African region was selected for evaluation given the authors familiarity with the region having grown up in Kenya and traveled to Tanzania. More significantly, the region offers very significant and complex challenges to which a systems approach to providing solutions may be well suited for. Additionally, this region was chosen given the available amount of statistical information, and renewable energy research currently being undertaken.