Peace Obi
The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas in recognition of the need to encourage more research work in finding solutions to the country’s energy challenge in collaboration with the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry held a business interactive session to promote innovative solutions in addressing the challenges.
Speaking at the business interactive session which featured the 2018 winner of The Nigeria Prize for Science, Dr Peter Ngene, the General Manager, External Relations, Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams, said NLNG had early in its operations initiated well thought out interventions programmes that focus on actualising the company’s aspiration of helping to build a better Nigeria and that the Nigeria Prize for Science is one of those initiatives.
Fatai-Williams said, “We are here today because of the outcomes from that annual competition are increasingly shedding light on how we can possibly help to solve some of the nation’s problems which include electricity shortage.
“In recognition of the need to encourage more work in finding the solution to electric power generation in the country, Nigeria LNG using the platform of the science prize competition, last year, encouraged research works on the theme – Innovations in Electric Power Solutions.
“The beautiful result that emerged from that competition is the reason we are here today; to publicise the work among industry players and to inspire interest in harnessing the work for further breakthrough.
It will be recalled that on October 2018, Dr Peter Ngene was declared winner of the 2018 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Science for his entry, “Nanostructured metal hydrides for the storage of electric power from renewable energy sources and for explosion prevention in high voltage power transformers”.
The Manager, External Relations noted that Ngene’s work stood out for two reasons; “first, it deals with electric power generation from renewable energy, which is where the rest of the world is gravitating to. Undoubtedly, Nigeria is richly endowed with the renewables, from sunlight to wind, hydro and even fossils.
“The second distinction is that the work deals with conservation of electric power, better still storage device. That is another important factor even with the current scenario in our country.
Earlier in his speech, the President of LCCI, Mr Babatunde Ruwase said it has become imperative that the country harnesses the potentials and the knowledge available in modern-day science and be innovative in tackling many of the problems currently bedevilling the country.
He said, “A major challenge being faced by the country which has persisted for too long, is the provision of adequate and stable electricity for domestic consumption and for industries in Nigeria.
“Epileptic power supply is a serious setback affecting the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. It remains a major cause of failure of many businesses and an impediment to the development of the industrial sector.
Speaking further, Ruwase noted that the challenges also present opportunities for innovations that can help Nigeria surmount her electricity problem.
According to him, “There is an urgent need to change the narratives and focus on innovative ideas that can enable practical solutions. Therefore, the theme of this business interactive session, “Innovations in Electricity Power Solutions” presents a platform for reshaping our mindset. It would also help champion the birth of new ideas and practical ways to make the power sector work as it should be in order to promote the economic development aspiration of our country.
Reforming the power sector in Nigeria must align with the global energy direction of increasing renewables in the energy mix. Dr Ngene’s award-winning work “All Solid State Liquid Sulphur Battery”, further presents an opportunity for Nigeria to harness new discoveries sin solving her power supply challenges. His invention has positive implications on renewable energy development that the country can benefit from. It is believed that Dr Ngene’s work will expand the energy market in Nigeria with efficient energy storage.
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