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Energy Resources and Energy Efficiency Research Center (EREE-RC)

ENERGY RESOURCES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY RESEARCH CENTER (EREE-RC)

Power generation using fossil fuels is a major source of greenhouses gases that are associated with global warming. Utilization of renewable energy in industries can contribute to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases that cause global warming and fight climate change and create resilient economies by providing reliable energy access. Kenya has made great achievements towards this transition as renewable energy sources (hydropower, geothermal, wind, solar and biogas cogeneration) form ninety percent of her energy mix. In addition, energy conservation and efficiency is a major target in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing industrial competitiveness. However, a lot remains to be done at the household level as majority of the population is still dependent on polluting fuels and low efficiency energy sources such as firewood, charcoal and kerosene for cooking. Action is required to reduce wastage of biomass resources, reduce deforestation and reduce indoor air pollution. EREE-RC develops sustainable energy solutions and transfers findings to support accelerated uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country.

Research and Development Activities in EREE-RC

  • Bioenergy laboratory is ISO 17025:2017 accredited. It offers onsite biogas sampling and analyses; advise on feedstock selection; digestion trials and analyses of pure and mixed feedstock (dry matter and organic  matter, suspended matter and suspended volatile matter, total nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen); biomethane potential tests; and design, operation and maintenance of biogas plants.  
  • The Information Best Practice Platform (IBPP) in biogas technologies is a database and repository of technical information on best practices in biogas technology (https://energyresources.kirdi.go.ke/). The objectives of the IBPP include sharing information and transferring knowledge on operation and maintenance of biogas plants, providing a basis for policy, regulations and incentives related to biogas generation, assist potential project developers in preparing viable biogas generation proposals and help them find potential financing agencies. 
  • Cookstove laboratory is ISO 17025:2017 accredited. The laboratory is a one-stop shop for cookstove testing, design and fabrication. The laboratory monitors and evaluates locally produced and imported cookstoves and supports development of national cookstove testing protocols and standards The laboratory uses ISO 19867-1 (clean cookstove and clean cooking solutions – harmonized laboratory testing protocols), Kenya Standard 1614:2019 (biomass stoves performance requirements) and Kenya Standard 1064:2000 (specifications for non-pressure stoves) to evaluate cookstoves for thermal efficiency, emissions determination, safety tests, energy (calorific value) and proximate analyses. 
  • Energy efficiency and energy management laboratory is ISO 17025:2017 accredited. It supports the national Minimum Energy Performance Standards and the Energy Labeling Programme. It has state of the art equipment that include inertial dynamometer system (IDS) for assessment of the performance of industrial motors; spectroradiometer/integrating sphere system for study and analysis of general service electric lamps; and an assortment of several modern portable equipment for on-site measurements and assessment in accordance with energy management standards. 
  • Provide entrepreneurs with technical knowledge and skills on energy management and energy audits. The training can be individualized, in groups, and on/off-site KIRDI premises.
  • Promote efficient production and use of solid biomass through research and development on efficient charcoal kilns, briquette and pellet making formulations from agro-wastes such as bagasse and rice husks, groundnut shells, coconut shells, paddy straw and maize cobs; fabricate bioethanol cookstoves and identify, characterize, analyse and optimize feedstocks to produce bioethanol and biodiesel.

Key Facilities in EREE-RC

  • The energy efficiency laboratory has inertial dynamometer system (IDS) for assessment of the performance of industrial motors; spectroradiometer/integrating sphere system for study and analysis of general service electric lamps; and an assortment of several modern portable equipment for on-site measurements and assessment in accordance to the energy management standard.
  • The cookstove laboratory is equipped with the Laboratory Emissions Monitoring System (LEMS), indoor air pollution meter and a    bomb calorimeter for fuel analysis.
  • The biogas laboratory has a pilot scale bioreactor for biogas process simulation; and associated monitoring and evaluation equipment such as GC-MS equipment for analysis of bio-fertilizers.