Varsities urged to innovate to actualize the goal of clean energy

Universities across the country have been urged to innovate and embrace the actualization of Sustainable Development Goal number seven on affordable and clean energy to save the costs of running such institutions.

The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology-MMUST Vice Chancellor Solomon Shibairo observed that most institutions are in financial crisis majorly contributed by the high cost of electricity.

He said innovations should enable breakthroughs in alternative power generation to help save on high costs that go into powering institutions on electricity.

A team of Engineers from the University led by the chairperson of the University Solar Photo Voltaic Energy Project committee James Owuor are currently working to develop technical specifications and an implementation plan for a Solar Power project at the University.

Shibairo expressed confidence that once the project sails through, it will be able to save the university the high costs of power and enable such funds to be channelled towards more research and innovations at the institution.

“We have seen electricity bills run to millions in some institutions. If universities can embrace this technology, they will save on the funds used in the electricity bills which will be a major boost in their day-to-day running," said Shibairo.

He highlighted the benefits of using solar-powered energy terming it both clean and safe for the environment.

The don termed solar power as a very important source of energy as the world shifts towards clean energy production.

“Currently, there are a lot of emissions into the air. If most organizations can embrace this form of energy, then no greenhouse gas emissions will be released into the atmosphere. This is because the sun provides a clean as well as high amount of energy than we’ll ever need,” he said.

The MMUST deputy vice chancellor for Planning Research and Innovation Charles Mutai stressed the need to embrace Solar energy, saying that as a renewable CO2-free power source, the environmental impact of solar power is significantly smaller than other power generation methods.

According to the United Nations Environmental Programme-UNEP, Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

In an effort to help reduce this and in compliance with SDG No 7 on access to clean and affordable energy, and SDG No 13 on climate action, MMUST intends to go green in all its operations and attain ISO 14000 on environmental management systems.

“Today, we are proud that we have begun the journey of attaining this goal, through the implementation of a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power generation system, which is the first of the many that are yet to come,” he said.

In the current financial year, the University management has earmarked several major buildings to be solar-powered, a move expected to result in a reduction of current electricity bills as well as ensure a reliable and stable power supply with a reduced carbon footprint.