When the author visited Nairobi, Kenya, in early 2022, he remembers being surprised to find that electricity and all kinds of household services were in place.
Except in slums and other areas, people basically have the same electric life as in Japan!
However, the only areas where this electricity supply is available are the cities, and the more irregular the cities are, the less electricity is available in the west of Kenya as a whole.
This is where Bieera Energy (Bieera Energy) comes in to bring electricity to all of Kenya.
This month’s article will share how and what Bieera Energy does to bring electricity to western Kenya.
Reference: https://www.f6s.com/www.bieera.co
What is Bieera Energy?
Bieera Energy was founded by Kisii University (Kisii University).
It was established in 2017 with the aim of providing affordable energy from rural rivers, energy from waste, solar and wind in western Kenya.
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEFUZXaCSNk&ab_channel=Fledge
How does it work?
Off-the-shelf micro-hydropower stations are deployed to provide electricity to the region using megawatts of untapped, clean and carbon-free energy.
We have developed low-cost micro-turbines that trap water flowing by the river in water tubes and use turbines to generate electricity.
The same water is reused over and over again, so it does not affect the fish ecosystem and does not harm the environment.
Water drops are dropped into the pipes from a height of 3-10 metres and the power of the water that comes out is used to turn the turbine and generate electricity.
As only a small amount of water is used, there is no risk of damaging the water eco-system.
In fact, the water used in this hydropower system accounts for less than 5% of Kenya’s total water consumption.
Kenya also receives regular rainfall, so there is no need to worry about water shortages.
Rivers have significant kinetic energy, which can be harnessed to generate electricity at minimal cost compared to dams.
The system can also be used on any river, even on gentle gradients, upstream or downstream, where the pressure of the river generates the electricity needed to supply the rural communities.
This power is then supplied to the people living along the river. Our system can be adapted to both large and small rivers, and can accommodate systems as small as one to ten houses.
Electricity in Japan is mainly generated by thermal power, but Kenya uses hydroelectricity and clean energy, which is a good approach for the environment.
What kind of value does it have?
Viera Energy can start an industrial revolution in Africa, says co-founder Elias Mabiria.
Because the factory can be run by a few people.
Until now, rural areas have been dominated by farmers, making it difficult for industry to develop.
But with enough electricity, factories can be run with a limited number of people, accelerating industry.
Energy can also be used to make improvement work more efficient.
For example, a Chinese factory that has invested heavily in Africa has only three or four staff.
If the factory can run with a few people, and if different developments can happen from Africa
We could have an industrial revolution in rural areas as well.