Prospects of ocean-based renewable energy for West Africa’s sustainable energy future
Smart and Sustainable Built Environment
ISSN: 2046-6099
Article publication date: 16 March 2020
Issue publication date: 17 March 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The limited supply of fossil fuels, constant rise in the demand of energy and the importance of reducing greenhouse emissions have brought the adoption of renewable energy sources for generation of electrical power. One of these sources that has the potential to supply the world’s energy needs is the ocean. Currently, ocean in West African region is mostly utilized for the extraction of oil and gas from the continental shelf. However, this resource is depleting, and the adaptation of ocean energy could be of major importance. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibilities of ocean-based renewable energy (OBRE) and analyze the economic impact of adapting an ocean energy using a thermal gradient (OTEC) approach for energy generation.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is conducted from the perspective of cost, energy security and environmental protection.
Findings
This study shows that adapting ocean energy in the West Africa region can significantly produce the energy needed to match the rising energy demands for sustainable development of Nigeria. Although the transition toward using OBRE will incur high capital cost at the initial stage, eventually, it will lead to a cost-effective generation, transmission, environmental improvement and stable energy supply to match demand when compared with the conventional mode of generation in West Africa.
Practical implications
This study will be helpful in determining the feasibility, performance, issues and environmental effects related to the generation and transmission of OBRE in the West Africa region.
Originality/value
The study will contribute toward analysis of the opportunities for adopting renewable energy sources and increasing energy sustainability for the West Africa coast regions.
Keywords
Citation
Adesanya, A., Misra, S., Maskeliunas, R. and Damasevicius, R. (2021), "Prospects of ocean-based renewable energy for West Africa’s sustainable energy future", Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 37-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-05-2019-0066
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited