1. Renewable Energy Technology Research Center Profile
Renewable Energy Technology Research Center, one of the research centers in AMU led by ArbaMinch Institute of Technology. It came into being in 2012 to coordinate researches in the area of renewable energy technologies. Its main goal is to foster collaborative research between scholars and experts of related area and to train future scientists to pursue potential research. The present government’s policy focus on renewable energy to harness its true potential offers new greener approach that guarantees preservation of ecosystem. We can tap this energy from sources such as sunlight, wind, water, geothermal, and Bioenergy (industrial/agricultural) as it has tremendous depth to offer solutions in the areas of agricultural, industrial and health-related issues. Similarly, it requires appropriate skills in related disciplines for our staff so that we can harness its true worth and develop various problem-solving researches that will be mutually beneficial.
2. Center’s VISION
To become the leading research center in Ethiopia focusing on renewable energy researches and technology development by 2030
3. MISSION
To conduct demand-driven problem solving researches in the area of solar energy, wind energy, bioenergy, micro hydro power, fuel cell technologies and provide consultancy and community engagement by coordinating available human resources in the university
4. GOAL
To disseminate research outputs to the communities and industries, create a favorable research environment, and promote cutting-edge research with scientific ethics.
5. OBJECTIVES
· Do basic and applied research which are technically, economically viable, and environment friendly leading Ethiopia towards self-reliance on energy production and consumption.
· Assist the university by identifying problems of rural communities and proposing a solution with a final application of research findings in collaboration with the government, private sector, and NGO.
· Conduct research on renewable energy projects and do consultancy for public-private sector
· Create social awareness by using naturally abundant and clean energy sources
· Provide knowledge-based insights to influence policies and programs of government in the utilization of renewable energy technology for meeting energy needs
6. RESEARCH THEMATIC AREAS OF THE CENTER
6.1 SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH AREAS
The Renewable Energy Technology Research Center funds solar energy research and development efforts in five main categories: photovoltaics, solar-thermal power systems, solar energy systems integration, solar energy soft costs, and solar manufacturing and competitiveness. The center funds research and developmental projects aimed to improve the affordability, performance, and efficiency of solar technologies.
6.2 WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AREAS
The Renewable Energy Technology Research Center funds wind energy research and development efforts in five main categories: wind conditions; wind turbine technology; wind energy integration; wind power applications, and Economic Analysis of wind energy. The center funds research and developmental projects aimed at improving the affordability, performance, and value of wind energy technologies.
6.3 BIO-ENERGY RESEARCH AREAS
The Renewable Energy Technology Research Center funds bio-energy research and development efforts in four main categories: Biomass Energy Conversions; Biofuels; Bio-products and Bio-power technologies. The center funds research and developmental projects that aim to improve the affordability, performance, and value of bio-energy.
6.4 SMALL HYDROPOWER RESEARCH AREAS
The Renewable Energy Technology Research Center funds small hydropower research and development efforts in four main categories: Small hydropower resource assessment; Small hydropower applications; Design developments of cost-effective small hydropower components; and Small hydropower integration. The center funds research and developmental projects that aim to improve the affordability, performance, and value of small hydropower technologies.
6.5 FUEL CELL/HYDROGEN POWER
The center conducts researches in the design, analysis and development of affordable fuel cells technologies for micro grid development to electrify the rural communities in off-grid areas.
7 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS
7.1 Sahay Solar Project
The center has been running the Sahay Solar Project through its community engagement since 2009. The project is aimed to electrify rural health centers and schools in Gamo and Gofa Zones. It is a collaborative project with three partners Sahay Solar Association Africa e.v, Germany, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Arba Minch University, and former Gamo-Gofa Zone Administration. It has electrified 21 schools, 28 health centers, one solar competence laboratory, a total of 49 projects in Gamo and Gofa zones till 2024.
7.2 Domestic Bio-Digester Project
The overall objective of the project is to install 250 domestic biogas digesters in the Southern Nations Nationalities and People Region (SNNPR), Gamo Zone five Woredas; A/Minch Zuriya, Merab Abaya, Kucha, Chencha and Gerese Woredas. It is a collaborative project with two partners Southern Nations Nationalities and People Region Mines and Energy Agency and Arba Minch University.
7.3 Pico-Hydro Power Project
The Pico hydropower project is supported and launched in collaboration between the Christian Aid Organization and Arba Minch University. It is part of a rural electrification project to scale up clean energy opportunities to the community. The project aims to electrify the rural village of Dingamo Kebele, Kemba Zuriya Woreda, Gamo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. The project can address more than 400 households, and social institutions such as schools, health centers, farmer training centers and etc.
8) Collaborations
The RETRC has secured several collaborations with national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations mentioned below: The international collaborators include Sahay Solar Association-Germany, SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts-South Switzerland, and Christian Aid. The national governmental organizations which collaborate with the center include Gamo zone administration, Gofa zone administration and Minstry of Water and Energy. The cener has signed MoU with the above organizations to foster research and community engagement works in AMU catchment areas and outside the university catchment areas.
9) LABORATORIES
The RETRC has a well-established solar competence laboratory. This laboratory aids research works in solar energy. Currently, the center is planning to establish other laboratories which are intended to foster researches in micro hydro, wind energy, hydrogen energy and bioenergy.
10) COMPLETED AND ONGOING RESEARCHES
The center has been conducting a total of thirteen (13) researches of which three are completed and ten (10) are on-going. The total number of researchers engaging in the research work at the center is thirty (30) having affiliations to the RETRC, faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Chemistry
11) Office Location and Work hours
The RETRC is located in AMU, main campus, New office building. Its work hours is Monday to Friday from 8:30 A.M to 5:30PM
12) RESEARCHERS PROFILE
The RETRC has four full time research staffs having the following profiles
1) Mr. Beyene Feye Fulasa (Associate Researcher)
Ø BSc degree in Water Supply and Environmental Engineering from Arba Minch University, 29th June, 2015Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Ø MSc degree in Hydropower Development from Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, 8th November 2019,Norway
Researches/projects engagements:
ü Development of Community managed Pico hydropower project to Electrify rural communities in southern region of Ethiopia(On-going)
ü Assessment, Design, and development of pico to small-scale hydropower project for rural electrification in selected region of southern Ethiopia(On-going)
ü Optimizing the Rural Energy Demand through High Precision Agriculture Technology (SWIFT) in the southern region of Ethiopia.(Completed)
Email Address:
2) Mr. Ewunetu Getu Beyene (Associate Researcher)
Ø Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering, AMU, 2013-2017
Ø Masters of science (M.Sc.) in Sustainable energy engineering, BDU, 2019 -2022
Research/project engagements:
ü Development of biogas laboratory test bed for Arba Minch University project code Gov/Amu/TH03/AMiT/RETRC/04/2012 –(Completed)
ü Design and performance evaluation of a modified biogas stove for efficient energy use(Principal Investigator) -- (Project Code: GOV/ AMU/Small-scale/TH03/RETRC/01/15) as Co-Investigator (Ongoing).
ü Design, development and performance analysis of evaporative cooler for off grid areas (Completed)
Email:
3) Ashebir Mekeb Gizaw(Associate Researcher)
Ø BSc in Mechanical Engineering, Jimma University 2013-2017.
Ø MSc in Sustainable energy engineering, Jimma University 2019 -2023
Research/project engagements:
ü Development of biogas laboratory test bed for Arba Minch University project code Gov/Amu/TH03/AMiT/RETRC/04/2012 –(Completed)
ü Design, development and performance analysis of evaporative cooler for on grid and off grid areas” Project code GOV/AMU/TH01/AMiT/RETRC/01/2011----(Completed)
Email:
4) Wonimu Barena Gizaw(Associate Researcher)
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Ø BSc in Physics, ArbaMinch University,01/09/2012-15/06/2017
Ø MSc in Material Science, ArbaMinch University 01/09/2018 -04/07/2019
Ø PhD Fellowship in material science and engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology,01/09/2024- current
Research/project engagements:
ü Design, development and performance analysis of evaporative cooler for off grid areas (Completed)
ü Development of biogas laboratory test bed for Arba minch university(Completed)
ü Design and performance evaluation of a modified biogas stove for efficient energy use (Project Code: GOV/ AMU/Small-scale/TH03/RETRC/01/15) as Co-Investigator (Ongoing).
ü Investigation of the thermal, structural, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of Mn₀.₅-xCdₓCu₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized via sol-gel combustion (Project Code: GOV/AMU/TH6/CNS/physics/02/2012) as Co-Investigator (Ongoing)
Email address:
Contact Address
Dr.Yalisho Girma (PhD)
Director, Renewable Energy Technology Research Center
PhD in Electrical Power Engineering
Arba Minch University, Ethiopia
Mobile No: +251 921428439 Email: