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Research Article
Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique
Flugencio Punguane,
Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo,
Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade*
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-9
Received:
17 November 2025
Accepted:
12 December 2025
Published:
20 January 2026
Abstract: This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity grid. The methodology included a socioeconomic and energy survey, identification and calculation of daily electrical loads, estimation of average energy demand, and technical sizing of the photovoltaic system based on local solar irradiance conditions ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m2/day. Field surveys, direct observation and measurements were carried out, and the collected data were processed and analysed in Microsoft Excel. The dimensioning covered the main components of the photovoltaic system, including the solar generator, battery bank, charge controllers and inverters, ensuring reliability, autonomy and compatibility with household energy needs. The proposed system, a standalone Photovoltaic Solar System (SPS), is validated as the most suitable solution. An economic comparison was performed between the total installation and operational costs of the photovoltaic system and the hypothetical extension of the public grid. The results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system is technically viable and economically advantageous in the long term, due to the absence of monthly tariffs, reduced maintenance requirements and greater predictability of operational costs. From a social perspective, the adoption of photovoltaic systems enhances energy inclusion, reduces inequalities and significantly improves living conditions, contributing to local sustainable development. The findings indicate that decentralized solar electrification constitutes a clean and efficient solution for remote rural communities, particularly in Mapai, where access to modern energy services remains limited. The study recommends the expansion of similar systems in other rural regions as a strategic pathway to promote sustainable development and support national and global efforts toward universal access to clean energy.
Abstract: This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity gri...
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Research Article
Thermal Performance Evaluation of TLUD Injera Baking Stove at the Household Level
Duresa Tesfaye*
,
Gemechis Mideksa
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
10-16
Received:
3 January 2026
Accepted:
17 January 2026
Published:
31 January 2026
Abstract: Access to clean and efficient household energy remains a major challenge in developing countries, where more than 4 billion people still rely on traditional biomass for cooking. In Ethiopia, injera baking is the most energy-intensive household activity, consuming about 50% of total household biomass energy use annually. Traditional three-stone stoves used for injera baking are associated with low thermal efficiencies (5–10%), high fuel consumption, indoor air pollution, and health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the thermal performance of a Top-Lit Updraft (TLUD) injera baking stove under real household conditions in Digga and Caliya districts of Western Ethiopia. The stove was constructed using a 60 cm clay pan, mild steel sheet, fiberglass insulation, aluminum sheet, and square pipe framing. Three households were selected for experimental evaluation using 3 kg of eucalyptus wood per test. Temperature profiles, fuel consumption, biochar production, and baking performance were measured using digital instruments. Results showed that the TLUD stove achieved an average thermal efficiency of 25.2%, significantly higher than the 5–10% efficiency typical of traditional stoves. Pan temperatures remained within the optimal injera baking range of 180–209°C, while baking time averaged 2.14 minutes per injera. Fuel consumption was reduced by 50–60%, and each test produced 326–426 g of biochar. Compared to traditional three-stone stoves, the TLUD stove demonstrated substantial improvements in efficiency, energy savings, safety, and environmental performance. The study concludes that TLUD stoves present a viable, clean, and efficient alternative for injera baking at household level. Further work is recommended on emission testing and user perception studies.
Abstract: Access to clean and efficient household energy remains a major challenge in developing countries, where more than 4 billion people still rely on traditional biomass for cooking. In Ethiopia, injera baking is the most energy-intensive household activity, consuming about 50% of total household biomass energy use annually. Traditional three-stone stov...
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Review Article
Industrial Potential and Geochemical Characterization of Diatomite Resources in the Ethiopian Rift Area: Value Addition and Strategic Economic Applications
Wakjira Tesfaye*,
Megersa Bedo,
Ljalem Yirga,
Mitiku Tamene
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
17-25
Received:
5 January 2026
Accepted:
22 January 2026
Published:
6 February 2026
Abstract: The Ethiopian Rift System, a segment of the broader East African Rift, serves as a significant repository for industrial minerals, among which diatomite stands out as a resource of high economic potential. This comprehensive review examines the geological occurrence, geochemical and mineralogical profiles, and industrial utility of Ethiopian diatomite, primarily concentrated in the Main Ethiopian Rift and the Afar Depression. With estimated reserves exceeding 46.53×106 metric tons, the deposits are characterized by high amorphous silica content, ranging from 76.4% to over 86% in their raw state, and reaching upwards of 96% through thermochemical purification. Mineralogical investigations identify Opal-A as the primary silica phase, with a diverse assemblage of benthic freshwater diatom species, including Staurosirella pinnata and Staurosira construens. The material exhibits exceptional physical properties, such as low bulk density (0.32–0.42 g/cm³) and high porosity (up to 85.6%), rendering it suitable for traditional applications in filtration, insulation, and as a lightweight filler. Furthermore, this review highlights transformative value-addition opportunities in advanced manufacturing, including 3D concrete printing for carbon sequestration and geopolymer foams for thermal energy storage. Strategic alignment with Ethiopia's 10-year development plan (2021–2030) suggests that local processing and import substitution could save significant foreign currency and catalyze regional industrial growth. However, the location of these deposits within sensitive lacustrine ecosystems, such as the Abiyata-Shala Lakes National Park, necessitates a balanced approach to development that integrates rigorous environmental impact assessments and sustainable mining practices.
Abstract: The Ethiopian Rift System, a segment of the broader East African Rift, serves as a significant repository for industrial minerals, among which diatomite stands out as a resource of high economic potential. This comprehensive review examines the geological occurrence, geochemical and mineralogical profiles, and industrial utility of Ethiopian diatom...
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Research Article
Marine Current Energy Exploitation in the Mona Channel: Resource Assessment and Conceptual Development for the Dominican Republic
Francisco Nunez-Ramirez*
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
26-32
Received:
18 February 2026
Accepted:
3 March 2026
Published:
17 March 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.14
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Abstract: The Dominican Republic’s electricity system remains structurally exposed to fossil fuel import dependence and price volatility, underscoring the need for diversified, predictable renewable resources. This paper presents a quantitative resource assessment and conceptual development framework for marine current energy exploitation in the Mona Channel, a hydrodynamically active corridor between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Oceanographic measurements indicate peak current velocities up to 1.54 m/s within 200–350 m depth zones suitable for seabed-mounted turbine deployment. Using the kinetic power density formulation and conservative operational assumptions, a 30 MW pilot marine energy park consisting of thirty 1 MW horizontal-axis turbines is proposed as Phase I deployment. Assuming a 42% capacity factor, estimated annual generation reaches approximately 110 GWh, representing a stable, dispatchable-profile renewable contribution to the Dominican National Interconnected Electric System (SENI). Conceptual array spacing, subsea collection infrastructure, and staged grid integration pathways are defined in accordance with international marine energy deployment benchmarks. Beyond technical feasibility, the study frames marine current energy as a strategic resilience asset for island power systems. Unlike intermittent solar and wind resources, marine currents offer high predictability and seasonal complementarity, enhancing adequacy and reducing thermal dispatch requirements. A phased deployment strategy is recommended to enable environmental validation, regulatory development, and performance verification prior to large-scale expansion. The findings position the Mona Channel as a scalable blue-economy energy resource capable of strengthening long-term energy security, decarbonization efforts, and infrastructure resilience in the Caribbean region.
Abstract: The Dominican Republic’s electricity system remains structurally exposed to fossil fuel import dependence and price volatility, underscoring the need for diversified, predictable renewable resources. This paper presents a quantitative resource assessment and conceptual development framework for marine current energy exploitation in the Mona Channel...
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