Analysis of energy utilization and renewable energy potential in KTDA region two tea factories in Kenya

Abstract

High cost of energy is one of the major challenges facing tea sector in Kenya. In an effort to address that challenge, a study was conducted to determine energy indicator trends and indentify factors that affect energy indicators in nine tea factories in central Kenya. Energy consumption data for five years was collected and analyzed. Plant survey was carried out to establish sectional energy requirements for a tea factory. The potential of renewable energy utilization within a tea factory was also studied. Biodegradable waste thermal potential was estimated based on the quantity of waste produced while the monthly wind and solar data for Nyeri was sourced from Renewable Energy Technology (RET) screen 4 software data base. RET screen software was used to model and carry out financial analysis of the renewable resources indentified in the tea factories. The results of the study show energy intensities ranged from 32.40 MJ per kg Made Tea (MT) to 38.31 MJ per kg MT and cost intensities from USD 163.05 to 214.72 per ton of MT. Sectional electrical energy demand were 36.7 %, 21.4 %, 24.9 % and 17 % for withering, processing, drying and others respectively. Factors identified to affect energy indicator are on production volume, capacity utilization, climatic factors, operational factors, and cost of energy as well as type, quality and mode of fuel wood storage. The levelized cost of energy for Solar photovoltaic (PV), solar air heating, wind resource, combined heat and power were USD 469.63 per MWh, USD 182.89 per MWh, USD 45.11 per MWh and USD 72 per MWh respectively. The study shows opportunities for energy cost reduction through energy conservation and resource management exist as well as renewable energy utilization as a viable alternative source of energy for tea factories.