http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/65 2026-07-14T12:36:07Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10331 Title: Modelling energy sector-related greenhouse gas emissions: Trends and insights from Burundi’s overall final energy consumption Authors: Egide, Manirambona; Niyongere, Abraham; Ndayizeye, Martin; Dusabe, Bonaventure; Amiss, Bob K.; Talai, Stephen M.; Kimutai, Stephen K Abstract: Growing concerns over climate change have underscored the need for rapid actions to mitigate its impacts. In that regard, this study sought to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to total final energy consumption in Burundi. By using the Low Emissions Analysis Platform, GHG emissions linked to final energy consumption and their trends were analyzed. The emissions were simulated at the point of emissions and determined in CO2 equivalent at 100-Year GWP “Global Warming Potential”. Results showed that the country’s total final energy demand is anticipated with a rising trend and households are expected to stay the leading overall final energy consumer. Consequently, this increase is expected to drive a rise in GHG emissions. In residential sector, 1753.9 Thousand Metric Tonnes (tmt) CO2 equivalent were emitted in 2015 and about 2095.7 tmt and 2358.7 tmt of CO2 equivalent would be emitted by 2030 and 2040, respectively in that sector. Despite its predicted decline in GHG emissions share, firewood contributed to 87.8 % of the emissions in 2015 in residential sector and is expected to remain the highest contributor of GHG emissions by 2040 with a share of 59.6 %. The GHG emitted by wood fuels represented a large share—73.9 % in 2015—of the total energy demand. However, reference-scenario simulations showed that the situation was expected to shift from 2019 onward, with the share of oil rising to 45.4 % against 41.8 % for firewood. Through implementation of improved cookstoves policy, 903.4 tmt CO2 equivalent would be avoided as compared to the reference-scenario while the adoption of low-emissions power technologies would keep the GHG emissions within the range of 1.0–2.3 tmt CO2 equivalent. The Burundi GHG emissions records presented in this study would support the country in fulfilling both its Nationally Determined Contributions targets and SDG–7 objectives. 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10330 Title: Biomass-derived activated carbon from empty fruit bunches for supercapacitor electrodes: Crystallinity and electrochemical analysis Authors: Egbe, Terence Awoh; Mecha, Achisa C.; Kiplagat, Joseph; Kimutai, Stephen K. Abstract: Palm processing industries leave behind huge amounts of biomass annually which are not usually being disposed of sustainably. This study utilizes fast and feasible means of converting empty palm bunch biomass into supercapacitor electrodes. The two-step carbonization-activation method was used to synthesize the highly porous activated carbon, which was used in the electrodes. The resulting materials exhibited patterns similar to that of reduced graphene oxides (rGO) and a maximum specific surface area of 1375 m2/g. The supercapacitor designed from the porous activated carbon exhibits the greatest specific capacitance of 251 F/g at a scan rate of 1 mV/s, under 6 M KOH electrolyte. The corresponding GCD analysis at 100 mA/g current density was 346 F/g, and about 82.9 % of the original capacitance value was retained even after 5000 GCD cycles. The energy density and power density were 17.16 Wh/kg and 180.1 W/kg, respectively. This work does not only provide a feasible route for the management of palm agro-industrial waste, but also produces carbon materials whose electrochemical performance are competitive to state-of-the-art biomass-derived carbon, offering a sustainable pathway for electrochemical energy storage. 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10328 Title: Mathematical modeling of combustion characteristics of agricultural waste briquettes Authors: Ondari, Brian; Kimutai, Stephen Kibet; Mukubwa, Emmanuel Wanyama Abstract: Rapid population increase coupled with industrialization has led to rise in global energy demand leading to skyrocketing of energy prices. Diversification in energy resources is essential to reduce overdependence on certain resources. Agricultural wastes remain a promising energy resource to be exploited. Laboratory experimental analysis is time consuming and costly. This fueled the adoption of modelling as an alternative to laboratory analysis. Different models such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), artificial neural network (ANN), and ANFIS fuzzy logic have been used by various researchers. Buckingham pie theorem together with MATLAB was used in this research to evaluate the properties and combustion characteristics of assorted agricultural wastes. The properties modelled were; porosity, density, shatter resistance, higher heating values, burnout time, burning rate, ignition time and efficiency. The factors that affect each of the properties negatively and positively were determined from the models. The significance of each property and characteristics were articulated. The limitations and assumptions of the models were also highlighted. It is recommended that further research incorporating artificial intelligence in the models needs to be exploited aid in reduction of experimental analysis costs and time. Other agricultural wastes which have not been characterized for need to exploited. This will further reduce overdependence on conventional resources such as fossil fuels which are not only getting depleted at an alarming rate but also led to environmental degradation. 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10327 Title: Assessing power sector expansion and related emissions using the low emissions analysis platform: The case of Burundi in East Africa Authors: Egide, Manirambona; Niyongere, Abraham; Ndayizeye, Martin; Bonaventure, Dusabe; Kaziri, Amissi Bob; Talai, Stephen M; Kimutai, Stephen Kibet Abstract: Burundi anticipates rapidly growing electricity demand due to several evolving factors: the Government's plans to boost national GDP and position the country among emerging economies by 2040; high population growth; increasing demand for education and health facilities; and the high potential of coltan, nickel and other minerals expected to be exploited. All these goals are hindered by a significant shortfall in meeting the country's electricity needs. Despite the construction of numerous power plants aimed at improving the low electricity access rate, the country still requires considerable efforts to ensure sustainable and continuous development. Energy planning remains relatively underdeveloped in Burundi, highlighting the need to go beyond addressing the current deficit and develop a robust national electricity planning strategy. The Low Emissions Analysis Platform was used to investigate different power sector expansion scenarios and associated emissions, targeting the country's vision 2040. Three energy policies “efficient lighting (Ef-L), universal electrification (Un-El) and low CO2 emissions (LEm)”, established as tactical priorities for Burundi, were analyzed. The L-Em was evaluated in terms of CO2 Equivalent at the point of emissions using a 100-year Global Warming Potential. Results showed that the country's electricity demand is anticipated to continue increasing, from 180.4 GWh in 2015 to a projected 867.6 GWh in 2040 under a Business-As-Usual scenario. Households are expected to remain the largest consumers of electricity. The Ef-L policy could save 124.6 GWh. Under Un-El, households' electricity demand would reach 825.7 GWh by 2040, compared to 536.5 GWh under the Business-As-Usual scenario. By phasing-out all fossil-fired plants after 2030, the L-Em policy would require importation of significant amount of electricity, unless there is a higher deployment of renewable energy technologies than currently planned. High adoption of renewable energy sources, combined with the Ef-L policy, are strongly recommended in the country's national energy strategies 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z