Deployment Of Alternate Sources Of Energy In Ghana
- Conference
- Location
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Austin, Texas
- Publication Date
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June 14, 2009
- Start Date
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June 14, 2009
- End Date
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June 17, 2009
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
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New Research and Trends Related to Minorities in Engineering
- Tagged Division
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Minorities in Engineering
- Page Count
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6
- Page Numbers
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14.406.1 - 14.406.6
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--5356
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/5356
- Download Count
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393
Paper Authors
Willie Ofosu Pennsylvania State University, Wilkes-Barre
Dr. Willie K. Ofosu is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering Technology at Pennsylvania State University. He teaches telecommunications, wireless systems, networking, optoelectronics and analog and digital electronics at the Wilkes-Barre campus. He is a member of ASEE, IEEE, IET (England) and a Chartered Engineer (CEng) of England. He is currently involved in international activities in cooperation with some faculty members at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. He is an advocate of diversity in the education field. Dr. Ofosu received his Ph.D. from the Electronic Systems Engineering Department at Essex University in England.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Deployment of Sustainable Alternate Source of Energy in Ghana Abstract
Developing nations generally do not have the industrial infrastructure that expel large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as a result of manufacturing processes, while this can be said of developed nations. Automobiles also contribute to this effect, and here too, developing nations do not have nearly as many cars on the road as developed nations do. For similar reasons, developing nations do not contribute in a major way to the greenhouse effect and global warming, which are world-wide phenomena that impact all continents and nations. The fact that global warming impacts the whole world makes it imperative that all nations contribute to the resolution of the problems it poses.
In considering the positions that some African nations face and the global problem of emissions into the atmosphere, it is essential to take into account some recent developments. In focusing on Ghana, there is a recent discovery of oil off the coast of Ghana, and already the nation is anticipating the wealth and prosperity this will bring to Ghana. For a poor and developing nation, the attraction of the wealth can be characterized as strong. Even so, it is essential that the people and government of Ghana temper their excitement of the anticipated prosperity with the sobering thought of the negative impact burning of fossil fuels and resultant emissions have on the atmosphere. This strongly points to the need of alternate sources of energy that support the green revolution.
The nation Ghana is well within the Tropic of Cancer, 5o to 12o north of the equator. This places the nation where its people can take full advantage of solar energy by use of solar technologies. While other universities such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are engaged in such activities, this paper discusses the efforts being made by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in supporting the government’s effort to employ solar energy as a sustainable alternate source of energy.
Introduction
The issue of global warming and its effect on the Arctic presents a problem that is being taken seriously by governmental agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)1. In an article by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDF) titled Global Warming puts the Arctic on Thin Ice2, some of the questions asked that have yes as a response are Will Arctic ice melt have any effects beyond the polar region? and Can we do anything to stop global warming? The first of the two questions indicates that the one event of the ice melting at the Arctic can have global impact and the second question indicates that a global joint effort is needed to counter global warming. For this reason it does not matter whether any nation is a major or minor contributor, the essential point is that all nations should participate in resolving this issue.
Ofosu, W. (2009, June), Deployment Of Alternate Sources Of Energy In Ghana Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5356
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