FEASIBILITY OF USING CLEAN ENERGY AS AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

SOURCE IN OUR FARMLANDS

(NORTH TONGU)

Research Proposal

UNIVERSITY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

By

HUZAIFAH YUSIF ATTAH: UE20021313

(Department Of Energy and Environmental Engineering)

14th December, 2015, Sunyani, Ghana

Table of Contents
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES ............................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTHER ONE ..................................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT .................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY ...................................................................................................................... 7
1.4 JUSTIFICATION ................................................................................................................................ 8
CHAPTHER TWO .................................................................................................................................. 10
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................ 10
2.1 LOCATION...................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2 DEMOGRAPHIC ............................................................................................................................. 10
2.3

BOUNDARIES ........................................................................................................................... 11

2.4 CLIMATE ........................................................................................................................................ 11

2.5 OCCUPATION................................................................................................................................. 12
............................................................................................................................................................ 12
CHAPTHER THREE................................................................................................................................ 13
METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................. 13
3. RESEARCH METHOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 13
3.1 DATA COLLECTION ........................................................................................................................ 13
3.2 SAMPLE SPACING AND SIZING ..................................................................................................... 14
3.3 DATA ANALYSICS ........................................................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 EXPECTED OUTCOME .................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 TIMELINE ....................................................................................................................................... 16
References .................................................................................................................................................. 17

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure 1: Structure of Ghanas Economic Growth6
Figure 2: Populations by Age and Sex of North Tongu District.10
Figure 3: A Native of North Tongu at a Rice Farm.12
Table 1: Timeline16

CHAPTHER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

Energy is the capacity of a physical system to perform work (Zimmerman, 2002). Energy plays a
very important roles in our daily lives, from sunrise to sunset and even afterwards nothing
worthwhile can be achieved without energy.
Farmers need electricity to power their irrigation systems, stock water pumps and heat to keep
their livestocks warm through harsh winters, etc. Diesel is also necessary for their tractors and
other equipment (JON FOSTER, 2015). They need much energy to do their work, which is not
only expensive, but also uncertain. Their dependence on fuels whose prices fluctuate with the
whims of regional and global energy markets creates one more unknown for farmers and
ranchers who must already deal with the many uncertainties that come with farming and
management of livestock.
In the last few years, interest in alternative energy and energy conservation has skyrocketed due
to unstable fuel prices and the desire to move toward renewable and sustainable energy sources.
With this technologies, farmers are making their operations more profitable, efficient and
cleaner, in that process, they are helping the nation. Generating renewable energy and using
fossil fuels more efficiently reduces dependence on foreign oil, providing greater local and
national energy security. It also curbs global warming pollution and offers new economic
opportunities for communities. (SARE, Clean Energy Farming)

Across America, farms are generating their own energy using wind turbines, solar panels, or
anaerobic digesters, with some selling the excess electricity back to the grid. Other producers are
experimenting with on-farm biodiesel and ethanol production, or researching new energy-related
crops and business opportunities in anticipation of developing cellulosic biofuel technology and
markets. (Mike Morris, Diana Friedman, & Michael Bomford, 2014)
Clean energy farming generally, can be divided into:
a. Energy Conservation and Efficiency
b. Renewable Energy

Conserving energy and improving energy efficiency is not only good for the environment, it
reduces dependence on fossil fuels and curbs greenhouse gas emissions, but also for the
pocketbook, saving farmers money. Fifteen percent of agricultural production costs are energy
related, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) (Mike Morris, Diana
Friedman, & Michael Bomford, 2014). Energy can be saved through improving tractor and field
operation efficiency, improving machinery maintenance, updating to new dairy cooling or
heating equipment, and using high-efficiency motors, fans, energy efficient greenhouses and
lighting.

Twelve percent of global greenhouse gas emissions comes from agriculture, and six to nine
percent of farm expenses are energy related. (Yates, 2012). Various management practices for
agricultural soils can lead to production and emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) which has effects
on the environment (United States Enviromental Protection, 2015). As a results of this farmers
need to adapt an energy system of farming which:
a. Has no environmental implications on our surroundings
4

b. There is constant supply i.e. sustainability of energy is assured

c. Comes with relatively a cheaper cost
d. Ensure security of energy
To achieve this, farmers therefore need to adapt clean energy (renewable energy). Renewable
energy is energy which can be obtained from natural resources that can be constantly replenished
(Australian Renewable Energy, n.d.).
Farmers can develop renewable energy for their own use, installing small-scale solar or wind
systems or growing and converting biofuel crops for their own farming operations. These
projects not only save on fuel and utility costs but improve self-sufficiency and protect farms
from fluctuating oil and diesel prices. Installing small-scale solar and wind systems on our
property increases our energy security and allows us to lock in our cost of power for over 25
years. (JON FOSTER, 2015). Polygeneration is also a system which can be used, polygeneration
is a novel concept, of which energy systems are integrated. Tenability of output mix in response
to price, and resource input influx. Compared to conventional single-product systems,
polygeneration systems have many economic advantages, such as potentially high profitability
and high viability when exposed to market fluctuations (Chen, 2013).

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Today, Ghanas power situation represents a critical obstacle to the countrys continued strong
economic growth. Ghana currently has a nominal generation capacity of about 2,400MW and
dependable generation capacity of around 1,750MW. Currently, Ghana has a power generation
5

deficit in excess of 600MW as a result of lower than expected output from its hydroelectric
installed base and the reduced output of many of its thermal power plants due to maintenance
and fuel issues, explains Louis Josiah of Ghanaian partner Sage Petroleum (ERANOVE, 2015).

Farmers in North Tongu are faced with a lot of challenges, ranging from erratic power supply,
paying more for less power and lack of transmission lines to supply them with power, aside their
traditional areas. Agriculture is Ghanas most important economic sector, employing more than
half the population on a formal and informal basis and accounting for almost half of GDP and
export earnings. (Adam, 2011). Looking at our much dependence on agriculture, we need to
invest much in that sector to ensure food security now and for the upcoming generation.
Structure of Ghanas economic growth (Figure 1)

Therefore in the absence of energy, most farmers in the North Tongu district will go back to
subsistence farming and just a few will be left in large scale farming, thereby increasing farm
6

products as production cost will increase, thus threating food security. Taking into consideration
the rate of our population growth makes it more petrifying. And this calls for why farmers should
adapt clean energy farming. Clean energy forms are sustainable, self-replenishing and also has
no hazardous effects on the environment. Likely clean energy methods North Tongu farmers can
adopt to make their operations more profitable, efficient, secured and cleaner are:
a. Using energy-saving light bulbs and other energy saving appliances
b. Biofuel technologies. Waste Not, Want Not: Producing Energy from Waste
c. Photosynthesis to Photovoltaics
d. Polygeneration energy system. (hybrid of solar, wind and biogas)
After this study farmers will come to the realization that in order to make more profit and also to
ensure the smooth running of their business, they need to adopt to use of clean energy in their
farmlands.
With the increase in technology nowadays, harnessing these forms of energy has become quite
an easy to do. While energy efficiency measures are generally the fastest and cheapest way to
reduce energy-related costs, many farmers are now turning to their land and operations to
generate renewable energy (SARE, 2014).

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

General objective
The general objective of this study will be to show to farmers that it is feasible to use clean
energy in their farms, which is more sustainable and secured and also comes with relatively a

cheaper cost and also to show how they can help increase our food suppliers, to ensure continue
supply of foodstuffs without causing any harm to the enviroment.
Specific objectives
Specifically this study seeks to do the following
a. Examines the current supply of energy to North Tongu farmlands.
b. Compare farmlands that uses clean energy to farms that dont and compare the
difference.
c. Explore the challenges, positives and negatives associated with clean energy farming.
d. Explore the challenges, positives and negatives associated with using the convectional
energy systems.
e. Examine roles by government and non-governmental agencies do to ensure the
sustainability of clean energy

1.4 JUSTIFICATION

The need to do this study is immersed, especially considering the site of study. Looking at the
population statistics (figure 1 ) and the geographical descriptions, it points out that the main
occupation of the inhabitants of North Tongu is mainly farming, so without it their sources of
live hood is hard to come by. Also it shows that majority of their population comprises of the
youth, to combat youth unemployment which is a canker in this country. We need to invest in the
indigenous occupation and make it more sophisticated and lucrative to appeal the youth to join,
thus decreasing rural unban migration. Therefore, the;

Benefits of this study on the inhabitants of North Tongu are;

a. Creation of jobs for their youths as they are in majority looking the population table.
b.

Excess energy produced in the lands can be supplied to them in their various homes.

c. It will increase their living standards

d. Help build their own district
Benefit on the owners of farmlands/ farmers;
a. Reduce the amount of money the spent on energy.
b. They become energy secured.
c. Using energy efficient machines saves time and gives a high optimum output.
Benefits to the country and the world;
a. Reduces the emission of global warming gases.
b. Reduce burden on the national grid, thus energy can be redirected to other places.
United States Agency for International Development has setup a program called Powering
Agriculture. Powering Agriculture is a USAID-funded program focused on promoting and
funding the use of renewable energy in agriculture. The United Nations estimated that, to feed
the worlds population, at least 70% more food will need to be grown on the same amount of
agricultural land. To meet this demand, Powering Agriculture is working on clean energy
solutions to sustainably intensify agriculture production (Yates, 2012).

CHAPTHER TWO

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

2.1 LOCATION

The North Tongu District, which was curved out of the former Tongu District Council in 1989
by Legislative Instrument (L1.15) lies within latitudes 5047N to 60N and longitude 005 E to
0045. (GhanaStatistics, 2010). It is one of the twenty-five (25) districts in the Volta Region.
North Tongu district capital and administrative centre is Battor Dugame. Size: 1,460 square
kilometres. (GhanaStatistics, 2010)

2.2 DEMOGRAPHIC

POPULATIONS BY AGE AND SEX OF NORTH TONGU DISTRICT (Figure 2).

Age Group

Number

All Ages
04
59
10 14
15 19
20 24
25 29
30 34
35 39
40 44
45 49
50 54
55 59
60 64
65 69
70 74
75 79
80 84
85 +

89,777
11,480
11,354
11,333
10,726
8,275
6,654
5,424
4,701
4,049
3,268
3,002
1,972
1,931
1,137
1,630
1,115
882
844

100.0
12.8
12.6
12.6
11.9
9.2
7.4
6.0
5.2
4.5
3.6
3.3
2.2
2.2
1.3
1.8
1.2
1.0
9.0

42,492
5,739
5,669
5,583
5,427
4,047
3,035
2,376
2,101
1,741
1,496
1,367
930
837
529
570
445
303
297

100.0
13.5
13.3
13.1
12.8
9.5
7.1
5.6
4.9
4.1
3.5
3.2
2.2
2.0
1.2
1.3
1.0
0.7
0.7

All Ages
0-14
15-64
65+
Age dependency
ratio

89,777
34,167
50,002
5,608

100.0
38.1
55.7
6.2

42,492
16,991
23,357
2,144

100.0
40.0
55.0
5.0

79.5

Percent

Number

Percent

81.9

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census (Ghana Statiscal, 2010)
10

2.3 BOUNDARIES

North Tongu District is bounded by: the Lake Volta to the west, Ho Municipal District and
the Akatsi South District to the east, South Tongu District to the south east, and Adaklu
District to the north.. Because of its boundaries with the Lake Volta its a good place for rice
farming. Modern rice farmers, such as those in the United States, use irrigation to produce rice.
In this method, rice farmers are able to control the flow and amount of water needed to produce
the rice. Water is drawn from nearby rivers or wells to flood the fields, here Lake Volta. Rice
fields, where water is controlled by the farmer. With this the farmer needs constant supply of
electricity for power the irrigating processes. In the absence of electricity the farmers greatly
losses a lot as water wouldnt be able to be drawn from the nearby Lake for the cultivation of
rice.

2.4 CLIMATE

The climate of the District is Tropical, greatly influenced by the South West Monosoons from
the south Atlantic and the dry Harmattan winds from the Sahara. There are two rainy seasons, the
major one from mid April to early July and the minor from September to November. The
average annual rainfall varies from 900mm to 1100mm with more than 50 per cent of it falling in
the major season. Rainfall generally is inadequate even during the major season, which adversely
affects both crop and cattle production in the District. (GhanaStatistics, 2010)

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2.5 OCCUPATION

Their main occupation is farming predominantly rice farming. As a result theyve many farm
lands and also many individuals and other cooperate bodies and agencies have invested hugely in
their rice farms. Examples are the Aveyime rice farms and fields, (Ardayfio, 2009), Praire Volta
Limited and Cassi Farms (Ghana Statiscal, 2010)

A native of North Tongu at a rice farm. Source google images (figure 3)

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CHAPTHER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3. RESEARCH METHOLOGY

It is a science of studying how research is to be carried out. Essentially, the procedures by which
researchers go about their work of describing, explaining and predicting a phenomena or how a
procedure should go. It is also defined as the study of methods by which knowledge is gained. Its
aim is to give the work plan of research. (S. Rajasekar, P. Philominathan Department, & V.
Chinnathambi, 2013). This chapter gives detailed account of how data was obtained for
the study, from data collection to data analysis.

3.1 DATA COLLECTION

This is one of the key and most vital aspect to the study. Here data will be collected from various
sites to validate my study. Data will be collected from both primary and secondary sources.
Primary data will be collected using questionnaires; key-informant interviews with officials and
in-depth interviews with farm owners and caretakers of various farmlands. The questionnaires
will be administered to collect data related to the topic and objectives of the study.
Our data will be collected from the various farmlands, to check the feasibility of using clean
energy farming, whether it is cost effective, and also how the help reduce emission of CO2 in the
atmosphere.
Two approach in data collection will be used, that is the quantitative and the qualitative. The
quantitative approach will attain hard data in the form of numbers, while the qualitative approach
obtained soft data in the form of impressions, words, sentences etc. (Neuman, 2003). The data
13

collection instruments consisted of a questionnaire and interview guides and interactions. The
questionnaire contained both open and close ended questions.

3.2 SAMPLE SPACING AND SIZING

To increase the authenticity and how valid and strong our study will hold and to directly
represent what is on the field, our data will be collected from all farmland (large scale and those
involved in mechanized farming) across the North Tongu district.
We will first separate farmlands that are already using clean energy in their farming practices, be
it energy efficiency methods or renewable energy adaptation. Data will be categorized as to how
they are using their mechanism, how it has affected; either positively or negatively.
We will also select four farmlands that uses conventional energy system from different locations
within the district and use it for our main experiment. Here one out of the four will be used as
our control experiment, were conditions wouldnt be tempered. We will apply clean energy
technologies to the three left, one being energy efficient technology only, the other being
renewable energy adaptation only, one also being a combination of renewable energy and the
convectional energy systems and the last on solely renewable energy and energy efficiency, thus
total clean energy farming.
Lastly, we will collect values from farmlands that are naturally using the convectional energy
systems on their own, as they will be in the majority, enough data will be collected from them
which will apparently represent the energy usage, consumption rate and how an average
farmland in North Tongu uses energy.

14

Data collated will be from all angles, which represent all energy relative aspects of the farm
lands. Our major aim in the collection of data is for it to be representative; as much so that when
people seek to adopt the findings of this study, problems will be avoided.

3.3 DATA ANALYSICS

Our data will be analyzed numerical and non-numerical, since the data will have both theoretical
and empirical focus. Whereas the qualitative data will give us a comprehensive detail and
understanding of the real problem, the quantitative data that will be converted to bars, charts,
graphs etc. it will enable statistical depth of variables, which will be core in validating our
study.
Other soft wares will be used in analyzing our collated data. Soft wares likes Mathlad will be
used in calculating the mean, variance and other needed parameters that will be needed in
drawing the final conclusions. Microsoft excel will be used in drawing of graphs, charts etc.
which will be more a scientific in depth analysis, to explain them further for the non-science
oriented personnels to be able to understand, interpret, and adopt the measures suggested.

15

CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 EXPECTED OUTCOME
At the end of this study we will expect that;
a. People will realize that it cost less to adapt renewable energy technologies at the
farmlands
b. It will be advantageous on behalf of farmers to adapt energy efficient measures
c. Not all waste is waste
d. Development of efficiency program evaluation and monitoring capacity
e. Adopting this methods saves time.
f. Unemployment rate in North Tongu will decrease exponentially.

4.1 TIMELINE

ACTIVITIES
MONTH 1
Proposal
writing
Setting up
equipments
and
experiment
Data
collection and
Data analysis
Report writing
Submission

MONTH 2

MONTH 3

Table 1
16

MONTH 4

MONTH 5

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