ENHANCING URBAN ENERGY SECURITY THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS Case Study- Douala, Cameroon ( ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PROJECT TOPIC)
ABSTRACT
The Purpose of this research is to examine the potentials of renewable energy (RE) and to enhance energy security (ES) within the present Douala metropolis. The production and use of renewable energy has been identified as part of the solution to be adopted and to improve the current energy crisis, and as a necessary inclusive contrivance towards creating a sustainable city. Most cities in Cameroon are faced with energy problem. The constant energy shortage has result in the deterioration of Douala urban environment. The main focus of this thesis is to create a sustainable Douala city by utilizing the energy potentials identified.
Urban population growth is unavoidable around the world. Therefore, the demand and supply of energy use will defiantly increase. An explicit and proactive method to enhance the preserved concept to energy security (ES) is suggested in this thesis. By applying, producing, and maintaining such phenomenon, this will benefit the Douala environment and its urban slums.
In order to achieve this, the present energy production and management methods were analysed; three Interviews were carried out, books, articles, journals and online sources were examined. Also, a specific indicator such as technology was identified to examine the vulnerability and less effectiveness to energy security (ES). Thus, measuring the current energy situation within this predefined urban area, the indicators measure a very poor urban energy security (ES). Herein, some solutions were proposed which constituted the recommendations for this study.
Key Words:Â Renewable Energy (RE), Energy Security (ES), Urban Energy (UE), Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
In developing nations nowadays, urban energy security is not just essential for enhancing a good quality of life for the urban dwellers, this also increases the effects of creating sustainable urban development and poverty eradication within the urban areas. Nowadays, energy crisis is subjected to climate change and non-sustainable future which also causes degradation of our environment and makes it vulnerable. One of the most challenging task in recent urban areas is the comparative evaluation of energy security and climate change alongside modern approaches and policies which actually occurs under certain conditions of socio-economic and demographical change.
This piece of work proves that, urban energy security, if managed, planned and implemented well, creates an essential benefit for urban dwellers and this aspect will enhance the day to day life of people and the environment. People have come to understand that all these factors together with the protection of our environment make nature liveable, healthier and above all sustainable. Within the twenty-first century, sustainability has become the main challenge in cities and arguable the major focus in present-day science and research. (Lakala & Vehmas 2011)
Urbanization is seen as an important universal inclination regarding energy crisis as urban areas are the world’s most habitat places. Energy security and renewables thus play a critical role in providing valuable ecosystems within our ever-growing urban environments which in effect makes it sustainable.
