Ijeoma Williams Muzan is a Ph.D candidate in environmental engineering and earth sciences at Clemson University. He specialises in conducting life cycle and techno-economic assessments of emerging technologies and renewable energy systems.
With a master’s degree in renewable energy technologies, he possesses a robust skill set in energy planning and management, research design, technical STEM communication, and data analysis.
His expertise extends to publishing research articles and presenting at conferences, and he has industrial experience in hygienic product development and construction project management. He has earned recognition from various institutions, including scholarship awards from the Rivers State of Nigeria Government, the World Bank African Centre of Excellence (ACE), and the 2021 CEO award in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area from IPEEMA.
Muzan’s research focuses on environmental engineering, heavily influenced by his life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) background. He conducts comprehensive LCAs on mass timber building construction, light-duty vehicles, and renewable energy systems, while his TEA proficiency aids in evaluating the economic viability of sustainable technologies. His management and technical skills have been instrumental in various projects, including a research publication in Elsevier Journal titled Industrial Robot Implementation.
Muzan has contributed to reputable academic journals, with his latest publication in Energies MDPI Journal focusing on the techno-economic assessment of commercial solar PV systems in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This research aims to reduce dependence on diesel generators, aligning with Nigeria’s goals outlined in the 2021 Climate Change Act.
Below is a summary of his latest journal article in Energies MDPI Journal titled, Techno-economic assessment of the viability of commercial solar PV systems in Rivers State, Nigeria:
The article’s introduction outlines the study’s focus on assessing the viability and advantages of substituting diesel generators with solar PV systems in commercial setups, mainly supermarkets in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It evaluates the economic feasibility, energy efficiency, and environmental impact of using solar PV systems as an alternative energy source, employing vital economic indicators like net present value, levelised cost of electricity, payback period, and internal rate of return. Additionally, the introduction highlights the potential for cost savings, reduced carbon emissions, and extra income generation through selling surplus energy back to the grid.
“The study’s methodology involved conducting an energy audit at the supermarkets to ascertain daily electrical load requirements, designing a solar PV system to meet these demands, and evaluating the system’s economic and environmental viability. The load profile analysis centred on the energy audit, employing PVsyst software for PV system modeling. A financial model was developed, and IPCC guidelines determined carbon savings,” he writes.
The study aims to enhance energy density, decrease reliance on diesel generators, and boost renewable energy utilisation in Nigeria’s electricity mix.
The results and discussion section underscores the feasibility and benefits of replacing diesel generators with standalone solar PV systems in commercial settings, specifically supermarkets in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Economic analysis utilising indicators such as Simple Payback Time, Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) demonstrated the financial viability of solar PV systems, with a payback period of four years and an internal rate of return of 20.5 per cent.
These systems were shown to produce more electricity, reduce carbon emissions, and yield cost savings over their 25-year lifespan. Using solar PV systems in Port Harcourt’s supermarkets significantly curbed energy demand, reducing carbon emissions and substantial savings over the project’s duration.
The study recommends utilising standalone PV systems for regional commercial applications, stressing their environmental and economic advantages over diesel generators. Additionally, it emphasized the significance of optimising system design for improved performance and the potential for additional income through surplus energy sales to the grid.
The study suggests that transitioning from diesel generators to solar PV systems in Port Harcourt’s supermarkets can lead to financial gains, reduced carbon emissions, and increased renewable energy integration in Nigeria’s electricity mix. It underscores the importance of system design optimisation and highlights potential income opportunities from surplus energy sales. These findings can guide policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders in advancing clean energy adoption and addressing energy challenges in the commercial sector.
In addition, at Clemson University’s energy-economy-environment (E3) system analysis research group, ongoing research focuses on integrating mass timber into high-rise office building construction and leveraging solar PV and other renewable energy technologies to enhance energy access in remote areas.
“This research aims to tackle sustainable development challenges in Nigeria by exploring innovative solutions that merge renewable energy with eco-friendly building materials. By investigating the feasibility of integrating mass timber and renewable energy technologies, the research contributes to a more sustainable future nationally and globally. Recently, manuscripts titled “Technical, Economic, and Environmental Feasibility Assessment of Solar-Battery-Generator Hybrid Energy Systems: A Case Study in Nigeria” and “To BEV or not to BEV? A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Light-Duty Vehicles” have been submitted for publication, undergoing peer review before official publication,” he says.
