NASENI’s Powerstove: A Nigerian Innovation Tackling Energy Crisis and Environmental Degradation
Nigeria’s energy crisis and environmental challenges have sparked a groundbreaking solution: the Powerstove. This homegrown clean cooking technology, developed by a Nigerian startup with federal government backing through NASENI, is revolutionizing household energy use while combating deforestation and carbon emissions.
The Urgent Need for Clean Cooking Solutions
According to the Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy & Access (ACSEA), over 70% of rural Nigerian households rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking. This dependence contributes to widespread deforestation, desertification, and severe indoor air pollution – all significant factors in climate change and public health crises.
Women and children bear the brunt of this crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 98,000 Nigerian women die annually from firewood use. “If a woman cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s equivalent to smoking between three and 20 packets of cigarettes a day,” the WHO states.
NASENI’s Strategic Intervention
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the Presidency, has invested in Powerstove Energy to develop innovative clean cookstoves. These stoves offer a sustainable alternative to traditional cooking methods while protecting both health and environment.
How Powerstove Works
The NASENI Powerstove operates on biomass with a self-charging system that converts heat to electricity. Engineered for cleaner, more efficient burning, it significantly reduces harmful emissions and fuel consumption.
Engr. Ijeoma B. Nnoromele, NASENI’s Powerstove Team Lead, explains: “The device uses bio-pellets in a specially designed combustion chamber to create a high-intensity flame that cooks food five times faster than traditional methods. Excess heat converts into electricity for charging phones and powering LED bulbs.”
Transformative Benefits
The smokeless, zero-emission stove offers multiple advantages:
- 40% reduction in fuel expenses
- Improved indoor air quality
- Off-grid electricity for lighting and phone charging
- Reduced deforestation and carbon emissions
- Income generation opportunities for women
Scaling Up Production
NASENI has provided funding and technical support to scale production from 100,000 to over one million cookstoves annually. Powerstove currently operates Nigeria’s largest private-sector carbon credit project, valued at 4.5 million credits.
Powerstove CEO Okey Esse revealed the company produces 10,000-15,000 units monthly, with capacity to reach 40,000. Ten new solar-powered assembly factories are being established nationwide through partnerships with global energy firm ENI and U.S.-based partner Pastor Van Nys.
Innovative Carbon Credit System
The project pioneers digital carbon credit generation, launching its proprietary standard at COP28 with $30 million in contracts signed. Using Blockchain, IoT, and AI, it has generated over two million carbon credits with transparent tracking.
This initiative represents NASENI’s commitment to supporting Nigerian companies leading decarbonization efforts while addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.
For more information, read the original article on Daily Trust.