Historical Background
The Sokoto Energy Research Centre (SERC) was established in 1982 by the Senate of the University as an Energy Research Unit — an inter-disciplinary body comprising members of staff drawn from various faculties, with the bulk drawn from the Faculty of Science. The University’s Research and Publications Committee funded the research and development activities of the Unit in its earliest days.
Towards the end of 1982, the Federal Government decided to make the University of Sokoto the national Centre for Solar Energy Research. The University was informed of the decision through a letter from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, reference SFMST/ISE/206/S.1/149/50 of November 1982, accompanied by a one million naira (₦1m) take-off grant. Under that letter, the newly established Centre was to conduct research and development as well as manpower training in solar energy.
With the establishment of the Energy Commission of Nigeria in 1988, the Commission took over the supervision and funding of the Centre. SERC is currently located on its old and new sites within the main campus of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The laboratories, workshops, library, some staff offices and the testing area are on the old site, while the administrative block, auditorium, staff offices and computer room are on the permanent site.
Established by the University Senate as an inter-disciplinary Energy Research Unit.
The Federal Government designates the University of Sokoto as the Centre for Solar Energy Research, with a ₦1 million take-off grant.
The Energy Commission of Nigeria assumes supervision and funding of the Centre.
The Small Hydropower Unit is established to study hydropower potential on the Sokoto and Rima Rivers.
Postgraduate programmes in renewable energy (M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D) commence in conjunction with the Department of Chemistry.
Our Vision
To spearhead the mitigation of environmental damage and the alleviation of poverty through the promotion of the use of environmentally friendly energy sources, such as solar and other renewable energy resources, in Nigeria.
Our Mission
To expand the frontiers of knowledge in the harnessing and utilisation of solar and other renewable energy resources in Nigeria.
Research and Development
Since its inception, the Centre has focused its attention on the research and development of renewable energy systems, in order to arrest the ecological problems of desert encroachment, soil erosion and desertification. It does so through design strategies, the establishment of credible research and development infrastructure, capacity building, and public awareness aimed at tackling the barriers to renewable energy technology penetration in Nigeria.
The human and institutional capacity required to sustain research and development — and the technical skills relevant to the design, development, fabrication, installation and maintenance of renewable energy technologies that would meet Nigeria’s future energy security challenges — have also been developed at the Centre.
The development and monitoring of renewable energy technologies has largely been driven by global programmes of research, development and demonstration together with financial incentives, most especially in developed countries. If Nigeria is to benefit optimally from the application of renewable energy technology, it must have credible funding for research, collaborative research between industry and academia, and the commercialisation of research and development output.
Model Rural City
In line with the mission and vision of the Centre, SERC has reached an advanced stage in establishing a rural model city at the Centre, run entirely on integrated renewable energy systems — solar thermal, hybrid solar photovoltaic and wind systems, and biomass systems comprising switch grass and Jatropha for biodiesel and biogas for cooking and electricity generation, as well as energy plantations. The model city is intended to demonstrate to the public the practical use of integrated renewable energy systems in transforming rural areas.
Centre of Excellence
The Federal Ministry of Education’s Science and Technology Education Post-Basic (STEP B) project granted provisional approval for the University, through SERC, to be supported to emerge as a Centre of Excellence in Renewable Energy Research and Development. The Centre’s proposal competed against over 100 other proposals from educational and research institutions across the country, and carried financial support to the tune of USD 4,200,000. In collaboration with the other institutions named in the proposal, the Centre aims to become a leading institute in research, innovation and capacity building across the different areas of renewable energy technology.
Constraints
The Centre’s own assessment identifies the following principal constraints on its work:
- Inadequate funds for research projects.
- Inadequate funds for the acquisition of research facilities.
- Inadequate funds for manpower training.
- Entrepreneurs not showing sufficient interest in commercialising renewable energy systems that the Centre has already developed.