Preface

Abstract

Proceedings of the 4th International Conference/ Training Workshop on Energy for Sustainable Development in Africa being held at the National Center for Energy Research and Development (NCERD), University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 2020, 4th International Conference/ Training Workshop on Energy for Sustainable Development in Africa (ICTWESDA 2020) aimed at fostering advancement in energy in all ramifications and knowledge transfer in Africa through various contributions by experts in engineering and sciences. This event is structured to hold along with a professional training workshop on solar PV systems design, installation and maintenance being organized by the NCERD in collaboration with the German International Cooperation (GIZ), for individuals with engineering and science background, and electricians with adequate technical experience.The major goal of this conference/ workshop is to promote high quality research and practical impact of science and technology, and innovations in an atmosphere of international co-operation among the scientists, engineers and industries by bringing together the topnotch scholars and institutions to discuss recent advancement in energy sector as well as knowledge transfer in Africa in a single platform of mutual understanding.The training workshop is structured to impact on the shortlisted participants’ technical competence in planning, designing and installation of solar PV systems and capacity to conduct troubleshooting, repair and maintenance, and economic analysis in conformity with the requirements of the 2016 Nigerian Competency Standards for Clean Energy. A Certificate of Competency in solar PV system installations will be awarded to participants who satisfy the minimum requirement. The training is being conducted by solar PV experts from NCERD in collaboration with GIZ at the National Center for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, with only 20 shortlisted participants, under strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.However, in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic issues and the consequent restrictions on large gatherings, the Conference is rescheduled to hold virtual. All the participants and invited guest speakers were requested to prepare and make video/slide presentations of their papers and speeches via the virtual ZOOM platforms adopted for the conference. The zoom links have been provided to all the participants and speakers to enable them participate and make their presentations. The participants are urged to login to any technical sessions of their interest to interact, exchange ideas and knowledge with other scholars working in the same or similar research areas.The programme of this conference has the opening session, plenary and technical parallel sessions. Highly distinguished scholars are invited to speak and discuss the theme of the conference: energy solutions for attainment of sustainable development goals in Africa. The technical parallel sessions chaired by distinguished scholars cover the following areas: solar thermal, thin films, solar photovoltaic and energy storage, energy efficiency and management, biofuels, wind energy/technology, energy and environment, climate change and energy in education, energy and other related issues. The activities of this conference are very adequate to offer you the expected wonderful opportunity to interact extensively and share ideas with your peers and other eminent scholars working in your similar research areas. We are confident that your effective participation in the ICTWESDA 2020 activities will offer you a very rewarding technical and scholarly experience.We are very grateful to members of the organizing committees and the reviewers of the technical papers. They worked tirelessly in organizing this event and the reviewers made critical reviews of all the submitted papers as well as giving valuable suggestions to enable the authors improve their work. We would also like to appreciate the authors for contributing their research result to the conference and the GIZ for providing technical equipment needed to facilitate the solar PV training workshop practical demonstrations.We remain very grateful to our invited guests and all the participants for their contributions in hosting this event and wishing them a very memorable experience as they enjoy their participations in the activities of this conference. We look forward to having you participate in the next coming ICTWESDA.List of ICTWESDA 2020 Committees, (A) Local Organizing Committee (LOC), (B) Technical/Scientific Steering Committee, Local:, (C) Technical/Scientific Steering Committee, International:, are available in the pdf