Energy Efficient, Renewable Energy and Eco-house to Benefit Poor Households in Cameroon

Excellence Week for Scientific Research and Innovation in Cameroon JERSIC 2009

By Mempouo Blaise
ARPEDAC
Association pour la Recherche et la Promotion de lEnergie Durable en Afrique Centrale

OVERVIEW
Introduction Statement of the Problem Eco House Eco-House and MDGs LINK Practical Approach to Meet Eco-House Standards Need of National Policies, norms and standards for energy efficiency and Renewable energy in buildings Conclusion

INTRODUCTION (1/2)

There is now clear scientific and political agreement in the world that global warming is happening and that CO2 and others greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere are responsible of; Cameroon has committed to stabilise its carbon emissions and also to reduce poverty, but no clear targets have been established However develop country such as UK has committed to reduce its carbon emission and has published 2008 UK Climate Change Act , which sets new targets reduction as following...

INTRODUCTION (2/2)
(UKs new targets reduction )

1990
Base Levels

2012

2020

2050

20% reduction of CO2 from 1990 levels by 2012 34% (increased from 26%) reduction by 2020 80% (increased from 60%) reduction by 2050

Source: Committee on Climate Charge , 2008 UK Climate Change Act

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM (1/4)

Global population is 50% urban, about 3 billion, but one billion people, are living in slums Due to rising population and Climate change refugees from flood and drought, rapid urbanisation is taking place Slum population will reach 1.4 billion in 2020 In Cameroon , urbanisation is projected to be more than 50% in 2010 from 2007 level. And low cost homes grow as the cities grow

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM (1/4)

2007 end consumption of energy by sector

Source: SIE-CAMEROUN (http://www.siecameroun.org/)

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM (1/4)

Source: SIE-CAMEROUN (http://www.siecameroun.org/)

ECO-HOUSE
Eco House, or Low energy house , or green building are terms frequently used to define a house, whose energy consumption and CO2 emission are lower than for a similar conventional house.

ECO-HOUSE AND MDGS LINK

Goal 7, Target 7c and 7d

Target 7c : Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation Target 7d:Achieve significant improvement in lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, by 2020

Practical Approach to Meet Eco-House standards

Eco- Home
Renewable energy measures
Energy efficiency measures

Building services measures Building envelop measures Orientation measures

ECO HOUSE (1/4)

(Orientation measures)

The aim is to optimise the use of direct natural sunlight, to achieve thermal comfort with minimal conventional energy input
Renewable Energy measures Users measures Building regulation compliance checking

Orientation measures

ECO HOUSE (2/4)

(Building envelop measures)

Renewable Energy measures Users measures

Wall Floor Roof Windows Doors Ceiling

Building regulation compliance checking

Building envelop measures

ECO HOUSE (3/4)

(Building envelop measures)

Building envelops materials are made with appropriate building materials, such as material with high thermal mass, which are able to store heat/cool during the day and release slowly when needed

Current Low cost housing in Cameroon : Hollow cement block for wall and concrete flooring , which have reasonable thermal capacity Alternative material such as earth brick have much high thermal capacities but have been rejected by communities in earlier projects, as they are perceived to be inferior material

ECO HOUSE (4/4)

(Building services measures)

Renewable Energy measures Users measures

Building services measures

Building envelop measures

In Cameroon, the urban poor households rely on: - biomass for cooking; - kerosene and candles for lighting; -Illegal electricity connection; -Inadequate water distribution system Access to modern energy system is still beyond their reach.

Need of National Policies, norms and standards for energy efficiency and Renewable energy in building
In

Cameroon design of most modern buildings and low cost homes are not adapted to the local climate, resulting in unnecessary energy needed for lighting, cooling or heating The preference building material such as aluminium sheet with poor thermal characteristic, results to major energy wasted to create in-door comfort.

CONCLUSION (1/2)
MDGs and Sustainable Development goals in Cameroon are unlikely to be achieve without intensive R&D activities to address low energy homes requirements. Emphasis should be given to the following issues: 1. Passive building systems 2. Energy and environmental conscious design of low cost homes should not be seen as a developed countries business, but research needed to be done to find an appropriate approach for eco-house in Cameroon and then integrate the results into Building Regulations

CONCLUSION (2/2)

Most cities in Cameroon have untapped renewable energy potentials that could address poor households energy shortages. however Particular R&D on use of renewable energy technologies in buildings, as opposed to conventional energy. R&D activity to address

the following aspects of Eco-house is needed: Energy efficiency Energy producer (PV integrated); Affordability; Climatic conditions (smart); and Human thermal comfort

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION