By Fredrick Odiero
Dr Aguko Kabok, a senior lecturer at the Department of Engineering at JOOUST. Photo Fredrick Odiero
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) has lined up a series of innovations as it strives to find a footing in the fast changing technological global trends.
The Bondo based higher institution of learning has come up with a wind power which is used to turn turbines using magnetic blades.
A senior lecturer at the department of engineering at the university Dr Aguko Kabok said the wind power uses the blade magnetic turbines to produce electricity.
He said that they intend to use the technology for use in the rural areas since it will be cheaper way of producing power.
The technology lights a spotlight and can perform several functions when modernized.
He said that most wind energy comes from turbines that can be as tall as a 20-story building and have three 200-foot (60-meter)-long blades.
The wind spins the blades, which turn a shaft connected to a generator that produces electricity. He explained that wind is a clean source of renewable energy that produces no air or water pollution.
He added that since the wind is free, operational costs are nearly zero once a turbine is erected.
The institution has also come up with a biogas production unit which uses all kinds of wastes ranging from tomatoes and other left overs.
The biogas is kept in a bag before it is moved to a stove. Some of the students behind the innovation include Mary Wambui, Elkana Maina and a community worker Harrison Otieno. They have been working on the concept since 2017.
Dr Aguko Kabok, a senior lecturer at the Department of Engineering at JOOUST. Photo Fredrick Odiero
The Department of Biological Sciences led by Dr. Solomon Omwona who is a senior lecturer has also come up with a reactor which uses various wastes such as cow dung and chicken wastes to produce biogas.
Dr. Omwona said they stared working on the concept late last year and found out that it is environmentally friendly.
He said the wastes are poured into the reactor which is a tank after which they fermented. It has a gauge which monitors the flow of gas from the reactor.
“The reactor often refilled when the gauge goes down”, he says.
They have already patented the concept so that it is not stolen by other people.
The don said biogas generation recovers waste materials that would otherwise pollute landfills and prevents the use of toxic chemicals in sewage treatment plants, and saves money.
He said it is effective since it produces energy and material by treating waste on-site.
“Moreover, biogas usage does not require fossil fuel extraction to produce energy”, he explained.
The materials used are secured even in the rural settings. He said the stove used is also locally made in the jua kali and is cost effective.
Dr Aguko and Omwona said they have other innovations which they don’t want to disclose for fear of being stolen by other parties.
