Author(s)

Moungnutou Mfetoum Inoussah^1*, Moukengue Imano Adolphe¹, Lissouck Daniel²

¹University Institute of Technology of Douala, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
²Department of Renewable Energy, Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College of KUMBA, University of Buea, Kumba, Cameroon.

In this paper, we evaluate the performance and sustainability indicators of various thermal power generation technologies in Cameroon using the exergy analysis tools. For this purpose, on the basis of data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for Cameroon corresponding to the period from 2006 to 2014, we calculated the average energy and exergy efficiencies of each electricity generation technology from thermal sources. The average values of the exergy efficiencies obtained are respectively 28.97% for the LFO plants, 30.94% for the HFO plants, 34.66% for the biofuel plants and 36.67% for the gas-fired plants. The average sustainability indexes for each of the technologies are determined and values range from 1.56 for LFO plants to 2.12 for biofuel plants. The improvement potentials of each technology are calculated in order to identify the tracks of increase of their efficiency. Average values range from 165.57 GWh for biofuel plants to 1301.77 GWh for LFO plants. The results of this study should enable the development of productive and applicable planning for future energy policies, in particular for the electricity sector in Cameroon.

Exergy, Efficiency, Power Generation, Sustainability, Cameroon

Inoussah, M. , Adolphe, M. and Daniel, L. (2017) Assessment of Sustainability Indicators of Thermoelectric Power Generation in Cameroon Using Exergetic Analysis Tools. Energy and Power Engineering, 9, 22-39. doi: 10.4236/epe.2017.91003.