KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
KUMASI,GHANA.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY – CENG 291
TOPIC: SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO ENERGY
INEFFICIENCY IN KWASHIEMAN.
BY: NDIMKORAH FRANK CHINONSO
Index number: 7216923
Reference number: 21006030
Date: December 2, 2024
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Firstly, I give thanks to God Almighty for the grace He showed me throughout the project, from
the start to the end he has been merciful. I also wish to extend my appreciation to my course coordinator,
Dr. Samuel Boahen, and all my supervisors and for their guidance and support. Finally, I would like to
appreciate my parents, siblings and friends for their immense support in the completion of the project. I
also appreciate my community for their cooperation and support.
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This report gives a brief background in the course Engineering in Society(CENG 291). The
purpose of my project was to find means to curb energy inefficiency in Kwashieman community.
Specifically, my report will be on the Kwashieman traffic light and the street lights in the
community. I gathered relevant data through survey and careful observation. Based on the result,
the Kwashieman traffic lights that regulates traffic on the George Bush highway wasn’t much of
a help in regulating traffic whenever there was power outage, therefore causing traffic jams.
Also, the street lights weren’t operating fully as they suppose to be and were costing a lot in
terms of maintenance and safety. They are either non-operational, consuming a lot of power or
malfunctioning.
As a student reading Mechanical engineering, I applied my field to suggest possible solutions
to this problem. i suggested that the solar panels should be installed on both the traffic light and
the street lights. This, together with, the main supply will ensure that these infrastructures are
operational when needed.
In addition, it was suggested that smart lighting sensor should be fixed on street lights to
regulate the operating hours of the street lights in my community. Furthermore, the use LEDs
street light was also recommended as these were more sustainable than the sodium lamps.
Recommendations and references are also included for further studies.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...............................................................................................................1
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................5
1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE COURSE ................................................................................5
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT .............................................................................. 5
1.1.1 OBJECTIVES OF MY PROJECT .......................................................................... 6
1.1.2 THE AIM OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................ 6
1.2 CONTENTS OF THE REPORT ........................................................................................7
MATERIALS AND METHODS .................................................................................................... 8
3.0 MAP PREPARATION ...................................................................................................... 8
3.1 DATA COLLECTION ...................................................................................................... 8
3.2 SURVEY STATISTICS .................................................................................................... 8
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ................................................................................................. 10
4.0 DESCRIPTION OF KWASHIEMAN COMMUNITY ...................................................10
5.0 THE NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBLEM ...................................... 13
5.1 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ......................................................................................... 17
5.2 BRANCHES OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ...................................................... 17
5.3 PROPOSED SOLUTION ........................................................................................................19
5.4SOLAR POWER AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF ENERGY .............................19
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ............................................................................ 21
6.0 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................21
6.1 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................. 21
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................22
APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................... 23
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FIG 3. 1: THIS CHART SHOWS OPINIONS OF RESIDENETS WHO PATICIPTED IN ...............9
FIG 4. 1: Satellite View of Kwashieman Community .........................................................................11
FIG 4. 2: Pictorial View of Kwashieman Community ........................................................................ 12
FIG 5. 1: A View Of A Street At Kwashieman (without a functioning street light) ...........................14
FIG 5. 2”: A View Of a Street at Kwashieman ................................................................................... 14
FIG 5. 3: The Kwashieman Traffic-light .............................................................................................15
FIG 5. 4: The Kwashieman Traffic-light .............................................................................................16
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Engineering is the creative application of science and mathematical method in
the innovation, design, construction, and maintenance of structures, machines, devices, systems
and processes.
Engineering in society (CENG 291) is an engineering course studied by first year
engineering students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The course
was introduced in the 2012/13 academic year by Professor S.I.K Ampadu, who was the Provost
of the College of Engineering. The sole aim of the course is to make students appreciate
engineering. The course help students address community challenges by finding solutions across
various life disciplines.
CENG 291 is aimed at encouraging students early in their fields of engineering to apply their
knowledge acquired in solving problems faced in everyday lives of the society. This will help
students deepen their understanding in their chosen field of engineering.
Energy is the backbone of any economic system. The energy industry includes the discovery,
production, distribution, and sale of energy for multiple power needs including heat, light,
propulsion, and whatever else energy may be needed for. There are two primary sources of
energy: renewable alternative fuels and fossil fuels. Alternative fuels include energy sources
such as wind, water, solar, geothermal, bio-diesel, or nuclear power. Fossil fuels account for
nearly 80% of the world’s energy consumption and include oil, gas, and coal.
Energy has been one of the greatest forces that has led the to the achievements, as well as,
downfall in human history. How it is being utilized depicts the future of the human race and the
fate of the world we live. Energy inefficiency is a term to a major source of waste, pollution, and
cost for business and household. It means more energy is used than necessary to perform a task.
By identifying and reducing energy inefficiency, you can save money improve performance and
reduce negative impacts on the environment.
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The objectives of this project is:
Investigate the cause of suboptimal energy utilisation in the public lighting system in
Kwashieman.
Propose solutions using knowledge from Mechanical engineering.
Recommend ideas on improving the suggested solution.
The aim of this project to mitigate energy inefficiency in the operation of Kwashieman’s street
lamps and its traffic light.
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This report contains:
Identification of problems in my society, Kwashieman.
Ways data regarding the problems was collected.
A map and description of Kwashieman.
Proposed solutions to the specified problem.
Summary of the report.
Recommendations to the hypothesised solution to the problem.
Sample of questionnaires and Letter of Introduction.
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Sustainable solutions to energy inefficiency in Kwashieman. This report will based on the
traffic light and street lights in my community.
Google earth and Google map were used to create a satellite view and a pictorial view of
Kwashieman community.
The following methods were used to gather data in the community of Kwashieman. They
include:
Careful observation of the condition of the community.
From news channels e.g Joy News.
Questionnaires were distributed to people (both in-person and online) in my community for
their opinion on the problem.
I distributed my questionnaires to 35 people. From the responses received,18 people confirmed
the traffic lights, together with the street lights were not efficient enough, 6 choose inconsistent
water supply and 11 choose frequent power outages.below is the data represented in a pie chart..
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FIG 3. 1: THIS CHART SHOWS OPINIONS OF RESIDENETS WHO
PATICIPTED IN THE SURVEY.
From the data received, The residents have expressed that improvements are needed for the
efficiency of the traffic lights and street lights.
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Kwashieman is a town located in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region’s Accra Metropolitan
area. Kwashieman is situated north-West of Official Town, and north of North Odorkor. The
area is one of the most popular places in Accra. The area is a section of populated places in
Accra.
Kwashieman is pretty unique. The people who live there are a colourful mix of cultures –
Christians, Muslims, Ga’s, Ashanti’s and many other tribes in Ghana and the suburb has a
distinctive cosmopolitan atmosphere. People are not scared to stroll the streets. Arguably one of
the things that makes the area very popular to locals is its traffic market -people selling in traffic
any time it is on red.
Kwashieman is one of the active suburbs in Accra, which lies close to some of the top places in
Accra like Lapaz, Darkoman, Odorkor and many other active places. The area is not one of the
best places for tourists but it is one of the best places to stay in Ghana for locals looking to
relocate to a new area.
It is a very busy place commonly occupied by traders.Some landmarks are Goil Filling station,
KFC, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Manbah Gas station and others are sited in my community.
It is located at a latitude of 5.5921° and longitude of -0.2681° and at an elevation of 45m.
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FIG 4. 1: Satellite View of Kwashieman Community.
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FIG 4. 2: Pictorial View of Kwashieman Community.
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Energy inefficiency is a global challenge that have tasked engineers to find solutions to.
Unfortunately, this is problem is in found in numerous ways in my community. It has caused a
lot of funds to be spent in situation like repairing cars, power grids Examples can be seen in
homes such as HVAC systems, kitchens where more 50% of energy is loss when using LPG in
cooking and etcetera.
Now the problem with the traffic lights and street lights is that it consumes lots of power.
Firstly, the Kwashieman traffic light regulates traffic in and out of the community. For the last
past 2 years, it has not been functioning well. It is connected to the main power grid, and it not
useful when there is power-out. This causes serious traffic jams and increases the risks of
accidents, especially at night. This issue remains persistent therefore causing delay in the
supply of construction trucks, commuting people, ambulances and etcetera.
Furthermore, the public lighting fixtures are also noted to consume a lot of power from the
main power grid. This is the as a result of using sodium lamps for street lightening, it can be
noted from its golden-yellow light it emits. These street lightings often require regular
maintenance, but disappointingly they don’t receive as needed. This leads to pockets of
darkness which also breeds insecurity in the community. Moreover, there also street lights are
never off, these infrastructures are powered on during the day when it is not much needed
which draw more power from the main grid system, impose financial burden on the people as
well as cause massive energy loss.
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FIG 5. 1: A View Of A Street At Kwashieman (without a functioning street light)
FIG 5. 2”: A View Of a Street at Kwashieman.
(with functioning street lights)
14
FIG 5. 3: The Kwashieman Traffic-light.
(During power-out)
15
FIG 5. 4: The Kwashieman Traffic-light.
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Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and
movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics
principles with materials science, to design, analyse, manufacture, and maintain mechanical
systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering branches.
Mechanical engineering requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics,
thermodynamics, materials science, design, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to
these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD),
computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and product life-
cycle management to design and analyse manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and
machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, motor vehicles, aircraft, water-craft,
robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others.
1. Thermodynamics
The conversion of energy and heat is a crucial aspect of mechanical engineering, which
requires close consideration of thermodynamics. Within this field, engineers bear the
responsibility for devising an array of systems including HVAC units, engines, and
refrigeration set-ups. This is because their chief priority does not simply lie in providing
effective solutions but also in ensuring that sustainability is championed through friendliness.
This is also coupled with optimal usage of energy resources while being mindful of
environmental implications.
2. Nanotechnology
The realm of mechanical engineering has a new emerging field called nanotechnology which is
an engaging and future-oriented area that emphasizes the manipulation of substances at either a
molecular or atomic level. Within this field lies the responsibility for engineers to design
materials and devices with applications ranging from electronic components to medical
purposes.
Due to its minute scale, conventional engineering techniques may prove unsuitable in certain
cases making it challenging. Therefore, creating innovative solutions on a nano-scale demands
both imaginative thinking as well as deep knowledge in physics/chemistry disciplines too.
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2. Robotics
Mechanical engineering’s subdivision, robotics, is swiftly growing and transforming our
technology engagement. It comprises skilled engineers who create robots specialized in
industrial or medical roles that operate much like humans would under challenging conditions:
efficiently and flawlessly. The objective of these experts is to design mechanically sound
frameworks for the machines. Ensuring successful execution without setbacks often associated
with human limitations such as inconsistency.
3. Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing engineering focuses on enhancing and overseeing manufacturing processes. It
encompasses an array of techniques that include traditional methods and even 3D printing
technology. Experts in this field are committed to maximizing efficiency, and minimizing costs
while ensuring top-notch product quality. They also lead efforts aimed at discovering
revolutionary methodologies that help address the demands across multiple industries.
4. Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering is where mechanical principles meets the human body. Engineers in
this field work on developing medical devices, prosthetics, artificial organs, and diagnostic
equipment. The complexity of the human body presents unique challenges, requiring solutions
that are not only effective but also safe and compatible with biological systems. This branch
demands a deep understanding of both engineering principles and biological sciences, aiming to
enhance the quality of healthcare and patient outcomes.
5. Mechatronics
Mechatronics is a recent addition to the mechanical engineering branch and refers to a
combination of mechanical, computer and electronics engineering. Hence it can be said to be a
hybrid branch which cover several fields at the same time.
It must also be noted at this stage that although several branches have been listed above, they
are not a stand-alone discipline in their own right. Technology has become so interwoven and
complicated today that most of these branches are a mixture of not only other branches of
mechanical engineering but also other disciplines of engineering as well, such as electronics
and computers.
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6. Energy engineering.
7. Automotive engineering
8. Aerospace engineering.
9. Environmental engineering.
LED street lights can be used to replace the old mercury-vapour solar lamps in my community as
these lights are known for their energy efficiency, long lifespan and instant start. They consume
less electricity, require minimal ,maintenance and offer options for dimming and smart
integration. LED street lights is a preferred choice for illuminating streets due to to their cost-
effectiveness and environmental benefits.
Installing solar panels on the Kwashieman traffic lights and on street lights is sure to reduce
energy loss. The following are benefits of using solar energy:
Conserves of energy
A conventional source of energy
Less dependence on the national grid
Safe and green energy
Sustainable light source
Materials
Solar panels: this is used for absorbing solar energy.
Battery: this is used to store energy from the solar panel. Also serves as back-up during power-
out.
Inverter: this is used to convert direct current from the solar panel to Alternating current. This is
used on the traffic. The LED street light so not necessarily need this because LED uses direct
current
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Smart lightening sensor: this component is to regulate the intensity of light from the street lights
to prevent energy loss when they are not needed. For example, this sensor can automatically turn
off these street light during the day, when they are not useful.
20
Energy Inefficiency was the highlighted problem. From further investigations, it led down to
inefficient street lights and traffic light operating poorly due to frequent power outages.
Results from the analysis made on the street light were;
The lights were left-on when not needed
The bulb used in the lamps were consuming more power where they could have been
replaced with a more efficient one.
The street lights were poorly maintained which caused them to consume from poor.
Also some where not functional at not.
Suggested solutions were to use smart lighting sensors and to integrate the street lights with
solar panels. These were to control the operating hours of the street lamps and the quantity of
power it consumes respectively. Also LEDs was proposed to replace the sodium lamps used in
the street lights because LEDs were more efficient in terms of power consumption and
maintenance.
The topic also covered the functionality of the Kwashieman traffic light. This was due to it
being affected by the power outage in my community therefore rendering it less useful.
Proposed solution was to install solar panels on it to support the main supply in case of power-
cut.
The angle of the solar panels should be placed in angle that receives maximum amount of
sunlight to ensure its efficiency.
The solar panels should be installed properly to prevent it from being affected by bad
weather conditions.
The electrical components of the street lamps and that of the solar panels show be protected
properly to prevent electrical faults or vandalism.
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Michigan State University. (n.d.). Energy: Background. globalEDGE.Retrieved December 7,
2024,from https://globaledge.msu.edu/industries/energy/background
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 22). Kwashieman. In Wikipedia, The Free
Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwashieman
Ghana Place Names. (2021, August 06). Kwashieman. Google Sites. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/view/ghanaplacenames-greater-accra/ablekuma-north/kwashieman
Wikipedia contributors. (2018,December 28). Mechanical engineering. In Wikipedia, The Free
Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 7, 2024,from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_engineering
Learn Mechanical. (n.d.). Top branches of mechanical engineering. Learn Mechanical.Retrieved
December 7, 2024,from https://learnmech.com/top-branches-of-mechanical
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from https://earth.google.com/web/search/kwashieman/@5.59502475,-
0.27072505,23.36572693a,1882.18574545d,35y,0h,0t,0r/data=CngaShJECiQweGZkZjk4NTFk
NTRiOWI4NToweDUzODkzNDcxZTNmNGU0MjAZpdzYRwJgFkAhp60RwTg40b8qCmt3Y
XNoaWVtYW4YAiABIiYKJAn-
5eN_09wuQBFeshz1QYiPvxk7gZv5qgUzQCEgwCKhP_MvwEICCAE6AwoBMEICCABKDQ
j___________8BEAA
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KWASHIEMAN COMMUNITY SURVEY
TO GATHER INFORMATIO ABOUT CHALLENGES THE COMMUNITY IS FACING
* Indicates required question
1. How old are you?
2. Do you live in this community?
3. How long have you been living in this community?
4. How much would you rate the efficiency of the lighting infrastructures?
5. Do you experience power outages in this community?
6. Do you think the current power outage situation affects the operation of the lighting
infrastructures?
7. Would you prefer solar or wind energy over the current power grid supply?
8. Do you experience water shortages in the community?
9. if yes, how often?
10. Does the power outage affect your everyday activities in the community?
11. Regrading street lights, are they serving their purpose effectively in the community?
THANK YOU FOR TIME!
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