The Stratagem Energy Media Training (EMT) held in Lagos on January 17, 2019 at Radisson Blu Ikeja GRA Lagos.

The event, organized by Stratagem Energy Management Company (SEMC), was well attended by senior, mid-level and budding journalists covering the energy sector for some of Nigeria’s leading television, radio, newspapers and online media companies.

These include Channels Television, Silverbird Television, TVC, Business Day, Metro FM, Eko FM, Bounce News, Vanguard Newspapers, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Punch Newspapers, Tribune Newspapers, Lagos Television (LTV), Wazobia TV, MITV, Stears Business, ESI Africa, Diplomatic Watch, This Day Newspapers and many others.

The training, which has been described as the first ever convergence of energy reporters in Nigeria, was designed to boost news reporting on energy related issues in Nigeria.

The speakers focused on how to access difficult information, fact-checking the information and using data to tell stories that will enrich media content and better inform citizens about the energy sector.

The training explored the weakness identified in the coverage of energy management and other energy-related issues.

In his opening address, the President, Association of Energy Engineers Nigeria Chapter, Mr Ayodeji Dada emphasized how important it is for the media to work with the energy sector.

He said that the media plays a key role in influencing development of societies and in propagating a healthy and sustainable energy system in the country through an efficient energy management system.

The event featured training sessions, panel discussions and special presentations on the challenges facing the energy sector, the role and import of the media in alleviating energy challenges, and creating content garnished with adequate knowledge of the energy space.

The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Dr. Joy Ogaji, spoke about the power sector and the role of the GENCOs in the supply chain of power supply.

“To optimize the current generation capacity, there is need for massive investment in transmission and distribution networks in the country. Power Generation Companies (GenCos) have the capacity to increase their output in the near term.

“However, an increase in power generation without a resultant increase in Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) wheeling capacity and improved distribution infrastructures will continue to lead to stranded power generation,” she said.

One of the training sessions that would remain in the minds of the participants for a long time was led by seasoned broadcast journalist and Senior Energy Correspondent at Channels Television, Olu Philips.

He took the young journalists on a ride into his world of energy news reporting, highlighting his success secrets, most productive strategies and of course the many dangers involved.

‘Fact-checking for the 21st Century Multimedia Journalist’ was taught by the Nigeria Editor at Africa Check, David Ajikobi.

Getting the facts right is no longer negotiable in today’s media, and this is not peculiar to the energy bit only but everyone who is in the business of influencing public opinions and discourse.

Other speakers at the event include the President of Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Segun Adaju; and the CEO – Nigeria Climate Innovation Center, Bankole Oloruntoba.

Ayodele Oni, partner at Bloomsfield Law Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group was represented by Mr. Bankole Fasehun.

Journalists at the event were full of gratitude to the management of Stratagem Energy Management Company (SEMC), urging them to provide more platforms like the EMT to enable better relations with big players in the sector.

The company’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Emmanuel Edem, promised that the company would remain consistent in its efforts but called for collaboration from other energy sector players.

Stratagem Energy Management Company is an indigenous company with focused interest in the energy sector of the Nigerian Economy and West Africa at large, with their operational headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria

The company implements Energy Management systems for businesses across all sectors of the economy who want to optimize their energy usage and save energy costs.

Stratagem Energy Management Company (SEMC) is set to hold an Energy Media Training (EMT) to boost the media reporting on energy related issues in Nigeria. Several Journalists will be drawn from top leading media houses in Nigeria and selected to undergo training on energy media reporting in Nigeria.

The training will focus on using data to tell stories that will enrich media contents and inform citizens on the energy sector.

The training which is scheduled to hold on the 17^th of January 2019 at Radisson Blu Ikeja GRA Lagos, will explore the importance of covering the energy sector, the gap identified in the coverage of energy management and other energy-related issues, as well as the use of data and cutting-edge technology to craft and disseminate media messages across all platforms.

The training is part of the company’s effort to support developmental journalism through capacity building as the media plays a key role in influencing development of the society through energy reporting.

Furthermore, as a leading energy management company promoting energy efficiency and energy management in the country, we recently bagged an award at the recent Nigeria Energy Awards in recognition of its achievements in the areas of clean energy, energy efficiency and sustainability in the energy champion category.

The training is in continuation of the series of training program organized by Stratagem, following the first edition of the Fundamentals of Energy Management Training (FEMT) which held in partnership with Energy Training Foundation (ENTF), South Africa on the 19^th– 23^rd of November, 2018; to train individuals and companies on emerging opportunities and solutions to energy challenges the country.

However, this year’s Energy Media Training (EMT) program aims at creating a nationwide network of journalists specialized in energy reporting in a bid to alleviate the low rate of energy journalist and promote an efficient and healthy energy management culture in the country by engaging the fourth estate role of the media practitioners.

Representatives from Stratagem attended as guests for the Nigerian National Energy and Climate Change Summit which took place on 11-12 October 2018 in Abuja. The event was organised by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in conjunction with the International Energy Charter and the European Union.

The event was opened by the Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, followed by an address from the Secretary General, International Energy Charter, Dr Urban Rusnák which highlighted the work of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the country’s work on reforming it’s energy sector, attracting investments and participation in the Energy Investment Risk Assessment Project. The Secretary-General also moderated a panel devoted to the Energy Charter Process, the International Energy Charter, the modernization of the Energy Charter Treaty and its benefits for Nigeria and ECOWAS, the presentations on which were given by the Energy Charter Secretariat officials.

Other speakers and presentations from various Nigerian agencies and associations and representatives of the international community (EU, GIZ, ECOWAS) covered sustainable energy indicators, investment, climate change, assessment of energy policies, plans and targets, and regional perspectives of energy policies in Nigeria.

 

Energy efficiency plays a pivotal role in the mitigation of climate change in any environment. In Nigeria, up to half of the energy currently consumed can be saved in the country if energy is efficiently utilized. The major challenge has been that energy policy in Nigeria has undermined the importance and gains of energy efficiency to the environment and economic growth.

Nigeria is relatively endowed with abundant fossil fuels and other renewable energy sources, the energy situation in the country is yet to be structured and managed in such a way as to ensure sustainable energy development. As a nation that has limited technological capacity but sees industrialization as constituting a crucial leverage and precondition for meaningful development, Nigeria should make effort to manage her scarce energy resources judiciously.

Globally, the relationship between renewable energy and energy efficiency has become more intertwined and symbiotic, with many international organizations accepting how codependent these two concepts are. Energy efficiency means using less energy to provide the same service. For example, a compact fluorescent bulb is more efficient than a traditional incandescent bulb as it uses much less electrical energy to produce the same amount of light. Similarly, an efficient boiler takes less fuel to heat a home to a given temperature than a less efficient model.

Energy efficiency is the judicious utilization of whatever electrical power a system generates. This means using energy saving bulbs to light homes and offices, mindfully turning off appliances when they are not in use and replacing outdated energy sapping devices with their more energy conservative counterparts –Off Grid Nigeria

On the other hand, renewable energy is as yet seen as the debutante to the energy scene, they hold the best potentials for efficiency in generation for by their very definition they draw power from inexhaustible sources without producing any of the harmful after-effects that other power generating sources are encumbered with.

Even though there has been tremendous success and improvement to the generating capabilities of renewable energy technologies, they still operate at less than 40 per cent efficiency. This means that for solar energy, the sun has to keep shining for power to be made and wind has to keep blowing for wind energy to work and even at those times when they are working, the solar and wind machines are not harnessing up to 40 per cent of the output the sun and winds are giving out.

These limitations though have caused renewable energy systems to rely on energy storage components such as batteries, to augment their performance. It has also predicated the need for more efficiency in not just generation, but distribution and use of the said energy, which means energy efficiency.

ENERGY EFFICIENT MEASURES

Below are the following areas where energy efficiency practices can be implemented;

Operations and maintenance

• Conduct a nighttime audit to find out what’s on afterhours that shouldn’t be.
• Improve operations and maintenance practices by regularly checking and maintaining equipment to ensure it’s functioning efficiently.
• Perform monthly maintenance of heating and cooling equipment to guarantee efficient operation throughout the year.
• Review and emphasize the financial and environmental results of a preventative maintenance program for major systems and components.
• Visually inspect insulation on all piping, ducting and equipment for damage (tears, compression, stains, etc.).

Lighting

• Turn off lights when not in use or when natural daylight is sufficient. This can reduce lighting expenses by 10 to 40 percent.
• Maximize daylighting. After all, sunlight is free! Open or close blinds to make the best use of natural daylight and take advantage of natural daylight sources to reduce lighting during daytime hours.
• Use task lighting where feasible.

Office equipment

• Enable the power management function on office computers, which automatically puts monitors to sleep when not in use. To enable this function, visit energystar.gov/powermanagement.
• Activate sleep settings on all printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, and multifunction devises so that they automatically enter a low-powered sleep mode when inactive. Use the owner’s manual to make the setting changes yourself, or ask your service vendor to ensure your machines are configured to take full advantage of these features.

Heating and cooling

• Set back the thermostat in the evenings and other times when the building isn’t occupied.
• Regularly change or clean HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating season. Dirty filters cost more to use, overwork the equipment, and result in lower indoor air quality.
• Adjust thermostats for seasonal changes.
• Use shades and blinds to control direct sun through windows in both dry and wet season to prevent or encourage heat gain.
• Calibrate thermostats to ensure that their ambient temperature readings are correct.
• Make sure that areas in front of vents are clear of furniture and paper. As much as 25 percent more energy is required to distribute air if your vents are blocked.
• Shorten the preventive maintenance intervals for replacing air handler filters. These keep air clean and prevent equipment from working harder to force air through dirty filters.
• Clean the evaporator and condenser coils on heat pumps, air-conditioners, or chillers. Dirty coils inhibit heat transfer; keeping coils clean saves energy.
• Repair leaks and adjust pressure in compressed air systems.
• Repair steam trap leaks; replace malfunctioning steam traps.
• Repair damaged insulation and replace missing insulation with thicknesses calculated for the operating and ambient conditions of the mechanical system.
• Keep exterior doors closed while running your HVAC. It sounds simple, but it will help avoid wasteful loss of heated or cooled air!

Communication and education

• Educate employees and building occupants about how their behaviors affect energy use.  ENERGY STAR has plenty of materials to help in the communications toolkit.
• Ensure that team members from every department are trained in the importance of energy management and basic energy-saving practices. Hold staff meetings on energy use, costs, objectives, and employee responsibilities.
• Reward energy-efficient behaviors and habits to engage employees in helping your organization save energy. For example, you might host a competition and throw an ice cream social for the building or office that achieves the greatest improvement in energy performance.

References

1. Excepts for this content was taken from the 2017 report on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Developing Countries by United Nations Environment Programme. UN Environment promotes environmentally sound practices globally and in its own activities.
2. Off grid Nigeria – Nexus between Energy efficiency and Renewable Energy
3. Energy Star
4. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Measures: Tools for Sustainable Energy Development in Nigeria -OYEDEPO, Sunday Olayinka

 

Companies with energy management programs generally achieve far greater savings than those without, because they review and manage energy use across the whole organization, on an ongoing basis. The savings go straight to your bottom line which can add to your capital for other things like business development etc.

Reduce costs

Most organizations can reduce their energy costs by at least 20%. You can often save 10% on energy costs for little or no up-front cost, while an energy management system can help you  cut costs by up to a third.

Enhance your brand

Running an energy-efficient operation and using renewable energy can improve relationships with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, who may expect their suppliers to prove their environmental credentials.

Increase productivity and competitiveness

Cutting energy waste means you’re doing more with less. Reducing operating costs helps in developing capital for other areas.

Improve staff wellbeing

Evidence shows people who work in energy efficient environments are often more productive, because workspaces are lit appropriately and aren’t too hot or cold.

Flaunt your green credentials

Everyone wants to be recognized and rewarded for the roles they play in environmental sustainability. Therefore, an effective energy management system in your work environment will help you achieve this

Surprise Pack: Get an Energy Audit

The best way to get started saving on electricity and other utilities is to get an energy audit.  A qualified energy professional will examine your business’ needs, industry-related best practices, and available benefits for any potential upgrades.  A customized energy plan will identify cost-saving measures, as well as the best way to go about obtaining any needed facility changes.

In many areas, for commercial use or for all consumers, energy assessments further allow businesses to save on their utilities by selecting their energy providers.

At Stratagem Energy, we work in collaboration with our partners in providing you complete energy management solutions.

Curious as to how you can cut costs on your energy expenses? Contact us today to get a quote.