PhD defence by Xavier Shioya Musonye

Xavier Shioya Musonye was born on January 8th 1986. He graduated with a BSc degree in Geology from the University of Nairobi, Kenya in 2009. He completed his MSc in Geology (Geothermal Energy) from the University of Iceland, Iceland in 2015. He began his PhD studies in Applied Sciences (Energy Systems Modeling and Sustainability Studies) at Reykjavik University, Iceland in September 2018.

On Tuesday the 17th of May from 13:00-15:00, Xavier Shioya Musonye will defend his PhD thesis in Energy systems modeling and Sustainability Studies in room M103 at Reykjavik University.  

The thesis is titled:
Optimization-based modeling of Kenya’s energy system for pathways towards access to secure, affordable, and sustainable energy services

Supervisor:
Hlynur Stefánsson, Associate Professor, Reykjavík University, Iceland

This research develops a quantitative energy system-planning model for Kenya to evaluate pathways towards access to secure, affordable, and sustainable energy services for the 2020 to 2050 period. First, the study establishes the gaps in the existing national-scale energy modeling systems for the Sub-Saharan African countries. Secondly, the study uses the Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System-VEDA (TIMES-VEDA) energy-modeling framework to develop a national-scale energy system optimization model for Kenya called the Kenya-TIMES. The developed model is used to evaluate the grid-supplied generation-expansion pathways in a secure, affordable and sustainable manner. The results indicate that energy planning using an integrated energy systems model will be vital in achieving high-energy access levels while limiting GHG emissions at national and regional levels in the Sub Saharan Africa region. To meet the projected demand in the short- to medium-term in an affordable, secure, and sustainable way, the Kenyan government should prioritize developing geothermal and hydropower resources. For the long term, the Kenyan government needs to enact and implement policies that will accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies. Implementing a hybrid of renewable energy subsidy and carbon tax policies could provide an effective and efficient low-carbon pathway for Kenya’s power generation expansion. Lastly, refined data and advanced energy planning tools could be more efficient in informing energy planning decisions and guiding Kenya’s and the SSA region’s energy objectives. Overall, this work sets a benchmark for developing a national-scale energy-planning model using advanced energy planning tools, and using it to guide the national energy objectives and decisions that could be adopted by the Sub-Saharan Africa countries.