We only learn about seasons in geography or movies
SUMMER TIME
By Tecla Wainoe
Can’ t we Enjoy our Summer without high Energy Costs?
It’ s no secret that the atmosphere in Kenya has changed a lot in the last few months. Everything in Kenya is quite heated at the moment. There’ s a strange energy all over the placefrom the politics to the economy and even the weather. Oh Lord, don’ t get me started with that solar! I’ m not going to write about Kenya. No. I love my country but I don’ t think my level of patriotism, if at all what I feel for my motherland can be considered that, has gotten to those heights. I’ m however more intrigued by the E-N-E-R-G-Y- you know the potential, kinetic and solar type. Yes, that energy! Scientifically there are very many forms of energy, from the simplest, potential, to the most destructive, nuclear.
Equator And while many explore the numerous possible ways of transforming energy, sometimes at the expense of poor earthlings’ health, I sit and wonder what happened to exploration of clean energy. I won’ t lie. I love the summer more than winter. Kenya is at the equator and we only learn about these seasons in Geography or for the most of us in movies, but let a girl shine. So yes I love summer. I love the heat during summer. I love the comfort that comes with the infinite dressing and outdoor options on the sunny days.
Rationing The good thing about being at the equator is that it’ s summer time almost all year round which means we have unlimited solar energy. But with all the heat a little breeze comes in handy which by the way is plenty in Kenya too. We are blessed to have just enough wind energy; constructive wind energy. What worries me is the drying up of the dams and the looming power rationing. The cost of fuel has also gone up; driving up the cost of electrical power, yet this is summer time. Can’ t we just enjoy the prolonged summer time without increase in cost of power?
We only learn about seasons in geography or movies
With the valuable resource of solar energy in our country, why are we still discussing half full dams? Why are we still using expensive thermal energy?
Clean Energy There are endless ways of converting solar and wind energy into useful forms. The advantages are countless since it is clean energy. This is just a simple scenario of how much the untapped clean energy can do. If you think of a scenario where we use solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy to produce power instead of hydro-energy we would be in a better place in terms of energy now wouldn’ t we? We wouldn’ t have to worry about the fuel consumption of the new trains right? We wouldn’ t be worried sick about the fluctuating fuel prices. Yeah I know... that’ s just how life is... it presents numerous possibilities that we leave unexploited! For now let us enjoy the holidays while we wait for the‘ improved’ power bills
WATTS UP MAGAZINE APR- MAY 2017 39