By Martin Ochieng

The energy space is a unique one by all definitions of the term. This space is one of the very few professional occupations where the professional in question has to sell an element of faith to the client. The profession requires engineers to adequately communicate the potential of their recommendations in a way that bridges the gap between the “absolutely technical” and the “oversimplified.” This is no small fete and as such requires an element of vulnerability on the engineer’s part. I know, sounds a little far-fetched, but let me explain.

The potential client’s perception of what energy engineers do is varied across the board on the get-go and includes a few inaccuracies. Most clients think of us as maintenance personnel. Spoiler alert, we are not. Others think of us as representatives of the regulator. Well, we kind of are, but it’s not that simple. What most perceptions have in common is that we are seen as “magical creatures” who can lower your bills. I’d like to think that is true, but again, it’s not that simple.

The rather obscured reality between who energy engineers are and what society thinks of them draws us closer to why vulnerability is crucial to this field. Whenever an energy engineer submits a report, calculates potential savings, or costs an installation, the engineer puts his or her name on a document containing a promise of savings and trusts that the training and experience gathered over time is enough to predict an eventuality of reduced costs. We open ourselves up to criticism through all we do. This needs a great deal of vulnerability. The right kind that allows us to open up and make promises based on training and trust that the client will follow the steps laid out and achieve the predicted savings.

This assertion is especially true considering the wide variety of professionals energy engineers encounter. These professionals work with Engineers potentially more experienced in their respective fields than they are, accountants with years of expertise under their belts, and executives who have earned their place in the professional world. Each job means these engineers have to relearn multiple disciplines fast to apply their expertise for potential savings. As such, energy engineers have to be willing to make mistakes and learn from professionals in their respective fields. This field is one of the very few where engineers have to be willing to learn from the client’s expertise which requires a lot of humility and vulnerability.

However, the level of trust meted out by clients on energy engineers is astonishing. The experience I have gathered shows that because energy engineers are willing to be vulnerable, most clients attach a level of trust not common to similar fields considering the nature of professional energy management. As such I find vulnerability crucial as it helps energy engineers learn, grow, and be confident enough to provide depictions of what is possible in energy management.

To get more insights into what vulnerability means for professionals in the energy space both work-related and in their personal lives, I asked members of the Eenovators LTD staff to watch a TED talk on The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown. I then asked them to share their thoughts on the topic cutting across the professional space into personal implications. Here are some of their responses.

My biggest take-home from the Brene Brown TED Talk on the Power of Vulnerability has been the 3C’s. There were tons of taking homes and I totally enjoyed every moment of the 20min with each concept speaking to me, but this one spoke to me the loudest. That people who have a strong sense of love and belonging and a sense of worthiness are Whole Hearted people who truly believe that they are worthy of love and belonging. I pondered over that for a moment and got a strong conviction that I want that!

That I want that for myself and my life! That I want to be wholehearted! This new concept/addition to my vocabulary has stuck with me. I have found that this is something I want to aspire to. I want to grab a hold of. I want to be wholehearted, I want for my children to be wholehearted too. I want them to have the 3 C’s – to have the courage to be imperfect, the Compassion to be kind to themselves first then to others and to have real Connection in life as a result of authenticity and living authentic lives. To have comfort in their discomfort. And the way to have them have that is to raise them like that. And for me to raise them like that I need to be like that, because I cannot give what I do not have. And so from now until year-end, I am revising my goals and re-prioritizing to have Whole Heartedness driven by the 3C’s right at the top of my list!

Be myself. I should not try to be like others, copy or imitate others as this will subject me to vulnerability. I have found myself in such a situation before and it didn’t work well. But in our everyday people we try to copy/imitate people whom we think are doing very well, and since we are unique in our own way and can never be like them; we soon get exhausted and frustrated, and vulnerability comes in.

Everyone is vulnerable-It how we treat this vulnerability that will determine if we shall reap positive or negative results. And that’s what makes the difference between those who have a high self-esteem and those who have low self-esteem. I am now working to embrace the positive side of vulnerability

Having watched the video, I learnt connection with other people is very important and that with shame and fear, that we feel sometimes brings about disconnection and that we should be willing to do something regardless of the outcome. As an individual, I have let go of great opportunities because of feeling that “I am not good enough” and from this video henceforth, I learnt that I am enough and I can do anything with just some courage, becoming open-minded and accepting that I am vulnerable just like everyone else.

I first encountered Brene Brown when a friend was talking about her book on shame. I was curious to hear about someone who had broken down the emotion we all try and hide. Her Ted Talk on Vulnerability was profound for me because it gave me the antidote to shame. What stood out for me from the talk was that you cannot numb the negative emotions of shame and fear that come with vulnerability and experience joy, love and belonging. They come as a package. As we all strive to become wholehearted people, we must be willing to be vulnerable, embracing both sides of what it brings.

By Ruth Carol Atieno

The total cost of installing a complete Solar PV system is determined by various factors. In today’s blog post I will take you through these various factors that will determine how much you will spend on an installation.

Your Home’s Energy Use

The electricity demand of your home will determine the size of Solar Pv to be installed. The bigger the demand the bigger the PV system which means you will have to pay more and vise versa.

A house that has appliances such as water heater, stove, air conditioner and heater, washing machine and clothes dryer, gaming systems, computers and home entertainment systems, will have a higher demand of electricity therefore will have to pay more to have a bigger solar PV system that can feed all the needs.

On the other hand, if you are not planing to be completely dependent on Solar PV the grid can be fed into some of the lines that consume more electricity.

Model of Solar Panel

The different models of solar panels are priced differently and therefore this is also a factor that will determine how much the overall cost of installation will be. As of today there are only three types of solar panels, namely:

• Monocrystalline cells solar
• Polycrystalline cells solar
• Thin film solar

Solar Incentives

If you live in a state where there are incentives for residential houses Solar PV installations then you are lucky as this be a positive factor. You will pay less for an installation.

Environmental Conditions

If your locality is mostly cloudy you might need to invest on a larger Solar PV system to avoid shortages in power supply. You may need more solar panels mounted on the roof. This will also determine the amount of money you spend on a Solar PV installation.

Other Installation Related Costs

To mount solar panels on the roof you will need racks and these will add to the cost of installation. You will also need to pay labor costs to the installer.

For the solar panels to work you will need other accessories such as an inverter and batteries which will again add to the cost of installation. There may also be additional costs for instance transport charges, local permit fees (where applicable), inspection fees and taxes.

Choice of Installer

When it comes to Solar PV systems installations it is very important that you only contract qualified personnel to do the job. Hire someone who knows what they are doing to avoid losses or any unnecessary additional costs on the installation.

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of the factors that will affect how much you spend on a Solar PV system, you are good to go. To know the exact price of an installation, you need to contact a qualified installer for sizing and quotation. Contact Eenovators Limited through info@eenovators.com

Click here for some of many installations done by Eenovators Limited

By Monica Ngage

The current increase in pollution has greatly contributed to climate change, therefore, there’s need to shift to clean and renewable sources of energy. There exists several sources of renewable energy. However, whenever renewable energy is mentioned, we quickly think of solar energy, perhaps due to is popularity among many people. 

There are other renewable energy sources such as biomass energy which is generated from plants e.g. corn & animal waste such as cow dung. It is renewable in that we can grow crops and trees over & over again. 

Biomass energy can be obtained in 3 ways: 

• Burning- burning biomass generates heat which can be used to heat homes or create steam which can then generate electricity  
• Biofuels- crops such as sugarcane can be converted into a biofuel known as ethanol. This can be to used fuel cars. In addition, vegetable oils and animal fats can generate biodiesel which can be used as heating oil and also to power vehicles. 
• Methane gas- rotting biomass generates methane gas which can be used to make natural gas which is a common source of energy. 

Biomass and the Environment

Despite the fact that it is renewable, generation of biomass energy has several negative impacts on the environment. Some of these include: 

• If not checked, can lead to deforestation when trees are cut to generate wood fuel 
• Air pollution from burning releases greenhouse gas such as CO2 into the atmosphere 
• The land cleared for growing corn and sugar cane can reduce habitats and destroy ecosystems 
• Opportunity cost whereby the land used for growing biomass could be used to grow other crops for food 
• Planting of crops and trees require use of fertilizers and other chemicals that can cause water pollution 

In conclusion, although biomass energy is renewable, it could also have adverse effects on the environment and there is need to come with a ways to strike a balance between the two. 

By Ruth Carol

Water Auditing entails the assessment of the quantities of water used and saved in a given household, factory, commercial building, irrigation process etc. Water use is calculated and eventually measures to save water are identified. Water must be conserved and this can be achieved by conducting a water audit to identify areas of water wastage.

Benefits of Conducting a Water Audit.

Conducting a water audit comes with advantages and I will take you through them.

1. Be Aware of Your Water Usage

The very first benefit of water auditing is that it will help you be aware of your water usage. And through this you will then be able to come up with conservation measures that are best suited for your water usage pattern or process.

2. Preservation of Water Supply

For instances where one water source is shared by many, a water audit process will help in the conservation of the water supplied. The same will also apply when the water source is not shared. Areas of wastage can be easily identified and conservation measures put in place during a water auditing process.

3. Reduced Water Bills

After conducting a water audit and implementation of all the recommended water conservation measures, you only get to pay for what you use. This means reduced monthly water bills since no water will be wasted.

4. Know The Quality of Water

In addition to quantity, the quality of water used can also be identified during a water auditing process. This is a health related matter and therefore it is very important to understand the quality of water used in different process, for instance in a food processing plant or even at home.

5. Development of Water Storage Structures

Through water auditing a state is able to understand the water cycle and therefore can easily come up with the appropriate water storage structures such as dams, bunds, lakes etc.

6. Identify Critical Areas

Areas that need immediate attention can be easily identified and attended to only when a water auditing is conducted.

7. Compliance

In some states it is mandatory to conduct water auditing. Conducting water auditing helps you adhere to the rules and regulations therefore being compliant.

How To Conduct A Water Audit

To conduct a successful water audit you will need to contract a qualified and certified water auditor. The good news is that Eenovators Limited is certified to conduct water audits. Drop an email on info@eenovators.com for any further questions and discussions.

Conclusion

Conducting a water audit and then implementing the simple conservation measures can allow you save up to 40% of water. It is time to conserve our natural resources.

Contact Eenovators Limited today and they will walk with you every step of the way towards the water conservation direction.

Also read: Water Conservation Measures

By Karen Thuranira

At every onset of a new year, most people set resolutions, and energy professionals are not an exception. For many, these goals involve improving their personal lives and are mostly centered on improving their health and wealth.  But, have you ever considered how much time you spend on your career? Do you set resolutions relating to your workplace?

For most energy professionals, engaging in growth and development activities is critical to ensuring that they remain competent and grow their careers in the energy industry. Bodies like the Engineers Board of Kenya(EBK), Association of Energy Engineers(AEE) and many others, would require that one earns a certain number of CPD points for their license to be renewed.

Despite these bodies that make it mandatory for professionals to constantly grow and develop themselves, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are always growing and getting better in what we do.

2020 has not been a very normal year and most people including professionals in different industries have been negatively affected by the effects of the Coronavirus. People have been working from home, and most activities have been put on pending due to the lockdown and other restrictive government directives.

As we get into the second half of the year and as many countries open up after the lockdown, most professionals are looking for ways to make up for the lost time and ensure that they make the best of the remaining time before the year comes to an end.

If you are looking to grow yourself professionally, engage deeply your work life and impact your place of work positively during this second half of the year, here are a few ideas that could help;

1. Creating a culture of mentorship

In every workplace, there are different professionals, some with a wealth of experience and yet they do not get an opportunity to put all the knowledge they have to work.

Taking a poll around your workplace to see what talents and skills people possess and whether they would be willing to share with others, can help a great deal. You may find people who are experts in different areas like renewable energy, clean energy, energy efficiency, and other fields, who would gladly welcome the chance to pass that knowledge on to others. Mentorship can make them feel good and improve productivity and confidence among those learning new skills.

It is always advisable not to limit people to skills directly related to work, either. Someone among the team may be great at playing musical instruments or a certain sport and can teach a few interested people. This could make a difference in somebody’s life.

2. Constantly Checking that everyone stays on track

Most companies create strategic plans which comprise their annual performance goals at the beginning of the year. Due to the effects of the Covid-19,  some companies were not able to revisit these goals during the first half of the year.

As things normalize, it is important to revisit these goals and create a catch-up plan so as not to lose focus. Plan a strategy meeting at least once every month to ensure things remain on track.

It would be wise for team members to schedule a brief weekly meeting or every fortnight to review their progress or they can create a buddy system within their organization where 2 colleagues can constantly follow up with each other’s progress to ensure they remain in line with the set goals.

Should a  team member realize that he/she is not executing tasks that are critical to their career growth, It is advisable to sit down with their supervisor to see if there’s a need to adjust some goals, or deliberate on other solutions.

3. Nurturing the skill of problem – solving

No one likes people who complain and no one wants to be known as a person who complains all the time. You will be more respected and feel more empowered if you can suggest a few ways to solve problems that are frustrating you and your team members.

As a professional and a team member, whenever there is a problem, try approaching your supervisor or manager with the problem and a proposed solution. This makes it easier for all of you and helps make the decision-making process so much easier. You also get to earn yourself respect amongst your peers and feel empowered for being a problem solver.

It is also important for team members to feel that they are a part of the team and that their opinion is needed and appreciated. This helps boost their morale and confidence as well as encouraging a positive attitude towards their work and their superiors.

4. Becoming the brand

Companies invest a lot of resources and time into building a strong brand. Employees need to realize that they represent their company’s brand whenever they are in public.

It is therefore good to be the best version of yourself whenever you are attending a conference, a social event, an association meeting, or even a trade show or a business dinner. Always keep it in mind that you are representing both yourself and your company and you ought to do it in the best way possible.

Do not forget that your presence on social media also speaks volumes about you and the brand you represent. Try sharing your expertise on LinkedIn, speak to business groups about your company’s products and services, and maintain your professional reputation every time you are on social media.

5. Ever heard people say that you should work smarter and not harder?

Most companies have invested in systems that ensure efficiency at work. For instance, we have systems like ASANA that help teams work together on a task and send reminders when a task is due, we have Hootsuite for social media activities, Calendars, and many other systems depending on what the business does.

All these systems are meant to ensure efficiency at the workplace and to help track the set goals properly. It is therefore beneficial to embrace and learn to use them as best as we can because they make our work easier and manageable.

Employees are encouraged to give suggestions or ideas that can help run things smoothly or make things easier for the team.

It is said that no one can go back and make a brand new start but anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.  Let us all put our best foot forward and make the best of this year. Or at least the remaining part of this year.