During his visit to Kenya, Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave his governement’s committment to fund the expansion of the Olkaria Geothermal Station to increase its capacity.
The support comes at a time when Kenya is on its way to achieving a 100 per cent clean energy grid. Germany intends to also tap Hydrogen energy from the Rift Valley in a move that will value add the green project. Kenya can tap its geothermal potential thus:
Power Generation: Geothermal energy can also be used to generate electricity to power industrial operations. Electricity produced from geothermal energy can be used for lighting, powering machines, and other industrial needs.
Hydrogen: This can be produced through a process called water splitting, or electrolysis. In this process, electricity is passed through water to separate it into its two constituent elements: hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen gas produced can then be collected and stored for use as fuel.
This offers a carbon-free way of producing hydrogen that can be integrated with geothermal power generation to provide a more reliable source of renewable energy.
Direct Use: Geothermal energy can be used directly for heating and cooling applications in industrial processes. It can be used to heat fluids or spaces, which can then be used for industrial processes.
Industrial Drying: Geothermal energy can be used for industrial drying applications, such as drying food products or industrial materials. This can reduce the need for fossil fuel-based drying methods, which can be expensive and harmful to the environment.
Heating industries: Geothermal energy can be used to provide heat for industrial heating applications. This can reduce the need for fossil fuel-based heating methods and can reduce energy costs.
Agriculture: Geothermal energy can be used for greenhouse heating and cooling, which can improve crop yields and reduce the need for fossil fuel-based heating and cooling methods.
Aquaculture: Geothermal energy can be used for fish farming, which requires warm water temperatures. This can be achieved through geothermal heating and can reduce the need for fossil fuel-based heating methods.
Industrial Processes: Geothermal energy can be used in a variety of industrial processes, such as cement production, paper manufacturing, and food processing.
Mineral Extraction: Geothermal energy can be used to extract minerals from the earth, such as lithium, which is used in batteries for electric vehicles.
Tourism: Geothermal energy can be used to develop tourism activities, such as hot springs, geysers, and other natural attractions. This can help to stimulate economic development in the surrounding areas.
