FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

This study models and simulates the wave energy potential along Nigeria’s coastline to evaluate its feasibility as a sustainable power source. With the nation facing persistent energy deficits and heavy dependence on fossil fuels, wave energy offers a clean and renewable alternative. Using real world oceanographic data from the Copernicus Marine Service (ERA5 dataset), key wave parameters significant wave height (Hs) and mean wave period (Te) were extracted and processed in MATLAB. A dynamic heaving point absorber Wave Energy Converter (WEC) model was then developed in Simulink to simulate power generation over a one year period (September 2024–September 2025). The simulation results show that a single 5-meter wide point absorber can generate approximately 13.88 MWh annually, with peak outputs during the summer months when wave activity findings confirm that Nigeria’s wave climate, though moderate, is consistent and technically viable for decentralized, off grid energy applications, particularly for coastal communities and small industries. This research provides a quantitative foundation for future investment, policy development, and pilot projects aimed at integrating marine renewable energy into Nigeria’s sustainable energy mix.

In this study, the effect of two food waste materials, cassava peels, and plantain peels as local environmentally-friendly additives, on the pH, mud weight, viscosity and the fluid loss properties of water based mud was evaluated. The water based mud samples were formulated using bentonite, barite, distilled water with cassava peels and plantain peels in varying weight proportions. Mud weight and pH measurements, viscosity and the volume of fluid loss were measured. Experimental results indicated that at same concentration, the cassava peels had higher rheological properties compared with the plantain peels. However, the muds formed from the combination of cassava and plantain peels have better filtration control properties. Although the viscosity of the drilling fluid produced from the plantain peels were lower than that of the cassava peels, the cassava peels shows a lower fluid loss than the plantain peels. Therefore, with proper quality control efforts, they could be used as a drilling mud additive for exploration and
exploitation of oil and gas in Nigeria. It is also hoped that this work will open new market for the use of cassava and plantain waste.