Expert Harps on Reliable Clean Energy Future in Nigeria

Emma Okonji

Olaoluwa John Adeleke, a Nigerian engineer and researcher has stressed the need for a sustainable and reliable transition to clean energy in Nigeria.

He also emphasized the need to integrate renewable technologies without compromising grid stability.
Adeleke, who is currently conducting research at the Power and Energy Research Laboratory (PERL), University of New Orleans, said his work focused on how renewable energy could coexist effectively with conventional power systems to provide consistent and clean electricity across the nation.

According to him, Nigeria’s dependence on petrol and diesel generators as an alternative to unreliable grid supply highlights the urgency of building systems that combine sustainability with reliability.
He said that achieving reliable clean energy in Nigeria requires a new approach that recognizes the importance of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and advanced grid modeling in preventing power system failures and improving energy efficiency.

Adeleke said his research involves simulating how traditional synchronous generators interact with inverter-based renewable technologies, such as solar and wind power, in order to predict and prevent instabilities that may lead to power outages.

He explained that many clean energy studies often assume ideal conditions that do not reflect the realities of power systems in developing countries like Nigeria, adding that practical models are needed to ensure a smooth energy transition.

He said: “our focus must be on making clean energy reliable, accessible, and sustainable for all Nigerians, especially as the world moves toward a carbon-free future.”

Adeleke began his academic and professional journey with a strong background in electrical machines and protection systems, which form the foundation of power generation, transmission, and safety in electricity networks.

He said his growing interest in renewable technologies, artificial intelligence, and smart grid development emerged from a desire to bridge the gap between traditional power systems and modern, data-driven energy infrastructures.

“This transition reflects my commitment to bridging old and new technologies,” he said. “We must preserve the dependability of existing generators while embracing the intelligence and sustainability of modern grids.”

In a recent publication with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Adeleke presented how AI-enabled Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) could transform Nigeria’s power distribution networks by detecting outages, identifying energy theft, and improving billing accuracy in real time.
He said that for a country where electricity losses cost billions of naira annually, such technologies represent not only technical progress but also an essential step toward restoring consumer confidence and promoting economic growth.

According to him, “artificial intelligence can help utilities detect faults faster, reduce downtime, and improve transparency in power delivery.”

Beyond grid integration, Adeleke’s research also covers renewable fuels, smart city frameworks, and energy storage systems. He has explored biodiesel as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, optimized solar panel performance, and contributed to the advancement of next-generation lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

He noted that these studies reflect a consistent goal of making energy systems cleaner, smarter, and more reliable, while ensuring that technological innovation supports the broader goals of sustainability and national development.

Looking ahead, Adeleke said he envisions African nations leapfrogging traditional infrastructure challenges by embracing cyber-physical energy systems, blockchain-enabled electricity trading, and AI-driven grid reliability solutions that can accelerate development without replicating outdated models.
He said Africa has the potential to move faster than developed nations in adopting modern energy systems because it can build directly on new technologies rather than retrofitting old infrastructure.
“Africa does not need to follow the slow transition of developed economies,” he said. “We can build modern, intelligent, and reliable power systems from the ground up.”

Energy experts have described Adeleke’s work as timely, noting that it aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to achieve energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and promote sustainable economic growth through innovation.

In an era when both developed and developing countries are facing challenges of clean energy integration and energy security, Adeleke’s research represents a significant contribution to global and national efforts toward reliable carbon-free electricity.

He emphasized that reliable power supply remained central to industrial growth, innovation, and economic stability, saying that “without reliable energy, progress is impossible, but with it, we can power the future we desire.”