EVALUATION OF OPTIMAL POWER SUPPLY OPTION FOR A LARGE- SCALE FLOUR MILLING FACTORY IN NIGERIA

The study aimed to determine the optimal power supply model for large scale flour milling factory in Nigeria among available options such as the grid and on-site power generation, using temporal primary data from an existing standard factory. The aim was achieved using methods comprising: direct observation to identify the existing power supply options for the factory; NEPLAN Power System Analysis software to evaluate load flow parameters and grid kW losses; and adapted mathematical procedure to obtain model values such as the energy per ton of flour produced; annual costs of power plant installation, maintenance, fuel (diesel and gas), and personnel to obtain production cost of electrical energy consumed from a given energy source ( ). The results established that: factory’s mini grid design is standard as load flow was normal and loading of main elements ranged between 35 and 52%; range of monthly electricity used per ton of milled product is (48.8, 96.7) kWh at an average 72.29 kWh/ton; range of monthly electricity supplied to the factory, with the consideration of grid losses is (1.757, 3.192) MWh and at an average of 2.5 MWh. Furthermore, determined average monthly production costs are: ₦101.176 million for gas-based electricity; ₦178.019 million for diesel-based; and ₦141.393 million for township Distribution Company-based supply. Consequently, power supply using gas fuel is the optimal option for a standard flour milling factory in Nigeria.