SU+ Digital Repository

SU+ is an online repository for the preservation and promotion of assorted digital content at Strathmore University

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Conferences / Workshops / Seminars + 474
Documents and Proceedings of Conferences, Seminars, Workshops (and more) held at Strathmore University
Digital Archives 178
Assorted collections of resources covering various subject themes contributed by Faculty and Library Staff
Reports / Policies + 9
Public reports and policy documents
Research / Researchers / Publications 4383
Researcher Profiles / Conference presentations / Published research articles / Faculty and Corporate research outputs
Strathmore Heritage Collection 41
A digital chronicle of the History of the University presented through a mix of pictures, videos and digitized publications

Recent Submissions

Sisters' Blended Value Project Phase II (2022–2024): Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Report
(Strathmore Business School, 2025) Aming’a, M.; Ndunge, A.; Njiraini, N.; Njoroge, A.; Kuria, L.
The SBVP Phase II (2022–2024) delivered measurable impact by equipping 690 Catholic Sisters across Eastern and Central Africa with entrepreneurial, leadership, and financial management skills to transform social ministries into sustainable social enterprises. Collaborative networks reached over 700 Sisters, 43 research outputs were produced, and seed funding supported 61 congregations. Institutional anchors such as the Strathmore Africa Case Centre, Case Book, and Social Entrepreneurship Hub were established. The project was rated satisfactory overall, with highly satisfactory performance in monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Key risks remain around long-term financial resilience of congregations, with recommendations for integrated regional sustainability strategies.
Modelling the degradation of electric vehicle batteries based on initial state of health and charging conditions in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2025) Kimuya, W.
The lifespan of electric vehicle (EV) batteries is a critical determinant of performance, safety, and consumer confidence, particularly in Kenya, where over 80% of EVs are second-hand imports. This study investigated the degradation patterns of lithium - ion EV batteries based on initial State of Health (SoH), charging voltage, charging current, and operational temperature— factors that influence the usable life of imported EVs. An experimental approach was adopted, involving the cycling of 26650.format lithium – ion battery cells under controlled laboratory conditions to simulate real-world usage patterns. The test matrix included batteries with initial SoH levels of 60%, 80%, 90%, and 100%, subjected to charging currents of 0.5C, 1.0C, and 1.5C, voltages of 3.4V, 3.65V, and 4.02V, and ambient temperatures of 15°C, 27°C, and 35°C. Battery capacity fade was monitored over successive charge. discharge cycles, and regression models were developed to quantify degradation trends. The findings indicate that battery degradation is significantly affected by the initial SoH. Batteries starting at 60% and 80% SoH exhibited a slight capacity gain of 0.0029 Ah per cycle, likely due to initial electrochemical stabilization. In contrast, new batteries with 100% SoH showed a consistent degradation rate of 0.0005 Ah per cycle. Charging current had a notable impact: batteries charged at 1.5C degraded at a rate of 0.0008 Ah per cycle—50% faster than those charged at 0.5C, which degraded at 0.0004 Ah per cycle. Charging voltage also played a critical role. Overvoltage conditions at 4.02V resulted in a degradation rate of 0.0008 Ah per cycle, while undervoltage charging at 3.4V preserved battery health but reduced usable capacity by approximately 10%, yielding 2.98 Ah compared to the nominal 3.3 Ah. Temperature effects were equally significant. Low temperatures (15°C) accelerated degradation, with a fade rate of 0.0019 Ah per cycle and corresponding capacity loss, while moderate temperatures between 27°C and 35°C yielded the most stable performance at a degradation rate of 0.0005 Ah per cycle. The study highlights the urgent need for the regulation of public charging infrastructure to mitigate degradation risks. It recommends that national policies incorporate measures to ensure optimal thermal management, standardized charging protocols, and increased consumer awareness to enhance battery lifespan. These insights are crucial for policymakers, regulators, and EV buyers, as they help align Kenya’s e-mobility transition with sustainability goals while minimizing the environmental and economic consequences of premature battery failure.
Analysis of Battery Energy Storage System for power system load factor improvement – a case of Kenya’s power system
(Strathmore University, 2025) Owino, M. O.
The Load Factor is a key measure of an electrical power system’s efficiency. Load Factor is the ratio of average electrical demand over a period to the peak demand in that period. Kenya’s current load factor stands at approximately 73% as of March 2025, but there is room for improvement, mainly by adjusting electricity consumption patterns among domestic electricity consumers. Kenya’s power usage peaks between 6–7 AM and 6–10 PM, with off-peak periods, particularly between 11PM – 4AM, experiencing demand drops of up to 50%. To meet peak demand, significant investments in grid infrastructure are required, yet these assets remain underutilized during off-peak hours, creating economic inefficiencies and increased technical losses. This research explores using Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to bridge the gap between peak and off-peak demand. By charging BESS units during low-demand periods and discharging them during peak hours, the study aimed to homogenise energy usage and create a more balanced consumption pattern. An action research design was employed to simulate the technical and economic viability of BESS. Results showed that through peak shaving, a properly sized BESS unit could reduce peak demand on a pilot distribution feeder from approximately 6000kW to 4000kW, aligning it with its normal average loading. This improved the feeder load factor from 51% to 77%. Although the BESS deployment involved a high initial cost, the return on investment achieved through improved efficiency justified its adoption. The study presents a viable and scalable model to enhance Kenya’s grid load factor, optimize infrastructure use, and reduce reliance on costly thermal power sources, which are mainly dispatched during peak demand periods. Keywords: Load Factor, Electrical Power System Efficiency, Demand, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Peak Shaving, Distribution Feeder, Load Balancing
Techno-economic assessment of polyurethane flexible foam waste-to- energy via incineration: a Kenyan case study
(Strathmore University, 2025) Mzee, F. S.
In response to escalating waste management challenges and growing energy demands, this study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of recovering energy from post-consumer flexible polyurethane (PU) foam waste in Kenya via advanced incineration technologies. Employing empirical data analysis, thermochemical modelling, and economic assessment, the research first estimates Kenya’s annual PU foam waste generation—projected at 18,909.20 tonnes in 2025, with 9,545.60 tonnes deemed collectable—and determines a net calorific value of 23.131 MJ/kg, corresponding to an energy potential of 218.7 million MJ for collectable waste. Comparative analysis demonstrates that a fluidized bed incinerator yields 167.3 million MJ of thermal energy and 13,825.58 MWh of electricity, outperforming a mass burn incinerator’s 13.94 million MJ and 9,294.51 MWh, while Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) calculations indicate marginal cost differences of USD 0.22 /kWh versus USD 0.23 /kWh, respectively. The findings offer critical insights into waste generation patterns, energy recovery efficiencies, and financial viability and support recommendations for refining waste estimation models, conducting experimental energy-content analyses, and establishing pilot-scale facilities to advance sustainable waste-to-energy solutions. Keywords: Post-consumer polyurethane foam waste; Fluidized bed incineration; Mass burn incineration; Energy recovery potential; Levelized Cost of Electricity; Techno-economic assessment
Performance optimization of bifacial solar PV modules under varied albedo conditions
(Strathmore University, 2025) Okoth, R. O.
This study addresses the knowledge gap concerning the performance optimization of bifacial solar photovoltaic (PV) modules under varying albedo conditions in Kenya. Albedo is a key factor influencing energy generation in solar applications. However, the extent of its impact in Kenya, particularly for bifacial modules, remains underexplored. With increasing interest in bifacial technology, understanding its operational efficiency in real-world scenarios is crucial, especially in tropical climates such as Kenya. The study employed an experimental research method involving systematic measurements of albedo, irradiance, and module cell temperature across multiple setups of bifacial PV modules mounted at different heights. The aim was to assess the performance variation under different ground surface reflectivity conditions. Two distinct surface types were evaluated: concrete and grass. For each surface, five experiments were conducted using mounting heights of 0 m, 0.5 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m, and 2.0 m. The results revealed that higher albedo surfaces significantly enhance energy output, with concrete surfaces consistently outperforming grass due to their higher reflectivity. For example, at a mounting height of 2.0 m, concrete surfaces achieved a maximum power output (Pmax) of 432 W compared to 389 W on grass surfaces. Similarly, at ground level, concrete surfaces recorded 332 W, while grass surfaces yielded 325 W. Furthermore, within the same surface type, energy output increased with greater mounting height. A case of this was an energy yield of 332 Watts at ground-level mounting and 389 Watts at 2m mounting height for grass surfaces. Similarly, ground-level mounting registered 325 Watts for concrete surfaces, while 2m height registered 432 Watts. On the same note, the study established that varying mounting height significantly increases rear-side irradiance; thus, the combination of albedo and mounting height can influence the performance of bifacial PV modules. Furthermore, the developed optimization model effectively predicts performance outcomes, highlighting the importance of tailored installation strategies. These findings suggest that optimizing the installation of bifacial solar systems can lead to significant energy efficiency improvements, thereby contributing valuable insights to renewable energy and promoting sustainable energy practices. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that optimizing bifacial solar PV modules under varying albedo conditions significantly improves energy yield, especially with high-albedo surfaces like concrete and optimal mounting configurations. It recommends adopting bifacial modules with reflective surfaces, appropriate tilt angles, and mounting heights for maximum performance. Future research should focus on long-term performance data, advanced simulations, and broader environmental factors to refine predictive models and guide policy development.