ORCID
0000-0002-0287-7063
Abstract
Over the past two decades, global efforts to mitigate pollution from conventional energy sources have intensified, with coal remaining a major contributor to carbon emissions. While fossil fuels cannot be eliminated from thermal generation in manufacturing industries, particularly in middle‑income countries such as Tanzania, they continue to dominate as the primary energy source. Industries including food and beverage, paper, textile, paints, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals require substantial thermal energy for heating and drying, and typically rely on coal and natural gas.This study introduces a unique application of a parabolic trough solar thermal system with integrated thermal energy storage, specifically tailored to the operational conditions of Tanzanian industries. The System Advisor Model (SAM) was employed to simulate and analyze the performance of this system for Sayona Drinks Limited (SDL). Results show that SDL’s current annual coal‑based thermal energy consumption of approximately 15,315.39 MWh, costing over $389,160, can be significantly reduced.To address seasonal limitations in solar irradiance (October to April), the study further evaluates a hybrid configuration that integrates the parabolic trough system with existing coal infrastructure. The findings demonstrate that this hybrid approach can lower operating costs by more than 70% and reduce carbon emissions from 5,792 tons to 1,287.5 tons — a reduction exceeding 78%.The novelty of this work lies in adapting solar thermal storage technology to Tanzanian industrial conditions and validating its economic and environmental viability through SAM‑based modeling. This provides a replicable pathway for industries in Tanzania to transition toward cleaner, more sustainable thermal energy systems.
Recommended Citation
Kihwele, S., & Bitesigirwe, E. D. (2026). Hybrid Solar - Coal Thermal Energy System for Industrial Process Heat at Sayona Drinks Limited in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET), 45(1), 91-103. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.65085/2619-8789.1281
Publisher Name
University of Dar es Salaam
Included in
Dynamics and Dynamical Systems Commons, Electrical and Electronics Commons, Electronic Devices and Semiconductor Manufacturing Commons, Energy Systems Commons, Numerical Analysis and Computation Commons, Power and Energy Commons