Kenya's Disruptive Technologies Revolution

The noise about the next big thing can make it difficult to identify which technologies truly matter. I will attempt to sort through the many claims to identify the technologies that have the greatest potential to drive substantial economic impact and disruption before or by 2030(our country’s vision set plan). Important technologies can come in any field or emerge from any scientific discipline, but   initiative by his ministry and hope to see such moves in several other ministries and NGOs as well.Therefore, as a country,we need to focus on technologies that we believe will have significant potential to drive economic impact and disruption by 2030.

they share four characteristics: high rate of technology change, broad potential scope of impact, large economic value that could be affected, and substantial potential for disruptive economic impact. Many technologies have the potential to meet these criteria eventually, but our leaders(CS Mr.Mucheru of ICT) needs to focus on technologies with potential impact that is near enough at hand to be meaningfully anticipated and prepared for. I already love the white-box launch

What Safaricom has done in enhancing mobile Internet, for example, has affected more than 16 million Kenyans going about their lives, giving them tools to become potential innovators or entrepreneurs— making the mobile Internet one our most impactful technologies. I personally an a beneficiary of their noble initiative to nature and grow talent within STEM.My focus for now is profoundly learn the Internet of Things technology which will connect and embed intelligence in billions of objects and devices all around the world not Kenya alone, affecting the health, safety, and productivity of billions of people.I want to be part of the few folks who will go down the history books of STEM in Africa that shaped the path of the four disciplines and made life of the coming generation better from our engineered solutions.

Here is what I sorted out as the buzz in-things for Tech evangelist, engineering gurus and STEM lovers which will definitely shape our country in the next few years and propel the big 4 agenda to realization.

1. Mobile Internet Increasingly inexpensive and capable mobile computing devices and Internet connectivity

2. Automation of knowledge work intelligent software systems that can perform knowledge work tasks involving unstructured commands and subtle judgments

3. The Internet of Things Networks of low-cost sensors and actuators for data collection, monitoring, decision making, and process optimization

4. Cloud technology Use of computer hardware and software resources delivered over a network or the Internet, often as a service

5. Advanced robotics increasingly capable robots with enhanced senses, dexterity, and intelligence used to automate tasks or augment humans

6. Autonomous and near-autonomous vehicles Vehicles that can navigate and operate with reduced or no human intervention

7. Next-generation genomics Fast, low-cost gene sequencing, advanced big data analytics, and synthetic biology (“writing” DNA)

8. Energy storage Devices or systems that store energy for later use, including batteries

9.3D printing Additive manufacturing techniques to create objects by printing layers of material based on digital models

10. Advanced materials Materials designed to have superior characteristics (e.g., strength, weight, conductivity) or functionality

11. Advanced oil and gas exploration and recovery Exploration and recovery techniques that make extraction of unconventional oil and gas economical

12. Renewable energy Generation of electricity from renewable sources with reduced harmful climate impact

The technologies on my list have great potential to improve the lives of billions of people, starting with our 45 million plus population. Cloud computing and the mobile Internet, for example, could raise productivity and quality in education, health care, and public services. At the same time, some of these technologies could bring unwanted side effects. The benefits of the mobile Internet and cloud computing are accompanied by rising risks of security and privacy breaches. Our 12^th parliament ought to sit more frequently and speed up the data protection bill, the computer misuse and cybercrime bill and improve our information and communication act. Objects and machines under the control of computers across the Web (the Internet of Things) can also be hacked, exposing factories, refineries, supply chains, power plants, and transportation networks to new risks

In considering the disruptive potential of these technologies, I foresee that each could drive profound changes across many dimensions—in the lives of Kenyan citizens, in business, and across the global economy. As noted from key speeches from our president Mr.Kenyatta and his deputy Mr.Ruto, the future seems bright for entrepreneurs and innovators. 3D printing, the mobile Internet, cloud technology, and even next-generation genomics could provide the opportunities and the tools to allow small enterprises to compete on a meaningful scale and advance into new markets rapidly.Almost every technology on my list could change the game for businesses, creating entirely new products and services, as well as shifting pools of value between producers or from producers to consumers. Some, like automation of knowledge work and the mobile Internet, could also change how companies and other organizations structure themselves, bringing new meaning to the anytime/ anywhere work style. With automation of knowledge work tasks, organizations that can augment the powers of skilled workers stand to do well.

As these disruptive technologies continue to evolve and play out, it will be up to business leaders, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and citizens to maximize their opportunities while dealing with the challenges.Lets make our mother country great and change the face of Africa!

 Compiled & Authored by: Samwel Kariuki

REMEDIES FOR KENYAN UPCOMING SERIAL ENTERPRENUERS

The modern business environment is now becoming more complex. Just think about the myriad of new ideas, techniques, strategies, methods, and technological innovations to grow your business! Without applying them to your entrepreneurial endeavor, there’s a high probability that you’ll get left behind the competition.

Since technology plays a significant role in entrepreneurship nowadays, entrepreneurs need to pick up tech skills to make their business successful. But what are those tech skills entrepreneurs should acquire? Here’s a list to answer that question.

Cloud Computing

Knowledge about cloud computing is crucial because all the data that you have will be going to end up at The Cloud one way or another. Learning the ways how Dropbox, Salesforce, and Google Drive work is the necessary steps that you should take in this case.

If you know how the cloud works, you’ll now be able to discover new models for your business, enhance the security of your business, work with your colleagues more efficiently, and stay competitive.

Understanding Big Data

When you talk about data, you can’t just leave big data out of the discussion. Big data is one of the main focuses today in social media exchange and digital process. In fact, tech experts say that big data will get even bigger in the mainstream, especially in doing business.

Knowledge in big data will enable you to define consumer preferences more clearly and create more informed entrepreneurial decisions. In other words, utilizing big data is a boon to your business.

If you want to acquire knowledge about how big data works, you can enroll yourself in online courses that will teach you everything about big data from the basics to complex programming.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

It’s rare to find a business today that doesn’t have a website that tells about its brand and to promote its products and services. If you have a business website, mastering search engine optimization or SEO is essential for your site to rank up in Google Search.

Knowing the basics of SEO is crucial to market your brand on the internet. Stay away from the mindset that search engine algorithms are so advanced to enable users to find your business easily online because that’s not the case. You still need to reach out to online users, and that means that you should optimize your site’s SEO to get to them.

Excelling at Microsoft Excel

Entrepreneurs should learn how to use Microsoft Excel because it can be a big help to their business. Many will ask if Microsoft Excel is still relevant today? Well, the answer is yes. Excel is still a valuable tool to organize and manage your business finances, and it now has new features to keep up with the various financial software of today.

For instance, Microsoft Excel allows you to keep track of your business spending, create a solid pitch to investors, and understand your target market.

Being Good at Email Marketing

If you want to find ways to close up a deal for your business, you should try and be good at email marketing. Many entrepreneurs use this form of marketing today because email marketing is also an effective way to reach a broader target audience.

Email marketing also does the work of delivering your brand message more efficiently. Due to this effect, email marketing can drive conversions in the form of leads and sales. Not only that, using email to market your brand is excellent because it’s an open platform that allows you to communicate and engage with your potential customers.

Takeaway

Due to the tough business competition today, it’s a must that you hone your tech skills to keep up with the competition. Technology can be a big help in many aspects of doing business. 
For instance, it can help you with the marketing, improving security, and achieving international standards such as ISO. Sites like 9001simplified.com/will help you how to use technology for that purpose.

INTERNET OF ENERGY IN KENYA

The Internet of Energy

The Internet of Energy (IoE) can be broadly defined as the upgrading and automating of electricity infrastructures, making energy production more clean and efficient, and putting more power in the hands of the consumer.

My blog today will discusses how to apply ML analytics in the utilities industry to create the IoE.I personally choose to see IoE as one system where data in Kenya will be shared and analyzed, producing targeted, efficient results to utilities and consumers across our country.

The first major utility sector is Generation, which relies heavily on the work of turbines. Turbines, whether they be fueled by natural gas,steam, nuclear, or coal, are massive engineering marvels from a mechanical standpoint. There are thousands of moving parts with extreme tolerances, and minute disturbances in the system can lead to major problems, causing downtime, loss of power, safety concerns, and more.

In our country, many grids are plagued with unreliable service. This is primarily because of aging equipment; poor maintenance; and in many cases, the struggle to upgrade power systems to keep up with very high annual demand growth rates. Investment in IoT for both existing and new equipment has the potential to significantly reduce unscheduled downtime by identifying problems before they occur, thereby improving reliability and reducing costs. Other applications of IoT are optimal use of generation assets to increase the efficiency of production. In conventional power plants, IoT would be used to tune the operation of a power plant in real time and to balance production with life cycle cost of maintenance and life of equipment. As an example, GE is about to launch a digital power plant systems for coal plant in Lamu. GE claims its digital technologies when applied to new coal and gas fired power plants will increase fuel efficiency by 3%, power output by 2%, and reduce unplanned downtime by 5%, operation and maintenance costs by 25%, and fuel consumption during starts by 20%.6 In Kenya, these strategies may be used to reduce cost of electricity production and emissions. Another good example of IoT use for optimization of operations is in the wind power industry where (i) wake losses are reduced in a wind farm by adjusting pitch and yaw angles of individual turbines, (ii) turbines production is increased above rated value in a controlled manner as long as the stress and fatigue loading are within acceptable limit, and (iii) settings of individual turbines are optimized to local conditions to increase output. GE claims a 5% to 10% increase in annual energy production with these strategies.7 A futuristic application of IoT is a holistic optimization of the entire power network with the goal of decentralization and defossilization of the power sector. IoT has the potential to achieve such a transformation in which (i) renewable energy is generated close to load centers; (ii) energy storage devices are used to store excess energy and deliver energy during periods of high demand; (iii) demand response is used to balance supply and demand; (iv) flexible centralized fossil fuel-based power plants plan production based on real-time predictions of variable renewable generators; and (v) dispatch logic, and controllers are used to manage the flow of power. Several of these transformations are being tested in a number of pilots in our beloved country with the goal of achieving close to 100% renewable energy in the power sector and IoT will be a key enabler.

Happy Madaraka holidays!

Complied by: Samwel Kariuki

USING AI,IoT FOR KENYA'S ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY

Early this year there was a symposium titled “AI/IoT-realized Super Smart Society and Energy Network” and was sponsored by the International Research Center of Advanced Energy Systems for Sustainability (AES Center), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, the symposium dealt with how artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and other advanced information technologies would transform society and the energy world and what business chances and challenges would emerge, as indicated by the title.

The symposium consisted of three parts – Part 1 “National Strategy and Outlook on Super

Smart Society,” Part 2 “Super Smart Society and Energy Technologies Seen from Academia,” and Part 3 “Panel Discussion – Social Implementation Led by the Private Sector.” 

What is the “super smart society?” This is an interesting question. In Part 1, it was argued that human society historically transitioned from a hunter society to a farmer society, an industrial society and an information society, or from Society 1.0 to Societies 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0, before a new economic society comes as Society 5.0 or super smart society. The new society was explained as a society in which AI, big data, IoT and other advanced technologies would be fully used to achieve both economic development and the resolution of social challenges facing the world. The super smart society was also described as a society in which AI, big data and dramatically advanced information technologies (electronics, communications and data processing) would be fully used to

integrate cyberspace with physical space to produce new values.

An important challenge in energy and environment areas in our country and the whole Continent at large would be to build a low-carbon society and very efficient energy supply systems using renewable energy, storage batteries, hydrogen,advanced next-generation vehicles, distributed energy systems, demand response systems, virtual power plants and other technologies. AI, big data, IoT and other advanced technologies would be fully used to digitize and expand the energy world in the new economic society. As a matter of course, the super smart society and energy’s expected roles in such a society represent long-term strategic challenges, with any specific path to such society remaining uncertain(we have a tendency of assuming things until they turn out to be a necessity in our day to day lives). There may be numerous problems to be resolved for realizing the new society.

Nevertheless, initiatives to overview social transition and transformation from a broader perspective and depict and pursue the future society we should build are very significant and valuable. We will have to closely watch future initiatives to realize the super smart society and energy’s roles in such society. Based on matters of interest to me and my expertise, I strongly believe the Kenyan super smart society would be digitized and electrified, energy security (particularly, power supply security) would be the key to realizing and managing most of the activities. I have noted three points on new risks that we as Kenyan engineers would have to consider in regard to energy and power supply security while digitization and electrification would make irreversible progress.

The first point is the impact that the substantial expansion of renewable energy including intermittent solar photovoltaics and wind power generation would exert on power supply systems.

Storage batteries, grid enhancement measures, auxiliary fossil power generation and other measures are required to cover the intermittency of solar PV and wind power generation. This means additional costs. While solar PV and wind power generation costs are remarkably declining, the additional costs are required for integrating such intermittent renewable energy into power supply systems and may not necessarily be negligible. As intermittent power sources’ share of the power mix expands further, the costs for integrating these sources into power supply systems will grow. Power supply security and the integration costs could be challenges.

The second point is related to cybersecurity since am a member of KCSFA (kenya Cyber Security and Forensic Association) and i follow closely our own internal debates and discussions. As social and economic systems grow more dependent on stable power supply due to further digitization and electrification, they are likely to become more vulnerable to cyber attacks. As cybersecurity problems are growing more complex in our country, diverse and serious, cybersecurity measures must be updated in response to the fast-changing situation. So far, cyber problems have not become as serious as the oil crises that globally shook energy and power supply. As stable power supply becomes the most important challenge in the digitized society, however, we should recognize

cybersecurity problems as a major potential risk. The third point is a stable power supply problem related to investment in deregulated markets.In Kenya, power and gas system reform will need to be implemented to deregulate markets more and more

through the beginning of the 2020s(Lets stop thinking only politics in 2022). In globally known cases, there are many cases where investment costs in power sources has failed to be recovered in deregulated power markets, leading to the so-called “missing money problem”. The classic “missing money problem” has transitioned to a more complex problem as wholesale power market prices have declined due to the large scale inflow of renewable energy power generation promoted by policy support and cost reduction. In response, the introduction of the capacity mechanism is being considered or implemented. In the digitized and electrified society, how to secure investment and stable power supply in liberalized markets with renewable energy expansion trends may be a key challenge.

 

While great expectations are placed on the realization of the super smart society, or Society 5.0(as i would love to call it),there are many challenges to tackle in the energy world in our continent. In the new economic society in which advanced technologies are fully used, energy is likely to take an even more important position instead of staying at its present level of importance. Energy security will thus remain an old and new issue.

 

 

                                                                            Complied and written by : Samwel Kariuki