HARNESSING THE GEOTHERMAL PROPERTIES OF IKOGOSI WARM SPRING FOR POWER GENERATION FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

This research explored the thermal property of a warm spring in Nigeria as a potential source of thermal electricity generation. Ikogosi warm spring is located in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The spring consists of cool and warm water flowing at a very close proximity while each maintains its thermal property. For a long time ago, the water from the spring has been used as therapeutic cure of some diseases such as rheumatism and guinea-worm in addition to its tourism while other people used the water as battery electrolyte. This research however harnessed the thermal property of the spring for power generation to show the huge potential it holds in terms of energy generation. The temperature of water samples collected randomly from the spring at different points was measured with thermometer. The thermoelectric voltage was measured with Seebeck thermoelectricity experiment using copper and platinum as conductors. The temperature measurement of the warm spring shows the highest and lowest values of 345.1 and 342.6 K respectively. On the other hand, the temperature of the cool spring varied between 309.8 to 309.9 K along the spring. The minimum and maximum value of the thermoelectric voltage is 1.31 and 1.41 mV respectively. Having identified energy problem as one of the constraints to economic development in Nigeria, then study of this nature will not only save the country from irregular supply of electricity but will also boost the tourism potential of the area while small and medium scale business enterprises of the country will be promoted