COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, KWAME NKRUMAH
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(KNUST), KUMASI, GHANA
THE ENERGY CENTRE, KNUST
WEBSITE & DATABASE
Proposal
May 2008
TEC-KNUST WEBSITE AND DATABASE
DESCRIPTION
The Energy Centre, KNUST Website seeks to
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To promote the Centre and its activities and present it as a globally-recognized information centre for
energy in Africa.
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To provide electronic medium for on-line collaborations and consultations between energy
professionals in Ghana and those in Diaspora
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Make resources available to stakeholders irrespective of their location around the world to provide
better access to relevant and current information and learning materials.
CONCEPT
The idea for the TEC-KNUST website and database is to have a dynamic database driven website
using state of the art techniques for design and development.
FEATURES
The features of the website include:
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Web Group-This would be a user restricted area for The Energy Centre fellows and associates, staff,
and approved persons.
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Digital Library- Shelves for various topics such as renewable energy technology, energy policy and
management, etc would be stacked with publications from various sources (both local and
international) and made available for downloading. The library would include a database manager and
search engine to handle all documents.
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Forum - The forum would allow focused discussions and conversations on different topics among
users.
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Email services- An email service with announcements and newsletter features will capture names and
email address of users for targeted communication and follow-ups. There will be a newsletter
subscription form on the home page of the website to further encourage visitors to join the TEC
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mailing list. This form will be in addition to the subscriber page mentioned above. This type of
subscription form asking people to simply click on a link has been proven to increase subscriber
signups by up to 400% and over.
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Online workshops (Webinars) and registration system-This feature can be likened to a blend of
chat room and web-conferencing facility for online collaboration services.
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RSS Feeds – for syndication with other related institutions and websites
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Keywords-The website would be optimized for search engine positioning using keywords relevant to
energy matters in Africa.
WEBSITE STRUCTURE
Below is the proposed site map which may change during subsequent development of the website.
PUBLIC ACCESS
HOME
ABOUT US
WORK PROGRAMMES
-Background
-Vision statement
-Objectives
-Operational Strategies
-Institutional Strategy
-Key Results
-Contact Us
SEARCH
WEBLINKS
NEWS
PUBLICATIONS
-Biofuels for Economic
Growth and Poverty
Reduction
-Energy Technology
Development
-Training and
Communications
-Energy Policy and
Climate Change
REGISTRATION
-Books
-Technical Reports
-Journal Articles
-Press Releases
-Presentations
-Others
-The Energy Centre
Business Plan
PRIVATE ACCESS/REGISTERED ACCESS
ENERGY CENTRE
HOME PAGE
E-Library
FORUM/
DISCUSSION
EMAIL
SERVICES
POLLS/
SURVEY
APPROVE /
DELETE MEMBERSHIP
Member
login
E-shelves categories
Approve discussion
Search engine
Aprrove comments
Document summary
download
Upload documents
ADMINISTRATORS-EDITING AND APPROVING THE ABOVE
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DATABASE STRUCTURE
Enhancing the Sharing of Information on the Global World
The Energy Centre, KNUST, as part of its contribution in reversing brain drain into brain gain in Africa shall
develop and manage a comprehensive dynamic database system of its local and Diaspora collaborators in
strengthening KNUST capacities in Renewable Energy Resource research and development through the
development and reinforcement of linkages and networks between faculty members and university students
with the help of grid computing. The development of the database system will improve accessibility to
information, and upgrade the levels of practical and technical knowledge in Renewable Energy Resources
among faculty members, students, the general public, and support staff activities in the execution of their
projects to ensure a sustainable development locally and internationally.
The Database system shall be populated/hosted onto The Energy Centre Website. MySQL program shall be
used to access and manage information which will be featured in the database system. The systems
administrator shall be in charge in managing the database and updating its content periodically using state of
the art database manager. The database shall be linked to other international database systems for easy
accessibility and sharing of information through grid computing.
Access to Database System and Data Collection
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All fellows and associates of The Energy Centre, KNUST will have access to information in the
database after identification and registration into the system and will be able to download data and
information in the system.
The files in the database will be in pdf format to avoid unauthorized intruders changing content and
information of the data.
Members will also have the opportunity to deposit their papers, publications, projects, etc. into a
pigeon-hole section on the webpage. Such papers, projects etc. will then be verified, approved and
certified by the administrator before uploading onto the database for access to other members.
Initially, Institutions abroad, academics and researchers in the Diaspora would be invited via email
and announcements to become members of the TEC-KNUST knowledge network. Similarly local
professionals would be requested to do same. In response to the request emails, individuals would
access the registration page on The Energy Centre website which would initiate their membership.
This would serve as a launch-pad for individuals to collectively create a comprehensive database of
local and Diaspora collaborators on energy. Eventually, online memberships are expected to lead to
a virtual involvement and participation in The Energy Center’s programs and activities irrespective of
the partner’s physical location to contribute to its mission.
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Content of Database
The type and quality of information shared among people in the academia in undertaking research and
demonstration projects, delivering education and training programs play a crucial role in building the human
capital base in the implementation of project works.
The database shall therefore contain research and thesis works of students, both postgraduate including PhD
levels and undergraduate; research reports and project works of TEC-KNUST fellows and associates (both
local and Diaspora collaborators) in the different fields of Renewable Energy including: wind, solar, biomass,
etc.
For a start, the database shall include the following publications in their respective categories:
A. BOOKS
1. Energy Crisis in Ghana -Drought, Technology or Policy? Edited By Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond and Mr.
Francis Kemausuor(to be purchased online)
B. JOURNAL ARTICLES
1. Design of mixed-mode natural convection solar crop dryers: Application of principles and rules of thumb –
Dr. F. K Forson
2. Performance of jatropha oil blends in a diesel engine - Dr. F. K Forson
3. The Global Village Energy Partnership - Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond and Dr Ellen Morris
4. Power sector reform in sub-Saharan Africa- Prof Ogunlade Davidson, Dr Njeri Wamukonya and Prof.
Abeeku Brew-Hammond
5. SOLAR ENERGY RESOURCE ASSESSMENT FOR GHANA, DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING – Dr.
Francis Forson, Mr. Isaac Edwin, Mr. Ken Agbeko, Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond & Prof. F. O. Akuffo
6. WIND ENERGY RESOURCE IN GHANA A TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT, DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING – Dr. Jerome Antonio, Mr. Isaac Edwin, Mr. Francis Akwensivie, Prof. Abeeku BrewHammond & Prof. F. O. Akuffo
C. TECHNICAL REPORTS
1. Background Paper on Biofuels Industry Development in Africa, African Union (AU) – Dr. Lawrence
Darkwah, Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond, Mr. Emmanuel Ramde and Mr. Francis Kemausuor
2. Background Paper on on Renewable Energy Technology, Capacity and R&D in Africa, UNIDO, German
Government, Senegal Government and African Union - Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond, Dr. Lawrence
Darkwah, Mr. Geroge obengand Mr. Francis Kemausuor
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D. PRESENTATIONS
Energy Crisis -KNUST CoE Seminars, August – November 2006, Kumasi
1. Planning for Adequate and Reliable Power Supply-Issues and Challenges- Mr. Theo Sackey
2. THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE SUPPLY OF ENERGY IN GHANA Energy & Private Sector –
Mssrs. Ebow Essandoh & Selom Akaba
3. Energy Crisis in Ghana -Energy Efficiency & Conservation – Dr. Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah
4. Gender Perspectives In Energy- Energy & Gender – Dr (Mrs) Rose Mensah-Kutin
5. Tariffs and the Poor- Mr. Ishmael Edjekumhene
Tech Energy Seminar Series (TESSA), March 2007, Accra
1. ENERGY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES & STRATEGIES-Dr. Rudith King & Dr. Imoro Braimah
2. KNUST and Energy Sector Development- Prof F. W. Y. Momade
3. Power Sector Policy Issues and Priorities in Ghana Today-Prof Abeeku Brew-Hammond
Rural/ Renewable Energy Enterprise Development (REED) - KNUST Seminar Series, October 2007, Kumasi
1. THE AREED EXPERIENCE IN SENEGAL- Ms. Aby DRAME
2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AT KNUST:A GENERAL OVERVIEW- Mr. Ralph Nyadu-Addo
3. Solar home systems: A viable solution for Africa’s rural electrification- Ir. Marcellien BreedveldJoosten
4. Financing Biofuels Development- Dr. Lawrence Agbemabiese
5. REED- Dr. Lawrence Agbemabiese
6. Energy Access Scale up for Sub-Saharan Africa: Action Plan and Instrument- Dr. Koffi Ekouevi
7. The World Bank Africa Region Energy SMEs Program- Dr. Koffi Ekouevi
8. AREED: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES- Prof. Fred O Akuffo
9. Investing in Energy Enterprises: The case of AREED – Mrs. Harriette Amissah-Arthur
10. Turning energy poverty into opportunities- Mr. Vincent Yankey, E+CO
11. The Energy Centre, KNUST:Status Report- Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond
2007 National Energy Symposium, November 2007, Accra
1. Assessment of Large-scale Energy Projects: Case Study of the West African Gas Pipeline and Bui DamMr. Francis Kemausuor
2. The Energy Centre, KNUST- Dr. Moses Mensah
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University of Flensburg Alumni Conference on Renewable Energy, April 2008, Accra
1. Lessons Learnt from the Dissemination of Solar Pv Home Systems in Off-Grid Rural Communities in Ghana Prof. Fred Ohene Akuffo
2. The Energy Centre, KNUST as one of the Core Centres for Energy Development in Ghana and Africa - Prof.
Abeeku Brew-Hammond
Others
3. Energy Partnership and Establishing an Energy Base: Case of The Energy Centre, KNUST - Prof. Abeeku BrewHammond
4. Market Conditions for Renewable Energy versus Fossil Fuels: Some Perspectives from Africa- Prof. Abeeku
Brew-Hammond
WEBSIE AND DATABASE MAINTENANCE
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The site will be easy to edit and update content. The interface for editing content will be like a word
editor and can be done from any computer with internet connection. No software or special training is
required for editing.
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The siteand database would be periodically updated and maintained by the administrator-This could be
any fellow or staff of The Energy Centre, KNUST conversant with Microsoft Office and handy with
information on TEC-KNUST and its activities for the website content.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
This schedule defines the major tasks to be completed during the life of the website and database
development. Individual tasks may be added, deleted or moved as required to meet the demands of the
design. The elapsed times are estimates and may vary depending on workload, changes, customer
submissions, and third-party service providers.
Phase 1 (1 to 10 days)
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Discussion with the KNUST Network Operating Centre(NOC) to acquire and register a domain name
as well as public and private IP(Internet Protocol) addresses for The Energy Centre
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Design of site theme, look and feel, template selection, Fonts etc.
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Development of navigation scheme
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Finalization of site map, site layout, and final preparations for construction
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TEC-KNUST review and approval
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Phase 2 (5 to 25 days)
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Collect content including trial home page content, photographs and literature as well as affiliate link
information for inclusion in web pages, database, etc.
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Incorporation of material into TEC-KNUST website including creating final sitemap, subscription
form, mailing list form, and other pages outlined above
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Optimize all of these pages for search engine positioning
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Test all links, forms and email addresses to make sure that they all work effectively
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Present TEC-KNUST website to staff and fellows for review and approval
Phase 3 (5 to 15 days)
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Transfer and handover of the site administration to staff/person designated by the Acting Director of
The Energy Centre, KNUST.
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Training of staff in database management.
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