🔥 EcoSmart Power Jiko: The Brilliant Student Invention That Turns Fire into Power, Clean Air, and Hot Water

In 2013, during the National Stage of the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair (KSEF), two secondary school students—Dominic Mbeva and Simon Musela—captured national attention with an invention that was as brilliant as it was practical: the EcoSmart Power Jiko. In a country where millions rely on basic charcoal or firewood stoves for cooking, these students re‑imagined what a simple jiko could become. Their idea was not just to cook food but to save fuel, reduce indoor air pollution, heat water, and generate electricity, all from the same fire. Using affordable, locally available materials, they built a working prototype that delivered multiple household utilities from a single, familiar source—the cooking stove.

🧠 The Inspiration Behind the Invention

Dominic and Simon were motivated by problems they saw firsthand: smoke‑filled kitchens causing health issues, families spending more on fuel, lack of electricity for lighting and phone charging, and no hot water for basic needs. They asked, “What if we could capture all the energy wasted by a jiko and use it for things people really need?” That question led to one of the most impressive student‑built technologies Kenya had seen in years.

🔧 What Makes the EcoSmart Power Jiko Special?

✅ 1. Wire Gauze Combustion Chamber

A mesh lining boosts airflow, raises combustion temperature, and converts toxic CO to safer CO₂, sharply cutting indoor pollution.

✅ 2. Thermoelectric Generator (TEG)

Mounted on the hottest surfaces, the TEG uses the Seebeck Effect to produce 2.5–4.5 V, enough for phone charging or LED lighting.

✅ 3. Copper Coil Water Heater

A copper coil around the stove captures waste heat; water inside reaches ~60 °C in 20 min without extra fuel.

✅ 4. Roasting and Grilling Chamber

An upper tray uses excess heat to roast maize, potatoes, or meat, saving time and charcoal.

✅ 5. Smoke Filter with Charcoal Layer

Smoke passes through a charcoal bed that absorbs harmful gases and particles, yielding cleaner air.

✅ 6. Ash Collector for Fertilizer

A detachable tray collects ash that can be used as organic fertilizer.

✅ 7. Adjustable Airflow & Foldable Stand

Valves let users tune the flame; a foldable stand makes the stove portable and comfortable indoors or outdoors.

🏆 National Recognition at KSEF 2013

At the 2013 KSEF national finals the EcoSmart Power Jiko won praise for technical ingenuity, real‑world impact, and scalability. Judges highlighted how well it aligned with Kenya’s clean‑energy and climate goals. Dominic and Simon became role models, proving that students can solve serious community problems through science and creativity.

🌍 Ongoing Relevance

A decade later, over 60 % of Kenyan households still rely on solid fuels. Indoor air pollution and limited rural electrification remain challenges. The EcoSmart Jiko exemplifies localized innovation: practical, affordable solutions created by those who understand the needs best.

🚀 Path Forward

With support from technical institutes, county governments, green‑energy NGOs, and youth mentorship programs, projects like this can be refined and distributed widely. Scaling the EcoSmart Jiko could cut fuel costs, improve health, and provide basic electricity and hot water to countless homes.

🙌 Final Thoughts

Dominic Mbeva and Simon Musela didn’t just build a stove—they redefined what a stove can do and ignited a spark of innovation across Kenya. If more young minds receive the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need, Kenya’s next great inventions are already waiting in its classrooms.ABSTRACT

Indoor air pollution, fuel waste, and energy poverty are persistent challenges in many developing regions. This project presents the EcoSmart Power Jiko, a multifunctional cooking stove that maximizes energy use by integrating modern technologies into a traditional cooking system. The jiko features a thermoelectric generator for power, a copper coil for water heating, a wire gauze combustion system for cleaner burning, and a smoke filter to reduce harmful emissions. Designed for affordability and sustainability, the project demonstrates how everyday cooking can be enhanced with clean energy and environmental consciousness. Initial trials confirm improved fuel efficiency, reduced smoke output, and the ability to produce electricity and hot water during normal cooking operations.

CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

In rural and peri-urban regions, traditional cooking practices are common but inefficient. Most households rely on three-stone fires or basic charcoal stoves (jikos), which consume excessive fuel and emit harmful carbon monoxide (CO). In addition, the heat generated from cooking is mostly lost to the environment. At the same time, many of these households lack access to affordable electricity and clean hot water. The EcoSmart Power Jiko addresses these challenges by introducing a next-generation cooking system that integrates modern innovations like thermoelectric power generation, waste-heat water heating, CO-to-CO₂ conversion, and emission filtration—all within a single stove design.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Conventional jikos waste energy, emit toxic fumes, and do not harness excess heat. This leads to:

High fuel costs
Respiratory illnesses due to poor air quality
Missed opportunities to convert heat into useful utilities like electricity and hot water

There is an urgent need for a cooking system that reduces emissions, improves fuel efficiency, and delivers additional benefits using the same energy input.

1.3 STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY

This project introduces an original design that integrates:

Wire gauze combustion to convert harmful CO to safer CO₂
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to convert heat into usable electricity
Copper coil heat exchangers to warm water during cooking
Smoke filters with charcoal layers for cleaner exhaust
Portable folding stand, airflow controls, and ash collectors

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

How can cooking heat be utilized to generate electricity and warm water?
Can indoor air pollution be reduced through improved combustion and smoke filtration?
Is the EcoSmart Power Jiko more fuel-efficient than traditional models?
What is the potential impact of such a system in rural households?

1.5 HYPOTHESIS

If waste heat and harmful emissions from cooking can be effectively captured and converted into useful energy and cleaner air, then the EcoSmart Power Jiko will improve fuel efficiency, reduce indoor pollution, and offer additional utilities like lighting and hot water.

1.6 OBJECTIVES

To design and build a multi-utility jiko that generates electricity and heats water.
To reduce fuel usage and carbon monoxide emissions.
To utilize ash as organic fertilizer and introduce smoke filtration.
To test the stove for practical use and durability in rural conditions.

1.7 RELEVANCE

This project supports climate-smart cooking, renewable energy education, and rural empowerment. It aligns with Kenya’s vision for clean cooking, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and promotes resource efficiency.

1.8 LIMITATIONS

Merits:

Energy-saving and environmentally friendly
Produces electricity and hot water from cooking heat
Promotes sustainability and waste reuse (ash as fertilizer)

Demerits:

TEG output is limited to small devices
Fabrication requires basic technical skill
Initial construction cost is slightly higher than ordinary jikos

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter presents prior research and existing innovations related to clean cooking, thermoelectric stoves, and energy-efficient household systems. It identifies knowledge gaps and shows how the EcoSmart Power Jiko builds upon and extends existing ideas.

2.1 Past Work on Clean Cooking Technologies

Globally, over 3 billion people use inefficient stoves that cause indoor air pollution (WHO, 2021). The negative health impacts include respiratory illnesses and eye irritation, especially in women and children.

Efforts have been made to improve cookstove efficiency. For example:

The Rocket Stove design improves combustion and reduces smoke.
Some research prototypes include thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to power LED lights and charge phones.
Charcoal stoves with secondary air vents have been tested to enhance combustion.

However, most stoves focus on either combustion or efficiency. Very few combine heat recovery, emission control, and multifunctionality in a single design.

2.2 Gaps in Existing Research

Despite progress, key gaps remain:

Limited multifunctionality: Few stoves provide both electricity and hot water from waste heat.
Emission reduction is often not integrated with other utilities.
Lack of portability and user-friendly designs for rural homes.
Absence of integrated filtration systems in most local cookstoves.

2.3 Scientific Principles and Concepts Used

The EcoSmart Power Jiko applies several engineering and scientific concepts:

Wire gauze promotes complete combustion, reducing CO emission.
Combustion Science
Seebeck Effect
- Thermoelectric modules generate electricity by exploiting temperature differences between hot and cold surfaces.
- Heat Transfer (Conduction and Convection)
  - Copper coils efficiently transfer heat to water circulating through them.
Gas Reactions
- Water-gas shift reaction enhances fuel energy:
  C + H₂O (steam) → CO + H₂ (Water gas)
Filtration and Adsorption
- Activated charcoal in the filter absorbs particulate matter and odor-causing gases.

2.4 Importance and Usefulness of this Research

This project contributes to clean energy access by:

Demonstrating how waste heat can be repurposed for domestic use
Promoting affordable renewable energy technologies
Introducing multi-utility solutions to underserved communities
Acting as an educational tool for STEM and climate innovation in schools

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Materials and Tools Used

Charcoal stove frame (metal)
Wire gauze mesh – for CO to CO₂ conversion
Copper coil (1.5–2m) – for water heating
Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) modules
Steam injector pipe – for water-gas reaction
Charcoal filter unit
Plastic water tank (10L) – for heated water
LED bulb or phone – to test power generation
Multimeter – to measure voltage and current
Thermometer – for temperature readings

3.2 Step-by-Step Construction Process

Step 1: Design the Combustion Chamber
A metallic combustion chamber is fitted with a wire gauze lining to promote complete combustion of fuel.

Step 2: Install the Copper Coil Heater
Copper coil is wrapped around the chamber to absorb heat. Water flows through the coil, heating up during cooking.

Step 3: Add Thermoelectric Generator
TEG modules are placed on hot surfaces. One side is exposed to heat; the other side is cooled by a metal fin or water.

Step 4: Attach Roasting Tray & Smoke Filter
Above the chamber, a tray allows roasting of food. Charcoal is packed in a separate smoke exit chamber for filtration.

Step 5: Mount on Foldable Stand
The stove is made portable using adjustable foldable legs for flexibility and ease of use.

3.3 Observations During Use

Voltage Output: 2.5 – 4.5V depending on heat
Water Heating: Raised from 20°C to 60°C in ~15–20 minutes
Smoke: Significantly reduced with charcoal filter
Fuel Use: ~30% less charcoal than ordinary jiko
Roasting Functionality: Successfully roasts maize and meat

3.4 Variables

Independent Variables:

Type and amount of fuel used
Duration of cooking
Position of TEGs and copper coil

Dependent Variables:

Voltage output
Water temperature
Amount of visible smoke

CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Parameter	Traditional Jiko	EcoSmart Jiko	% Improvement
Voltage Generated	None	3.5V avg	100% gain
Water Temperature Rise	No heating	+40°C	Functional
Charcoal Used (g)	500g	350g	30% less used
CO Emissions (est.)	High	Low	~70% lower
Cooking Time (Maize)	25 mins	15 mins	40% faster

Interpretation:

The EcoSmart Jiko offers multi-utility functionality with reduced fuel usage.
It supports better indoor air quality and energy access.
Extra features like hot water and roasting make it more useful than a standard stove.

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

The EcoSmart Power Jiko successfully demonstrates how clean cooking technology can be made more useful, efficient, and eco-friendly. By combining combustion efficiency, power generation, water heating, and emission control, it offers a well-rounded solution for rural and semi-urban homes. The stove promotes environmental sustainability, cost savings, and improved health outcomes.

5.2 Recommendation

Promote use of EcoSmart Jiko in schools and villages for clean cooking awareness.
Train youth and artisans on how to fabricate the system using local materials.
Improve TEG module efficiency and water tank insulation in future versions.
Introduce government or NGO support to subsidize initial production costs.

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