Energy Development Research Centre

Our Mandate

Currently the department houses two main sections the Nuclear Energy Applications and the Analytical Services Programme.

The aim of this programme is to demonstrate the peaceful applications of nuclear energy in nuclear analytical techniques and radiation technology in research and development for sustainable socioeconomic development. The Nuclear analytical laboratory was established in 1988. Under the Nuclear Techniques, the laboratory houses two Gamma spectrometers, Radon monitoring equipment and one Alpha spectrometer. It is the centre of excellence in these analytical techniques. The radiation processing is done using multipurpose Gamma Irradiation facilities currently with the use of Cobalt 60 radioisotopes and Caesium 137 first of its kind in Zambia.

Core Capabilities

Radiometric & Nuclear Analysis: Gamma Spectrometry (HpGe), Radon monitoring, Alpha Spectrometry.
Renewable Energy Systems: Solar, Wind, Biodiesel, Biogas research and feasibility.
Energy Storage & Efficiency: Lithium-ion battery analysis, grid storage solutions.
Training & Consultancy: Radiological risk assessment, radiation protection, energy audits.

Radiometric & Nuclear Analytical Techniques

State‑of‑the‑art instrumentation for low‑level radioactivity and environmental monitoring

Gamma Radiation Spectrometer

High Purity Germanium Detector (HpGe) for low‑level radioactivity in environmental samples (water, soils, sediments), foodstuffs, vegetation, and geological ores.

ISO‑compliant | Radionuclide identification

Radon Gas Monitoring

Measurement of radon (Rn‑222) in air using AB‑5, Working Levels Meter & PARC monitors. Essential for underground mines, caves, tunnels and confined spaces – cancer risk mitigation.

Alpha Radiation Spectrometer

Identification and quantification of radionuclides based on alpha particles emitted during decay – ideal for environmental and nuclear forensics.

Analytical & Consultancy Services

Measurement of Radioactivity in environmental samples
Radon gas monitoring in dwellings & underground mines
Heavy metals analysis (water, geological, food) – AAS (Varian AA280FS, Analytik Jena ContrAA800)
Non‑metals: nitrates, sulphates, phosphates, chlorides (UV/Vis Spectrophotometer)
Radiological risk assessment & radiation protection training
Student / intern training in nuclear analytical techniques

Centralized Analytical Laboratory

Fully equipped with Varian (Agilent) AA280FS, Analytik Jena ContrAA800 atomic absorption spectrometers, Shimadzu UV/Vis Spectrophotometer – supporting research on radioactivity, heavy metals, and non‑metals in environmental matrices.

✨ Expertise: Constancy in radiological risk assessment | Export/import certification

Renewable Energy Research

Sustainable, low‑carbon solutions for energy independence

Solar Energy

Photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar irradiance mapping, panel efficiency testing, and large‑scale solar farm feasibility studies.

Wind Energy

Wind resource assessment, turbine performance, integration into mini‑grids for rural electrification.

Biodiesel

Transesterification of vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled cooking oil; fuel quality analysis (ASTM/EN standards).

Energy Storage Systems (ESS)

Technologies to store energy for later use – critical for balancing renewable intermittency. Research focus: Lithium‑ion battery performance, life‑cycle analysis, and reverse engineering of battery packs for second‑life applications.

Current project: Reverse Engineering of Lithium‑ion Battery – enhancing local battery refurbishment capacity.

Ongoing Research Projects

Potential & adoption of biogas usage in homes as alternative energy
Estimation of committed effective dose due Po‑210 & Pb‑210 through freshwater fish/sardines (Kansanshi mines)
Valorization of mine tailings – Kansanshi mine, Solwezi
Assessment of drinking water safety in NORMs areas & baseline for prospective uranium mines
Occupational health & radiological risk assessment (NORM & heavy metals) – Collum Coal Mine, Sinazeze
Capacity building in environmental radioactivity characterization

Strategic Collaborations & Contracts

Partnerships driving nuclear safety, geothermal exploration, and water‑energy nexus

RPA – Baseline assessment study (radioactivity in food) ZMERIP – Radionuclide characterization (Copperbelt towns) IAEA – Capacity building & technical cooperation US Office of Radiological Security (ORS) ZESCO – National Geothermal Project USAID (SUNTA) – Water quality & capacity building

Collaborative agreements extend to mining houses, regulatory bodies, and international nuclear agencies.