Energy ( Power )

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Renewable Energy

Renewable energy utilization in Bangladesh is not new. People are using renewable energy sources like solar, wind for different purposes from ancient time. Solar energy is utilized for drying cloth, fish, salt etc. In the rivers wind energy is utilized in the sailboats. Most of the fuels the rural people uses, like wood, tree leaves etc. are renewable in nature if used in sustainable manner. But due to excessive use by over populous rural mass, acceptable forestry level has been destroyed and common biomass fuels have become scarce and expensive.

BPDB can take a significant role in promoting electricity generation from the renewable energy sources in Bangladesh, as it is the main authority to generate electricity in the country. There some remote places where grid system of BPDB has not reached yet and the possibility is also bleak. These remote places are ideal for renewable energy utilization and BPDB can take necessary steps for implementing renewable energy projects there.

Sector-wise utilization and activities of BPDB with different renewable energy sources is described below.

Conventional Hydro

It was pointed out in Power System Master Plan (PSMP) 1995 that no hydroelectric development can be considered as a serious candidate for a Power System Master Plan unless it has been studied to at least prefeasibility level. This is because, unlike thermal power plants where the cost range for a certain type of installation is rather narrow, hydroelectric projects are very site specific. A significant portion of the total costs is associated with the civil works which must be designed and costed taking into account the location and foundation conditions of the site. Accordingly, in PSMP 95 it was mentioned that the most that can be said about these candidates is that they are or are not potentially attractive and thus worthy of further studies prior to serious consideration as part of some future PSMP.

Kaptai Dam

Updated Analysis of the above mentioned candidate hydro sites are described below -

Kaptai Extension

Kaptai hydroelectric development currently has an installed capacity of about 230 MW, comprising 2 X 40 MW units and 3 X 50 MW units. In PSMP 85, the extensions considered and their expected annual average energy were -

The average annual energy from Units #6 and #7 of 35 GWh is from spill that would occur when the reservoir is full.

Sangu Project 

This would be a new project with estimated annual energy of about 300 GWh/yr. For an installed capacity of 150 MW, the annual plant factor is 23 % and it is assumed that the plant would operate in a peaking mode.

Matamuhari Project

The Matamuhari hydroelectric development would be a new project of capacity 75 MW and approximate average annual energy 200 GWh/yr. It would operate in a peaking mode similar to the Sangu project. The Matamuhari project information is based on reconnaissance level data.

This is a preliminary analysis. To properly assess these candidates, they should be subjected to a prefeasibility study to provide more accurate cost estimates and project energy yield. Resettlement issue and environmental considerations should be thoroughly investigated like any other hydroelectric project.

Small Hydro

In recent years, several studies have been made by the engineers of BPDB and Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) by the help of foreign experts to find out possibilities for mini or micro hydro power utilization in Bangladesh. In 1984, Six Chinese experts visited Bangladesh and identified twelve potential sites for development of mini hydro power plant. Out of these twelve sites only one site at Mahamaya Chara has been taken up for development of an integrated project for flood control, irrigation and power generation. A working group has been formed by the engineers of BPDB and BWDB to carryout groundwork of the project. Brief description of the proposed site is given below.

Mahamaya Chara

The main objective of the project is to protect the land from flood inundation during monsoon and to supply irrigation water during the dry season to raise more crops and to have better yields. A dam is thus proposed to be constructed on the Mahamaya Chara for the retention of monsoon run-off from a drainage area of about 10.5 Sq. Km and to provide irrigation facilities from the reservoir behind the dam. It is also planned to utilize the reservoir water for the generation of hydroelectricity. A mini hydro power plant will be installed at the foot of the dam. For the generation of electricity, water will be diverted from the reservoir through a conduit and at the end of the conduit a bulb type turbine may be installed for power generation.

Some other potential sites where BPDB can take small hydro projects are - Teesta Barrage, proposed Ganges Barrage, different waterfalls and charas located at Chittagong Hill Tracks and Sylhet region. Small hydro projects will be economically viable if combined with an integrated project of flood control, irrigation, tourism etc.

Solar

Solar energy's unique attributes of needing no fuel, high durability and reliability and being able to operate for prolong periods without maintenance, make it economical for all types of remote applications. These unique attributes also permit solar energy to be used in places where there is no grid system. In view of this, BPDB has plans to implement renewable energy projects of wind, solar and small hydro at remote locations of the country where the electricity grid has not yet reached.

At present BPDB has two major solar photovoltaic installations. These are -

1) Rainfall Measuring Station, Kaptai
2) East-west Interconnector, Aricha

Apart from these, there are some Transmission Towers (e.g. Transmission Tower at Karnaphuli river crossing, Chittagong) where solar photovoltaic is used for lighting purpose.

BPDB is also conducting solar energy feasibility study at Chittagong Hill Tracts region for serious solar energy program.

Solar Energy Project At Chittagong Hill Tracts 

At present there are three districts and 25 Upazila (sub-district) at Chittagong Hill Tracts region. Out of these 25 Upazila, electricity grid has reached at 21 Upazilas and the rest are partly electrified by diesel generators. The demand of electricity at these Upazilas is not much and it is therefore uneconomical to extend electricity grid to these locations. Even there are some hilly places where it is quite difficult to construct distribution network. In this situation, it was decided by BPDB to harness solar energy, which is ideal for remote applications, at these un-electrified locations after carrying out a short feasibility study.

It is hoped that after successful completion of feasibility study, BPDB will design and implement economic solar photovoltaic projects which will usher a new era of development in the distant places of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Wind

Wind Mapping is essential for harnessing wind energy appropriately. At present, BPDB is not monitoring wind velocity anywhere in Bangladesh. A proposal has been received by BPDB from the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES), India for installing a 1.8 MW Demonstration Wind Park in Bangladesh. BPDB has chosen Patenga as the prospective site and has already submitted the Project Concept Paper (PCP) to Planning Ministry.

BPDB can launch Wind Mapping Program at its properties located in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. After logging wind speed for sufficient period of time wind power projects can be taken up by BPDB.

Wind - Solar - Diesel Hybrid

Hybrid systems comprising wind turbines, PV, batteries, and diesel generators have been used successfully to meet direct-current electric loads in remote international telecommunications markets. These systems are now an emerging technology for generating electricity for remote communities.

BPDB has got diesel power stations at different remote places and islands where there is no grid connection. As diesel is imported from the foreign country and its cost is high, generation cost of electricity at these remote locations is very high. Though installation cost of renewable energies, like wind and solar is higher, but the operating cost is almost nil. So Solar-Diesel or Wind-Solar-Diesel hybrid system can be installed at these remote locations after doing the necessary preliminary studies.