State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources
Study needed before going for energy storage system: Experts
Energy experts on Saturday said Bangladesh should go for a comprehensive study first before taking any move to build an energy storage system.
“We need to conduct a study on where and what capacity of an energy storage system we should build. This involves a huge cost,” said Prof Hasib Chowdhury of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
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He was addressing a webinar titled: “Storage Application in Bangladesh Power System” organised by Power and Energy Magazine.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid also spoke on the occasion.
He said Bangladesh needs an energy storage system as both power generation and consumption are growing.
“But an energy storage system has to be cost effective for Bangladesh,” he said adding that such a system will help increase power generation from renewable sources.
He said the use of electric vehicles will be easier if an energy storage system is built in the country.
The seminar was also addressed by energy expert and BUET Prof Nurul Islam, Prof Ziaur Rahman, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) Chairman Mohammad Alauddin, Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain, and GIZ programme coordinator Al Modabbir Bin Anam.
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Dr Ahmed Saber, Vice President of ETAB, a US-based automation and power solution software company, made a presentation on the topic while magazine editor Mollah Amzad conducted the seminar.
Dr Saber said an energy storage system needs to be built through a different way as the battery system is the most suitable and flexible one having up to 90 percent energy efficiency. If a storage system is built in combination with solar, wind and battery ones, then it will work properly, he said.
Through this system, he said, the energy generated from solar and wind could be consumed as per requirement. “But its success depends on its proper modeling.”
Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) executive engineer Adil Chowdhury said a power storage system will be helpful for Bangladesh to address the low-voltage problem in its northern region.
According to him, the captive generation can be replaced with grid power through a storage system.
Mohammad Alauddin said the government is committed to increasing the power generation from renewable energy which is reflected on its 5-year plan.
Al Modabber, an energy expert, said Bangladesh now has over 1 million electric vehicles which could use electricity for recharging through the storage system.
Nasrul Hamid asks GSB to further expand activities
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid asked the officials of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) to further expand the organisation’s activities across the country.
He also directed them to use modern technology and equipment in their research and survey operation.
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He made the call while addressing a reception of the freedom fighters of the GSB and families of the late freedom fighters on the occasion of celebration of Golden Jubilee of the Independence and also commemorating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman held at GSB Headquarters in the city on Thursday.
GSB director general Dr Sher Ali presided over the function.
Nasrul Hamid urged the GSB officials to set up a modern laboratory and training centre.
Also read: Berc asked to regulate LPG price: Nasrul Hamid
“The government will extend full support if you take initiative to set up a modern lab to further facilitate your activities”, he told the function.
The State Minister said the GSB has to contribute to the development of the country by exploring and inventing natural sources.
“The spirit of our great Liberation War should be reflected in every initiative of the GSB”, he said.
Also read: Extraction of local coal for power generation not feasible: Nasrul Hamid
Nasrul urges RMG owners: Go solar for low cost, tax break
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has urged the country’s garment industry owners to set up rooftop solar system under net metering policy to take advantage of green energy.
“If you set up solar power plant for your own consumption using your industry rooftop, it could be a good investment which not only reduces your power bill, but also benefits you to get a credit of green industry”, he told industry owners while addressing a virtual workshop on Tuesday.
Also read: Rooftop solar: Power companies instructed to float net metering promotion plan
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) organized the workshop titled: “Scaling Up Net Metered Rooftop Solar on Knitwear Industry” with its chairman Mohammad Alauddin in the chair.
The workshop was also addressed by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) vice president Mohammad Hatem, Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) chairman Zakia Sultana.
Also read: Rooftop solar power: ‘Net metering can ensure cheaper electricity for garment factories’
The government introduced net metering policy under which a consumer can sell his unconsumed or additional electricity generated from rooftop solar to the national grid.
The State Minister said that use of efficient technology and green energy will help promote sustainable growth the industry.
Also read: Green energy in Bangladesh: Govt moves to save solar mini-grids
“It will help our appeal industries compete to the global market at lower production cost”, he said.
Nasrul Hamid said the government has initiated a move to reach electricity to off-grid areas through solar home system, mini-solar power grid and submarine cables.
Also read: Govt rooftops can generate 2,000 MW of solar power, say experts
He said the government set a target to generate 10 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources.
To achieve this target, he said, the government has taken different steps including a net metering system to promote the use of rooftop solar power.
Tk 9,000cr electricity bills pending since Covid-19 outbreak: Nasrul
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that about Tk 9,000 crore electricity bills have been pending with consumers since the coronavirus outbreak in March last year.
Bangladesh’s power import to go up to 9,000 MW by 2041: State Minister
Bangladesh’s electricity import will go up to 9,000 MW by 2041 as it will meet 15 percent of its demand by cross border power trading as per the power system master plan.
Respond digitally to applications: Nasrul to power utility bodies
Power utility bodies have to respond to consumers’ applications for power connections digitally, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said Sunday.
Rooftop solar: Power companies instructed to float net metering promotion plan
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has directed the top officials of power distribution companies to float a realistic plan to promote net metering for electricity generation through the rooftop solar system.
Will ensure uninterrupted power during irrigation season: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that uninterrupted power supply will be ensured during the upcoming irrigation season.
Ensure uninterrupted power supply in Covid vaccine preservation areas: Nasrul
The Power Division has directed power distribution entities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for Covid-19 vaccine preservation in coordination with local administration and the health department.
Kumargaon substation fire: Investigation fails to say what caused it
A Power Division investigation committee probing the fire that broke out at Kumargaon Grid-substation Station in Sylhet submitted its report on Monday.