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Mini-grid for Sustainable Integrated Coastal Development

B. K. Bala
Professor
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. M. Islam
Graduate student
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. A. Sufian
Deputy Manager
Beximco Synthetics Ltd., Kabirpur, Savar, Dhaka-1344, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Power grid cannot reach everywhere. Yet there are alternatives. Renewable energy can offer an ideal source of electricity for the communities far from a grid- on an island, or other isolated situations. Design and economics of a solar- diesel hybrid mini- grid system for 132 families in an isolated island- Sandwip are presented. The electrical load is estimated based on the local needs and the electrical load demand is 20 kWh. The sizing of the hybrid system consists of 31 solar modules, 10 number of 24 V batteries, 2 Inverters having a total capacity of 24 kW, 24 V DC/ 220 V AC. A diesel generator set of 12 kW capacity is selected for back up during shortfall. The life cycle cost (LCC) is estimated and LCC is found to be Tk.15.51 I kWh compared to electricity price of TK 4.00 kWh. Finally, the sustainability of solar- diesel hybrid mini- grid for an isolated island - Sandwip is discussed.

Keywords: Power grid, Isolated island, Sandwip

Location: BAU, Mymensingh

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 30-06-2005

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

(a) Electricity for production purposes which means permanently available AC energy to drive motors, computers and communication devices in workshops, small industries, schools and clinics. (b) Information devices such as TV, radio and video for education purposes. (c) Communication systems such as telephones, but also increasingly- access to the internet for a wide variety of purposes such as trading, education and remote management of devices (such as the power plant itself).

Methodology:

The main requirements for system design are: (i) The site information (environmental data), such as solar intensity, ambient temperature, relative humidity and cloudiness should be collected. (ii) The electrical load information such as the load type and time of use of electrical appliances should be identified. Sandwip- an isolated island Sandwip is a small island in Bangladesh, which is totally disconnected from the main land. This island is situated in a very remote area and lacks both an electricity supply and modem facilities. But, the island has a great potential for developing electricity from solar energy. This case study examines how decentralized, small- scale, community- based electric power can be generated. Sandwip is a deltaic island in the Bay of Bengal region of Bangladesh, adjacent to Chittagong and a mere 15 km from the main land. The population is 330000 and the area is 240 km². The entire Island is a mudflat created from the Ganges. Most of the energy in Sandwip is derived mainly from biomass and oil which are not good options for sustainable development. The household in rural Bangladesh is simple and does not require a large quantities of electrical energy for lighting and electrical appliances. The average daily solar energy input The information on average daily solar energy input is obtained from Bangladesh Meteorological Department's station at Chittagong. From the economic point of view, the photovoltaic system differs from conventional energy system because it has high initial cost and low operational cost. The initial investment costs are the costs of PV modules, the storage batteries, the regulator control, the charge controller, the inverter and all other auxiliary.

Source of Information: JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING, THE INSTITUTIONAL OF ENGINEERS, BANGLADESH, Vol. 32 (A), December 2006, pp. 55-62, ISSN 0379–4318

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Correct sizing is the important part of designing a PV hybrid system and an accurate sizing procedure of the PV hybrid systems for mini- grid is presented. Before installing a solar- diesel hybrid mim- grid in any location, a digital computer model of the system could be extremely useful in examining the optimum size and rating of a generator set; the best operating and control logic; and the likely system performance. The Life Cycle cost (LCC) analysis shows that LCC of PV system is Tk.15.51 / kWh. The LCC analysis shows those villages having low load and situated at large distance (15 km in bay) from existing 11 KV grid- lines, the SPY power is more cost competitive. Although the SPY system is believed to have no pollution, the high-energy use in the production of solar PV system may makes the potential for greenhouse gas emission and other environmental pollution mitigation rather low unless the production process is dominated by comparatively pollution free energy sources. This point requires a detail study. It is clear that human life can be sustained on earth in future only if, within a short period, we are able to replace conventional energy sources with an alternative source of energy. Solar energy in general and solar PV in particular, constitutes such a potential alternative. The goal for the century ahead must be the complete 'substitution of conventional sources of energy by constantly available solar energy - in other words, a complete solar energy supply for humankind.

Knowledge Management: Journal