THIS is in response to a letter, published in a local English daily on July 29th. The proposed idea of having solar or wind power plants of any reasonable size; given Bangladesh's population density, and the lack of sufficient free open lands, is simply not possible. We do not have sufficient un-hampered, free and un-restricted areas where one can install a number of (atleast+200) large directional solar panels or large numbers (+say 200 min.) of wind oriented directional wind turbines, even to generate, say 40 to 50 MW, power for the grid! The realistic option is to have (say 8ft.X10ft. size) solar panels installed on the roofs of high-rise buildings in urban areas and open spaces in the village, to supply power to the buildings and village homes. This can be widely installed, in most urban as well as rural areas; leading to considerable power saving in the national power grid.
Wind turbines, even if installed in small numbers, in rural areas where available, apart from being very capital expensive, need regular lubrication, servicing and maintenance, associated with all rotating equipment. This may not be easily available in rural areas. However, the newly developed portable wind turbines, more like an enclosed large exhaust fan, now coming into use, can be installed in restricted roof areas of high-rises in urban areas; where the facilities and skilled manpower, for normal oiling, greasing and maintenance of the rotating equipment can be available for regular servicing needed.
Given these realities, the idea proposed by the writer for setting up green power plants, is simply not possible! However, it is feasible technically for individual house owners to set such facilities up in urban areas, if backed up with equipment now available in overseas markets. If these are installed on a large scale in urban areas, it can possibly save about 20 percent of power in the national grid; without setting up any green power plant as proposed by the writer. I leave it to the readers in urban areas, to think over the matter, and if possible try to follow it up. We can certainly improve our
desperately needed power shortage if individuals start moving!
Engr.S.A.Mansoor
Dhaka. (email: sam07@dhakacom.com)
Green power for Bangladesh?
FE Team | Published: August 01, 2010 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
Share if you like