BUET holds seminar on captive power generation for industries in Bangladesh

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) recently organised a seminar titled “Captive Power Generation for Industries in Bangladesh – Overview and Recommendations” at the Council Building of its campus.

The event, hosted by the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), brought together experts, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for improving energy efficiency in the industrial sector through captive power solutions, according to a press release Monday.

Presided over by Professor Dr. Md Ali Ahammad Shoukat Choudhury, Director of IESD, BUET, the seminar featured Mr. Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), as the Chief Guest. Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice Chancellor of BUET, attended as the Special Guest.

The keynote presentation, delivered by Dr. Md. Aman Uddin, Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET, shared insights from a comprehensive study on Captive Power Plants (CPPs) in Bangladesh. The study examined the performance of CPPs across various industrial sectors, highlighting operational inefficiencies, opportunities for waste heat recovery, and challenges in synchronizing CPPs with the national grid. Key findings included the potential to enhance CPP efficiency, reduce economic and environmental costs, and improve national grid power quality to minimize industrial losses. The research projected annual savings of approximately 42.24 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas through the adoption of more efficient generators and heat recovery systems, along with significant reductions in CO2 emissions.

A panel discussion, moderated by Professor Dr. Md. Ziaur Rahman Khan, focused on the role of CPPs in ensuring energy security, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Industry leaders, including Mr. M. Anis Ud Doula, Chairman of ACI Group; Mr. Mosharaf Hossain, Chairman & Managing Director of Mosharaf Group; Mr. Md. Masud Rana, Managing Director of Asia Composite Mills Ltd.; and Mr. Azizur R. Chowdhury, Managing Director of JM Fabrics Ltd., shared their perspectives. Representatives from key industries such as RMG, steel, pharmaceuticals, and cement emphasized the need for an uninterrupted gas and electricity supply to sustain industrial growth. They also stressed the importance of enhancing the national grid’s infrastructure, particularly its distribution system, to improve power quality and achieve better synchronization with CPPs for optimal energy efficiency.

Professor Dr. Md. Ali Ahammad Shoukat Choudhury concluded the seminar by urging collaboration among stakeholders to implement these recommendations, paving the way for sustainable industrial growth in Bangladesh.