BUET hosts seminar on captive power generation for industries

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) hosted a seminar, titled ‘Captive Power Generation for Industries in Bangladesh – Overview and Recommendations’, at its campus recently.

Organised by the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), the seminar brought together distinguished experts, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore findings and recommendations on improving energy efficiency in the industrial sector through captive power solutions, according to a press release.

The seminar was presided over by Professor Dr. Md. Ali Ahammad Shoukat Choudhury, Director of IESD, BUET, and featured Mr. Jalal Ahmed, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) chairman, as the chief guest.

Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice Chancellor of BUET, joined the occasion as the special guest.

The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Md. Aman Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET, presented the findings of a comprehensive study on Captive Power Plants (CPPs) in Bangladesh.

The research explored the performance of CPPs across various industrial sectors, highlighting operational inefficiencies, opportunities for waste heat recovery, and challenges in synchronisation with the national grid. The study, which initiated the seminar, identified efficiency improvements of CPPs, economic and environmental benefits resulted by replacing inefficient generators and optimising heat recovery, power quality of national grid impacting industrial loses, and opportunity to synchronise CPPs with the national grid. Study suggests- replacing inefficient generators and using both exhaust and hot water heat recovery systems, could result in significant annual gas savings.

Estimated potential savings of approximately 42.24 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas annually along with ample reduction of CO2, showcasing both economic and environmental benefits.

During the panel discussion, moderated by Professor Dr. Md. Ziaur Rahman Khan, participants highlighted CPPs' role in ensuring energy security, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Prominent business leaders, including Mr. M. Anis Ud Doula- Chairman of ACI Group; Representatives from BTMA, 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., along with representatives from leading industries such as RMG, steel, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cement, shared their insights and concerns during the seminar.

They urged for uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to run the factories more effectively & continue the industrial growth in Bangladesh. They emphasized the pivotal role that captive power plant currently plays in ensuring higher operational efficiency (up to 80 per cent) compared to the national grid. However, they also highlighted to improve the national grid’s infrastructure specially the distribution system to enhance the power quality; eventually which shall help for better synchronisation of grid power and CPP resulting best possible efficiency achievement of energy.