Academic Background[edit source]
I have completed my graduation in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from United International University in September 2021 with prestigious CGPA of 3.90 on a scale of 4.00. To advance my knowledge in sustainable power systems, I took Power Systems as my major that offered advance courses like Renewable Energy, Power System Protection, and Transmission and Distribution System. Moreover, I did specialized coursework on Optoelectronics to understand the device-level technology. Also, I worked at UIU as an undergrad teaching assistant from January 2019 to May 2020, and am working as a graduate teaching assistant from October 2021.
Research Interests[edit source]
- Sustainable and green technologies
- Solar PV System
- Optoelectronics
- Agro Photovoltaic Invention
- System and cost optimization
- Energy policymaking
- Energy Storage System
Undergrad Thesis Project[edit source]
"A Comparative Analysis between Energy Storage Based and Conventional Fuel Based Peaking Power Plant in the Context of Bangladesh"
Supervisor: Dr. M. Rezwan Khan | Co-Supervisor:Avijit Saha
Abstract[edit source]
The project is devoted to analyzing the economic feasibility of an Energy Storage System (ESS) for replacing the fuel-based peaking power plant. This research aims to find a less expensive generation scheme to satisfy the power demand during peak hours and reduce the peak hour tariff of consumed energy. An output loss of 3% of GDP is accounted for load shedding and power outage. The investment in the backup generation of about 65% of Bangladeshi firms undermines the competitiveness and strong growth potential. We would consider a battery storage system and pumped hydro reservoir and establish the most economical solution to meet the peak hour demand in the context of Bangladesh.
Methodology[edit source]
- Generation Cost Analysis of Three Different Fuel based Conventional Peaking Power Plant for
- Natural Gas Fired Peaker
- High-Speed Diesel Fired Peaker
- Heavy Fuel Oil Fired Peaker
- Engineering Design Considerations of Battery Energy Storage System(BESS)
- Battery Selection
- Proposed Model for BESS
- Cost Analysis of Per Unit Stored Energy Price
- Proposed Model for Solar-PV Driven Pumped-hydro storage peaking power plant
- Case Study on Bangladesh's Lone Hydroelectric Power Plant
- Engineering Design Requirement for the Model
- Dual Mode Operation of Proposed Solar PV driven Pumped-hydro Storage system
- Designing Solar PV Plant for the System
- Proposed Annual Pumping Schedule for the System
- Cost Analysis and Determine LCOE
- Proposed Cost-effective Dual Mode Operation
- Comparative Cost Analysis of the Proposed Model
Results[edit source]
The peak demand for energy is steadily increasing. Consumers must pay high rates for electricity usage during peak hours due to low plant factors and high administrative costs. One of the sustainable development goals is to ensure affordable access to power. This paper is dedicated to determining the most cost-effective alternative to peaking power plants. Peaking power plants with energy storage play an important role as a solution for peakers. After several literature reviews, we discovered that various energy storage systems had been created in several nations. A battery energy storage system and a pumped hydro energy storage system were two of the projects we worked on. Solar energy will be used to power the pumped-back system. We keep a provision in our pumped hydro scheme that it will work in dual mode. The BESS system could not be a less expensive choice at this time because of the high cost of the battery. However, thanks to breakthroughs in battery technology, we can anticipate a dramatic reduction in the price of Li-ion batteries shortly. Our research indicates that the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Plant, the sole one in the state, will be an excellent choice for the pumped hydro storage plan. According to our calculations, Bangladesh's power industry may save BDT 52.89 Million or USD 574,352.52 per year, or 23% of the total cost of supplying energy from HFO-fired peaking power plants.
Conference and Publication[edit source]
The outstanding results obtained from the undergrad thesis project led us to present the research at the TU Berlin-hosted MES 2021 international conference. And our journal is accepted to be published in Springer Nature.
Title: Policy Options while Increasing Share of Renewable Energy: Technology Choices for Peaking Power in the Context of Bangladesh
Abstract[edit source]
In Bangladesh, the peaking power plants that serve the peak time loads use conventional fossil fuels for power generation. These power stations remain idle for a good part of their operating life and therefore result in a high overhead cost. Continuous integration of renewables into the grid is increasing the dependency on these; so far, the feasibility of no other less-expensive options has been studied. This paper aims to analyze the financial feasibility of different alternative options in this context. Three options were explored, and the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was compared with conventional peaking power plants. It was found that a Battery-based storage system is not financially feasible at this moment. At the same time, the the the nation’s lone hydropower plant promises financial feasibility if solar PV driven pumped hydro storage is implemented. We also report that if the government continues to add solar PV power stations even with costly peaking power plants using traditional fuels, this hybrid option was counter-intuitively found to be financially feasible.
Methodology[edit source]
According to the report “Renewable Energy Capacity Statistics 2021” by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global renewable energy generation capacity is around 2,799,094 MW. Asia accounts for approximately 46% of total installed capacity. Bangladesh mostly uses hydropower (230 MWp), solar PV (136.44 MWp is connected to the national grid while another 565.16 MWp capacity is in the pipeline), and few wind energy-based projects with a total capacity of 74.9 MWp. This study has been performed to suggest feasible alternatives to fossil fuel-based peaking power plants that are expensive and pose deleterious impacts on the environment. To satisfy the objectives of the study, the following tasks have been accomplished:
- Analyze the fuel type and LCOE of existing peaking power plants in Bangladesh
- Propose the system layout for three different alternative options to meet the peak loads
- Evaluate the LCOE of the proposed systems
- Compare the LCOE of the proposed systems with that of existing peaking power plants.
- Suggest the feasible options so that policymakers can take immediate actions
Conclusion[edit source]
The option of pumped hydro is very limited in Bangladesh as we have only one hydro project. So, it cannot be a general solution for peaking power plants. However, solar PV-HFO hybrid plants also offer financial feasibility. This appears to be a promising way to go since, unlike solar PV-hydro storage hybrid plants, it is not constrained by the natural environment. Our analysis considered the possibility of using solar PV for power generation during the day hours and set up additional HFO plants to cater to the additional peak load resulting from the unavailability of solar PV power in the evening. It has been shown that the fuel cost saving during the daytime is enough to economically run solar PV-HFO hybrid plants with a generation cost lower than a purely HFO-based power plant. This ensures increased renewable energy share without increasing the cost of energy production. According to our research, we can annually save at least USD 617,309.55 and equivalent carbon credit of USD 70.15 million.
Future Research Goal[edit source]
"I think it's important to leave a future for our children that we are proud of. So, if we could transition to solar energy in future, we can provide actual future for not just my children and your children, but our grandchildren and their children."- Prof. Joshua Pearce As an engineer, I have the vision to bring sustainable development to society so that future generations do not face the horrifying environmental consequences we are experiencing right now. As a prospective graduate student, I aims to continue my research on the performance of bi-facial solar PV in agro-photovoltaic systems. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) focuses on renewable energy sources to meet the increasing energy demand by proposing a National Solar Energy Roadmap with a target of constructing 40 GW of solar systems by 2041. Researches show that solar energy is the only feasible energy resource that can be utilized to meet the country's demand. However, the economy of my native land mostly depends on agriculture, and solar plants need massive land acquisition. Therefore, agro-photovoltaic systems using bifacial solar panels require extensive focus. The book "To Catch the Sun", authored by Prof. Joshua M. Pearce, has broadened the knowledge of energy policy, cost and system optimization, and possible technologies of thin-film solar technologies. Also, recent news on the result of Prof. Joshua M. Pearce's recent research showed a tremendous result that bifacial solar modules instead of monofacial, snow losses could be cut from double digits to just 2% on an annual basis. Hence, this news has intensified my desire to explore more about bifacial solar PV under his supervision.