Potential renewable energy sector and progress

A B Siddiuqe :

Renewable is an energy source that can be reused in a short period of time and thus the energy source does not run out. Various natural sources such as: sunlight and heat, wind currents, water currents, bioenergy (biomass), geothermal energy, ocean waves, ocean heat, tides, urban waste, hydrogen fuel cells, etc. are considered renewable energy sources.

Most countries have set targets for the use of renewable energy to meet their electricity needs. Renewable energies are environment friendly and carbon emission free.

The United Nations and global environmental movements continue to promote the use of renewable energy to combat climate change and achieve a sustainable energy system. Most of the world’s fossil fuels are used for power generation, motor vehicles and home heating.

Therefore, various researches are underway internationally to introduce sustainable power systems using renewable energy, sustainable vehicle systems and energy efficient household products rich in green technology.

That source of energy is never exhausted; renewable energy can be used again in a short period of time. Sources of this energy are solar energy, geothermal, wind current, water current, ocean waves, ocean heat, tides, biogas, biofuel, garbage, etc.

We can use these sources to generate electricity easily. Different countries of the world are also producing electricity using renewable energy.

Due to this, the pressure on mineral fuel is decreasing a lot. Note that considerable caution should be exercised in generating electricity from biogas and waste.

The work must be done through an approved scientific process; otherwise methane gas will be generated and the environment will be damaged.

As we know, environmental organizations around the world have been vocal in addressing climate change.
They are moving towards zero carbon emissions to keep the world habitable.

It is recommended to completely stop using fossil fuels or mineral fuels and rely on renewable energy sources. It is good to say that most of the mineral fuels in the world are used in the production of electricity. As a result, carbon emissions are increasing rapidly.

It is seriously affecting the climate. Rapid climate change is occurring. Seasonal variations have occurred. New diseases are emerging. To get rid of these and to reduce global warming, we have to depend on renewable energy.

The good thing is, Bangladesh has already used solar energy on a small scale, although not widely, known as ‘solar plants’. The success in using solar plants has also been widespread.

Solar plants have become very popular in remote areas, hills or pastures. Solar plants have gained immense popularity in India as well. India has the largest number of solar plants in the world. India has been able to generate about 648 MW (may be more or less) of electricity.

China, on the other hand, has shut down hundreds of coal-fired power plants and switched to wind power and many solar power plants. It can be said that the two countries have been able to achieve considerable success in this regard.

Currently, the largest solar plant in the world is located in Morocco. They have managed to install huge solar plants in the heart of the desert. Morocco is planning to export electricity to European countries to meet their own needs.

We can also use other sources of energy like solar plants if we want. We can prioritize airflow over electricity. Some of the developed countries of the world have also continued to produce wind power using wind currents. For example, Australia, Saudi Arabia and India have established wind power plants.

Apart from this, many developed and developing countries around the world have adopted this policy and it is gaining popularity, because, there is no other such pure technology to maintain the balance of the environment.

On the other hand, wind power can be a potential power source for the world. There are many such fields in different countries of the world. As the world’s natural gas and coal reserves run out, countries may become dependent on wind power. As a result, the people of the world will be freed from environmental pollution and will be able to reduce carbon emissions through renewable energy.

Bangladesh also has a potential side in terms of wind power generation. In particular, the length of the coastal area of Bangladesh is about 724 km, where there is constant wind current. According to experts, Bangladesh can produce more than 2000 megawatts of electricity if this flow is utilized.

The important places in Bangladesh are Hatia, Sandwip, Maheshkhali and Katubdia. Apart from this, wind turbines can be set up on Padma-Meghna-Jamuna river.

In that case, the movement of air flow should be monitored first. At least three months of wind speed should be reviewed to decide whether turbine installation is suitable.

The government has long expressed interest in wind power generation. It has already been decided to set up 150 MW wind power plants in Cox’s Bazar, Inani and Chandpur’s Kachua.

Renewable energy can be harnessed not only from wind, but also from ocean waves, ocean heat and tidal energy. Bangladesh has already harnessed the flow of water (Kaptai hydropower).

Biogas is also used. It is also quite popular in Bangladesh. There is also a huge demand for this gas in rural areas. Used for cooking and lighting lamps. In this way, waste can be recycled to produce renewable energy. But care should be taken so that methane gas is not produced, then the opposite will happen again.

Another source of energy is from biofuels. It is discouraged by environmentalists for various reasons. The main reason for this is that biofuels are taking away the food from the mouths of people in poor countries.

We feel that a little explanation is needed to talk about biofuels. The general public does not have much idea about biofuels. Biofuel is a type of environmentally friendly fuel.

Environmentalists once recommended the expansion of biofuels, considering the harmful side of climate change. They subsequently backed away from that suggestion.

Biofuel is a new type of fuel made from the combination of ethanol and diesel, the ingredients of which are rice, pulses, wheat, corn and oilseeds. Biofuel is being prepared by processing these food grains in a special way.

There are both pros and cons. But overall, it is observed that the use of biofuels is bringing more harm than good. It is currently used only in the developed world. On the other hand they are followed by Indonesia and Malaysia. They are producing biofuel from the large amount of palm seeds produced in their country.

Since we don’t have that capacity, in that case we have to prioritize wind power and solar plants, which will reduce the pressure on fuel oil and also reduce the level of load shedding. Apart from saving money, the environment will also be pollution free.

(The writer is a journalist.)