Feasibility study on the available renewable sources in the island of Sandwip, Bangladesh for generation of electricity

Sandwip is a self dependent island of Bangladesh, where agricultural products are exported to other parts of the country after local consumption. Because of substantial production of agricultural products and good number of domestic animals available there, the island can set a unique example of harnessing energy from the bio mass sources. As the island is not connected to the national grid and also it has no major power plants in service, so majority of the people have no access to electricity. Presently, a 100 kW solar PV powered mini grid system has been installed under IDCOL finance. However, due to high price of electricity, the number of consumers is small and the plant runs less than 50% of its rated capacity which indirectly increases the per unit energy cost. Solar home systems (SHS) are getting popular there and so far approximately 20,900 SHS units have been installed. The energy cost for the solar home system is also very high which poor households cannot afford. Bio mass sources available in the island may provide electricity to the people at a cheaper rate which may change the overall socio-economic condition of the people living there. Sandwip produces substantial quantity of rice straw, rice husk, coconut and other agro based products which are good bio mass sources. Also good number of households in the island has live stocks which may also be a potential source of energy. This paper focuses on the available renewable sources of the island and the amount of energy that can be harnessed from these sources. Finally, considering all these available sources, a hybrid generating system consisting of solar, bio mass, diesel has been suggested which may reduce the unit electricity price substantially.