IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v145y2018icp338-355.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A thorough investigation on hybrid application of biomass gasifier and PV resources to meet energy needs for a northern rural off-grid region of Bangladesh: A potential solution to replicate in rural off-grid areas or not?

Author

Listed:
  • Islam, Md Shahinur
  • Akhter, Ruma
  • Rahman, Mohammad Ashifur

Abstract

Rural electrification is a critical global challenge specifically in developing countries and Bangladesh is no exception. Most of the people live in the rural areas of the country and having no access to grid electricity hindering the development of these areas and the overall progress of the country's economy severely. In this regard, renewable energy based hybrid mini-grid can be a viable solution to ensure access to electricity for all. This paper presents a case study of supplying electricity through hybrid mini-grid to the rural unelectrified areas of the northern region of Bangladesh, and provides an analysis of its business creation, operation and related challenges. The study involves modelling of three alternative configurations for electricity generation with the different combination of solar energy, biomass generator, diesel generator and battery storage resources. Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) software is used to carry out the techno-economic analysis and identify the optimal off-grid system configuration. The analysis exposed that the per unit cost of electricity from the optimum off-grid supply configuration is much higher than the regulated tariff for grid connected residential consumers and cannot reach grid parity even with the full capital subsidy. However, the cost of off-grid supply is economical than the diesel-only supply option or the cost of owning a solar home system. The analysis further considered different electricity selling tariff to obtain a practical and reasonable payback period to make the proposed hybrid mini-grid system economically worthwhile. From the emission analysis, it is found that the proposed hybrid system would produce 75% lower CO2 than the existing methods of fulfilling energy needs in the study area.

Suggested Citation

  • Islam, Md Shahinur & Akhter, Ruma & Rahman, Mohammad Ashifur, 2018. "A thorough investigation on hybrid application of biomass gasifier and PV resources to meet energy needs for a northern rural off-grid region of Bangladesh: A potential solution to replicate in rural ," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 338-355.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:145:y:2018:i:c:p:338-355
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.12.125
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544217321680
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2017.12.125?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Halder, P.K. & Paul, N. & Beg, M.R.A., 2014. "Assessment of biomass energy resources and related technologies practice in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 444-460.
    2. Huda, A.S.N. & Mekhilef, S. & Ahsan, A., 2014. "Biomass energy in Bangladesh: Current status and prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 504-517.
    3. Nerini, Francesco Fuso & Broad, Oliver & Mentis, Dimitris & Welsch, Manuel & Bazilian, Morgan & Howells, Mark, 2016. "A cost comparison of technology approaches for improving access to electricity services," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 255-265.
    4. Halder, P.K. & Paul, N. & Joardder, M.U.H. & Sarker, M., 2015. "Energy scarcity and potential of renewable energy in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1636-1649.
    5. Mollik, Sazib & Rashid, M.M. & Hasanuzzaman, M. & Karim, M.E. & Hosenuzzaman, M., 2016. "Prospects, progress, policies, and effects of rural electrification in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 553-567.
    6. Urmee, Tania & Harries, David & Schlapfer, August, 2009. "Issues related to rural electrification using renewable energy in developing countries of Asia and Pacific," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 354-357.
    7. Prasertsan, S. & Sajjakulnukit, B., 2006. "Biomass and biogas energy in Thailand: Potential, opportunity and barriers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 599-610.
    8. Alam Hossain Mondal, Md. & Sadrul Islam, A.K.M., 2011. "Potential and viability of grid-connected solar PV system in Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 1869-1874.
    9. Khandker, Shahidur R. & Barnes, Douglas F. & Samad, Hussain A., 2009. "Welfare impacts of rural electrification : a case study from Bangladesh," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4859, The World Bank.
    10. Urmee, Tania & Harries, David, 2011. "Determinants of the success and sustainability of Bangladesh’s SHS program," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 2822-2830.
    11. Rajanna, S. & Saini, R.P., 2016. "Development of optimal integrated renewable energy model with battery storage for a remote Indian area," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 803-817.
    12. Das, Barun K. & Hoque, Najmul & Mandal, Soumya & Pal, Tapas Kumar & Raihan, Md Abu, 2017. "A techno-economic feasibility of a stand-alone hybrid power generation for remote area application in Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 775-788.
    13. Mohammed Ahiduzzaman & Abul K. M. Sadrul Islam, 2009. "Energy Utilization and Environmental Aspects of Rice Processing Industries in Bangladesh," Energies, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-16, March.
    14. Rahman, Syed M. & Ahmad, Mokbul M., 2013. "Solar Home System (SHS) in rural Bangladesh: Ornamentation or fact of development?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 348-354.
    15. Halder, P.K., 2016. "Potential and economic feasibility of solar home systems implementation in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 568-576.
    16. Ghafoor, Abdul & Munir, Anjum, 2015. "Design and economics analysis of an off-grid PV system for household electrification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 496-502.
    17. Nouni, M.R. & Mullick, S.C. & Kandpal, T.C., 2007. "Biomass gasifier projects for decentralized power supply in India: A financial evaluation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 1373-1385, February.
    18. Alam, Majbaul & Bhattacharyya, Subhes, 2017. "Are the off-grid customers ready to pay for electricity from the decentralized renewable hybrid mini-grids? A study of willingness to pay in rural Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 433-446.
    19. Lim, Jeng Shiun & Abdul Manan, Zainuddin & Wan Alwi, Sharifah Rafidah & Hashim, Haslenda, 2012. "A review on utilisation of biomass from rice industry as a source of renewable energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 3084-3094.
    20. Tsuanyo, David & Azoumah, Yao & Aussel, Didier & Neveu, Pierre, 2015. "Modeling and optimization of batteryless hybrid PV (photovoltaic)/Diesel systems for off-grid applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 152-163.
    21. Hossain Mondal, Md. Alam, 2010. "Economic viability of solar home systems: Case study of Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 1125-1129.
    22. Zakir Hossain, H.M. & Hasna Hossain, Quazi & Uddin Monir, Md. Minhaj & Ahmed, Md. Tofayal, 2014. "Municipal solid waste (MSW) as a source of renewable energy in Bangladesh: Revisited," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 35-41.
    23. Blum, Nicola U. & Sryantoro Wakeling, Ratri & Schmidt, Tobias S., 2013. "Rural electrification through village grids—Assessing the cost competitiveness of isolated renewable energy technologies in Indonesia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 482-496.
    24. Bhattacharyya, Subhes C., 2015. "Mini-grid based electrification in Bangladesh: Technical configuration and business analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 745-761.
    25. Bhatt, Ankit & Sharma, M.P. & Saini, R.P., 2016. "Feasibility and sensitivity analysis of an off-grid micro hydro–photovoltaic–biomass and biogas–diesel–battery hybrid energy system for a remote area in Uttarakhand state, India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 53-69.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Figaj, Rafał, 2021. "Performance assessment of a renewable micro-scale trigeneration system based on biomass steam cycle, wind turbine, photovoltaic field," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 193-208.
    2. Saif Mubaarak & Delong Zhang & Jinxin Liu & Yongcong Chen & Longze Wang & Sayed A. Zaki & Rongfang Yuan & Jing Wu & Yan Zhang & Meicheng Li, 2020. "Potential Techno-Economic Feasibility of Hybrid Energy Systems for Electrifying Various Consumers in Yemen," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Elkadeem, M.R. & Younes, Ali & Sharshir, Swellam W. & Campana, Pietro Elia & Wang, Shaorong, 2021. "Sustainable siting and design optimization of hybrid renewable energy system: A geospatial multi-criteria analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    4. Kumar, Pankaj & Pal, Nitai & Sharma, Himanshu, 2022. "Optimization and techno-economic analysis of a solar photo-voltaic/biomass/diesel/battery hybrid off-grid power generation system for rural remote electrification in eastern India," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    5. Khondoker Ziaul Islam & Md. Sanwar Hossain & B. M. Ruhul Amin & G. M. Shafiullah & Ferdous Sohel, 2022. "Renewable Energy-Based Energy-Efficient Off-Grid Base Stations for Heterogeneous Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-33, December.
    6. Md. Sanwar Hossain & Abu Jahid & Khondoker Ziaul Islam & Mohammed H. Alsharif & Md. Fayzur Rahman, 2020. "Multi-Objective Optimum Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Sustainable Energy Supply to a Green Cellular Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-35, April.
    7. Hasan Mahmud & Joyashree Roy, 2021. "Barriers to Overcome in Accelerating Renewable Energy Penetration in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-28, July.
    8. Sameh Mahjoub & Larbi Chrifi-Alaoui & Saïd Drid & Nabil Derbel, 2023. "Control and Implementation of an Energy Management Strategy for a PV–Wind–Battery Microgrid Based on an Intelligent Prediction Algorithm of Energy Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-26, February.
    9. Sanni, Shereefdeen Oladapo & Oricha, Joseph Yakubu & Oyewole, Taoheed Oluwafemi & Bawonda, Femi Ikotoni, 2021. "Analysis of backup power supply for unreliable grid using hybrid solar PV/diesel/biogas system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    10. Nusrat Chowdhury & Chowdhury Akram Hossain & Michela Longo & Wahiba Yaïci, 2020. "Feasibility and Cost Analysis of Photovoltaic-Biomass Hybrid Energy System in Off-Grid Areas of Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    11. Talaat, M. & Farahat, M.A. & Elkholy, M.H., 2019. "Renewable power integration: Experimental and simulation study to investigate the ability of integrating wave, solar and wind energies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 668-682.
    12. Ali Saleh Aziz & Mohammad Faridun Naim Tajuddin & Mohd Rafi Adzman & Makbul A. M. Ramli & Saad Mekhilef, 2019. "Energy Management and Optimization of a PV/Diesel/Battery Hybrid Energy System Using a Combined Dispatch Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, January.
    13. Demirci, Alpaslan & Akar, Onur & Ozturk, Zafer, 2022. "Technical-environmental-economic evaluation of biomass-based hybrid power system with energy storage for rural electrification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1202-1217.
    14. Martínez, Laura V. & Rubiano, Jairo E. & Figueredo, Manuel & Gómez, María F., 2020. "Experimental study on the performance of gasification of corncobs in a downdraft fixed bed gasifier at various conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 1216-1226.
    15. Md. Sanwar Hossain & Khondoker Ziaul Islam & Abdullah G. Alharbi & Md Shafiullah & Md. Rabiul Islam & Afef Fekih, 2022. "Optimal Design of a Hybrid Solar PV/BG-Powered Heterogeneous Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-29, February.
    16. Lozano, Lorafe & Querikiol, Edward M. & Abundo, Michael Lochinvar S. & Bellotindos, Luzvisminda M., 2019. "Techno-economic analysis of a cost-effective power generation system for off-grid island communities: A case study of Gilutongan Island, Cordova, Cebu, Philippines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 905-911.
    17. Cano, Antonio & Arévalo, Paul & Jurado, Francisco, 2020. "Energy analysis and techno-economic assessment of a hybrid PV/HKT/BAT system using biomass gasifier: Cuenca-Ecuador case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    18. Fazlur Rashid & Md. Emdadul Hoque & Muhammad Aziz & Talukdar Nazmus Sakib & Md. Tariqul Islam & Raihan Moker Robin, 2021. "Investigation of Optimal Hybrid Energy Systems Using Available Energy Sources in a Rural Area of Bangladesh," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.
    19. Blessing Ugwoke & Adedoyin Adeleke & Stefano P. Corgnati & Joshua M. Pearce & Pierluigi Leone, 2020. "Decentralized Renewable Hybrid Mini-Grids for Rural Communities: Culmination of the IREP Framework and Scale up to Urban Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-26, September.
    20. Ribó-Pérez, David & Herraiz-Cañete, Ángela & Alfonso-Solar, David & Vargas-Salgado, Carlos & Gómez-Navarro, Tomás, 2021. "Modelling biomass gasifiers in hybrid renewable energy microgrids; a complete procedure for enabling gasifiers simulation in HOMER," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 501-512.
    21. Md. Sanwar Hossain & Khondoker Ziaul Islam & Abu Jahid & Khondokar Mizanur Rahman & Sarwar Ahmed & Mohammed H. Alsharif, 2020. "Renewable Energy-Aware Sustainable Cellular Networks with Load Balancing and Energy-Sharing Technique," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-33, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Das, Barun K. & Hoque, Najmul & Mandal, Soumya & Pal, Tapas Kumar & Raihan, Md Abu, 2017. "A techno-economic feasibility of a stand-alone hybrid power generation for remote area application in Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 775-788.
    2. Hil Baky, Md. Abdullah & Rahman, Md. Mustafizur & Islam, A.K.M. Sadrul, 2017. "Development of renewable energy sector in Bangladesh: Current status and future potentials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1184-1197.
    3. Mollik, Sazib & Rashid, M.M. & Hasanuzzaman, M. & Karim, M.E. & Hosenuzzaman, M., 2016. "Prospects, progress, policies, and effects of rural electrification in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 553-567.
    4. Halder, P.K., 2016. "Potential and economic feasibility of solar home systems implementation in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 568-576.
    5. Come Zebra, Emília Inês & van der Windt, Henny J. & Nhumaio, Geraldo & Faaij, André P.C., 2021. "A review of hybrid renewable energy systems in mini-grids for off-grid electrification in developing countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    6. Md. Sanwar Hossain & Khondoker Ziaul Islam & Abdullah G. Alharbi & Md Shafiullah & Md. Rabiul Islam & Afef Fekih, 2022. "Optimal Design of a Hybrid Solar PV/BG-Powered Heterogeneous Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-29, February.
    7. Mandelli, Stefano & Barbieri, Jacopo & Mereu, Riccardo & Colombo, Emanuela, 2016. "Off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Definitions, classification and a comprehensive literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1621-1646.
    8. Hasan, Md. Yeasir & Monir, Minhaj Uddin & Ahmed, Mohammad Tofayal & Aziz, Azrina Abd & Shovon, Shaik Muntasir & Ahamed Akash, Faysal & Hossain Khan, Mohammad Forrukh & Faruque, Md. Jamal & Islam Rifat, 2022. "Sustainable energy sources in Bangladesh: A review on present and future prospect," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    9. Rahmat Khezri & Amin Mahmoudi & Hirohisa Aki & S. M. Muyeen, 2021. "Optimal Planning of Remote Area Electricity Supply Systems: Comprehensive Review, Recent Developments and Future Scopes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-29, September.
    10. Khan, Imran, 2020. "Impacts of energy decentralization viewed through the lens of the energy cultures framework: Solar home systems in the developing economies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    11. Md. Sanwar Hossain & Khondoker Ziaul Islam & Abu Jahid & Khondokar Mizanur Rahman & Sarwar Ahmed & Mohammed H. Alsharif, 2020. "Renewable Energy-Aware Sustainable Cellular Networks with Load Balancing and Energy-Sharing Technique," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-33, November.
    12. Alam, Majbaul & Bhattacharyya, Subhes, 2017. "Are the off-grid customers ready to pay for electricity from the decentralized renewable hybrid mini-grids? A study of willingness to pay in rural Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 433-446.
    13. Halder, P.K. & Paul, N. & Joardder, M.U.H. & Khan, M.Z.H. & Sarker, M., 2016. "Feasibility analysis of implementing anaerobic digestion as a potential energy source in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 124-134.
    14. Subhes C. Bhattacharyya, 2018. "Mini-Grids for the Base of the Pyramid Market: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, April.
    15. Mohammad Ershadul Karim & Ridoan Karim & Md. Toriqul Islam & Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki & Nurul Aini Bani & Mohd Nabil Muhtazaruddin, 2019. "Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth and Development: An Evaluation of Law and Policy of Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-30, October.
    16. Md. Sanwar Hossain & Abu Jahid & Khondoker Ziaul Islam & Mohammed H. Alsharif & Md. Fayzur Rahman, 2020. "Multi-Objective Optimum Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Sustainable Energy Supply to a Green Cellular Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-35, April.
    17. Swati Anindita Sarker & Shouyang Wang & K M Mehedi Adnan & Muhammad Khalid Anser & Zeraibi Ayoub & Thu Hau Ho & Riffat Ara Zannat Tama & Anna Trunina & Md Mahmudul Hoque, 2020. "Economic Viability and Socio-Environmental Impacts of Solar Home Systems for Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Bangladesh," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, February.
    18. Yilmaz, Saban & Dincer, Furkan, 2017. "Optimal design of hybrid PV-Diesel-Battery systems for isolated lands: A case study for Kilis, Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 344-352.
    19. Khan, Ershad Ullah & Martin, Andrew R., 2015. "Optimization of hybrid renewable energy polygeneration system with membrane distillation for rural households in Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 1116-1127.
    20. Ridoan Karim & Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki & Mina Hemmati & Md Shah Newaz & Haroon Farooq & Mohd Nabil Muhtazaruddin & Muhammad Zulkipli & Jorge Alfredo Ardila-Rey, 2020. "Paving towards Strategic Investment Decision: A SWOT Analysis of Renewable Energy in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-30, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:145:y:2018:i:c:p:338-355. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.