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Eco & Energy Efficiency |
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Experts at a national seminar underscored the necessity of efficient use of energy through using energy saving appliances and devices to augment business profitability -- an approach which reduces the consumption/demand of energy and thus conserves the national energy reserves such as natural gas. This approach, at the same time, will lead to protection of the environment by reducing excessive emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) from fossil fuels used as primary energy sources, although the latter is of lesser priority in the context of Bangladesh, being a developing country with one of the lowest per capita energy consumptions in the world. They were of the opinion that efficient use of energy can significantly reduce energy consumption and demand in all sectors - domestic, industrial, commercial and institutional and therefore, can subsequently ease the mounting load on energy supply and its reserves across the country - both in its primary and secondary forms, i.e. natural gas and electricity. Electric lighting alone, for example, presently accounts for an electrical load demand of over 900 MW, a significant share of which, for example, is due to the huge number of lights, primarily fluorescent tube lamps (FTLs), used in over 3,600 units of Readymade Garment Industries, operating all over the country, particularly in large cities and towns, like Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna. They said that while the fluorescent tube lamps used in the RMG industries are already more efficient when compared to incandescent lamps, a simple intervention, like replacement of the magnetic ballasts, presently used with FTLs, by energy efficient electronic ballasts, can significantly reduce the load and power consumption in the RMG industries. It is interesting to note that although the Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), when they are used to replace incandescent lamps, can save more energy, the use of CFLs is neither appropriate nor necessary in case of RMG industries, as the latter have to comply strictly to the requirement of the RMG buyers, who specify “a given lumen (light flux) at the needle-point” (of sewing machines). They said the suggested intervention to replace the present magnetic ballasts with their electronic counterparts can also save between 25-30% of energy consumption / load. This is a globally proven technology and this fact has been practically demonstrated through a Pilot Project, initiated by GTZ in five (5) RMG industries. Businessmen and entrepreneurs should take decisions promptly to convert their conventional electronic appliances into energy efficient ones not only to reduce their business expenses but also to get quality energy and conserve their reserves in the long run, the experts added. German Development Cooperation (GTZ) organized the seminar in association with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers’ and Exporters Association (BKMEA) titled, “Better business through eco and energy efficiency,” in hotel Westin in the city on April 16 last. Speaking at the seminar the discussants said while in general, the efficient use of energy in the lighting sector can save electricity to the tune of 260 megawatts (MW) a year on a national basis (all sectors), in the RMG sector alone, there is an immediate scope to save electricity load demand between 50-75 MW, if and when the said globally proven electronic ballast technology is up-scaled to all 3,600 units of RMG factories, presently operating in the country. Bangladesh is now reeling under an acute electricity crisis, having power generations of around 3500 MW, against a demand of over 5000 MW on an average. Load-shedding in the range 600 MW-1200 MW has become almost a routine. Efficient use of energy can ease the country’s nagging electricity crisis and help Bangladesh’s economy significantly. The key objective of this seminar, jointly organized by GTZ, BGMEA and BKMEA, was to transfer the knowledge, including the results of the Pilot Project conducted on 4 RMG units on this particular eco and energy efficient technology and disseminate (upscale) the latter to all existing and future RMG factories, which would not only contribute to making better business (improved profits), which is naturally their first consideration as businessmen/entrepreneurs, but also save national energy and make positive contributions to the national, regional and global environment and ecology. Special Assistant to Chief Adviser -- Professor Dr M Tamim was the Chief Guest at the seminar, moderated by GTZ Senior Adviser, Sustainable Energy for Development (SED) Dr. Engineer Khursheed-Ul-Islam. Mr. Peter Palesh, Country Director, German Development Cooperation (GTZ), welcomed the Chief Guest, the Presidents and the Members of the BGMEA, BKMEA, the Special Guests and all other Invitees in the seminar and briefed on GTZ’s Programmes and their goals and objectives. Mr. Erich Otto Gomm, Coordinator, GTZ Programme on Sustainable Energy for Development (SED) was also present in the seminar. Dr. Atiq Rahman delivered a presentation on “Eco Efficiency and Environmental Issues in the RMG Industry,” Rural Electrification Board (REB). Director of Rural Electrification Board (REB) Engr. B D Rahmatullah, delivered a presentation on, “Energy situation in Bangladesh: Special focus on RMG industry.” Dr. Khursheed-Ul-Islam of GTZ delivered the presentation focused on the theme and objective of the seminar - “Eco efficiency through energy efficient lighting system in RMG industry.” The Managing Director of Prakaushali Sangsad Limited (PSL) - Ms. Asma Haque, whose institution was engaged by GTZ to conduct a Pilot Project with Electronic Ballasts in five (5) RMG factories, presented the details of results of the pilot project on “Eco efficiency in Garments sector.” BUET professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain, a Special Guest in the seminar, delivered a presentation on, “Better Business through Eco & Energy Efficiency” Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce Gulam Mustaquim, also a Special Guest spoke on Government’s role and possible supports on the subject. BKMEA President Fazlul Hoque, BGMEA President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (DESA) Chairman Brig General Nazrul Hasan and were, among others, spoke at the seminar. Prof Dr. M Tamim Energy saving though efficient use of energy is the demand of time as the country is now faces an acute crisis of energy. Efficient use of energy is necessary to reduce energy consumption significantly and slash energy expenditure substantially in the long run. But high initial cost (the “first-cost barrier”) of energy efficient appliances has posed as a barrier to mass use of such appliances, which eventually lead to lack of compliances to energy and eco efficiency. Relatively low energy prices, especially of natural gas, the local culture and scopes of consumers to default payments on energy bills and also tariff barriers, like high CDVAT on energy efficient equipment and systems, even in knocked down form (imported by local manufactures) also act as barriers to wide scale use of energy efficient equipment/appliances. Appropriate measures and incentives, however, can reduce/remove such barriers. Efforts should also be made to popularize the uses of energy efficient appliances, through awareness creation, which could be in the form of demonstrations and publicity in print and electronic media. The energy ministry is going to launch a major awareness programme to encourage people in energy saving. In view of the enormous importance of saving and conserving energy, the Energy Efficiency was named earlier by an expert the “Third Fuel”, after natural gas and coal. Dr. Engr. Khursheed-Ul-Islam The country cannot afford to let the “Stars” of Bangladesh Economy – the Readymade Garment (RMG) Industries - suffer from energy crisis. The RMG Industry has courageously and successfully crossed many difficult ‘bridges’ of the post-multi-fibre agreement (post-MFA) era. It is strongly hoped that the business leaders’ in the RMG sector shall succeed again in finding a way out and forward through more critical crossroads - this time to meet the challenges of large national gap between demand and supply of energy - the natural gas and power through applying the best practices of management, engineering & technology. The RMG sector earns about 75% of the total national exports and employs about 3 million people, most of whom are lower middle class women, thus making an unique practical match between a complex matrix of parameters that contribute to national development - the economic growth, gender parity and poverty reduction. A professional eco-assessment work, commissioned by GTZ found that energy is a costly input to RMG Industry and accounting for up to 20% of the final output (finished garment). It found that lighting - fluorescent tube lamps (FTLs) - accounts for 30% of the total energy input, sewing (electric motors) 45%, ventilation/air-con.10%, boilers & iron (using natural gas) 7%, water supply, compressor & miscellaneous 8%. Electricity demand for lighting nationally is about 900 MW. In about 3,600 RMG Industries, presently operating in the country, the connected lighting load is estimated at about 360 MW (51 Watt or 0.051 kW per FTL with magnetic ballast, presently used). Even if 85%,i.e. about. 3,000 RMG units are intensively operating (having continuous export orders), the lighting load due to FTL with magnetic ballast alone would be about 300 MW. The estimated numbers of FTLs in about 3000 RMG Industries are about 6,000,000 units, which are connected to the same number of energy wasting magnetic ballasts. Based on an eco-assessment report, pilot tests were conducted in four different RMG factories, which showed that the electrical energy (both capacity and hence also consumption of power) between 25 - 28% could be saved by replacing the existing magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts. If the existing magnetic ballasts of FTLs are replaced by quality (standardized) electronic ballasts, in all RMG industries, in phases, the RMG owners could save about 25-28% of their electricity bills for lighting which could be added to their profits. The electronic ballasts have the same cost as their magnetic counterparts. They pay their costs back in about one year. Thus the results of pilot test correspond to global experience of energy saving using electronic ballasts and requires to be up-scaled replicated immediately to all RMG Industries To protect the consumer against any possible bad quality electronic ballasts, GTZ has already initiated steps with Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institutions (BSTI) for capacity building of the latter, so that only standardised and labelled ballasts (with at least one year guarantee) gets access to market and the consumers. Domestic manufacturing of quality electronic ballasts, using complete knocked down (CKD) and or semi-knocked down (SKD) electronic components should be encouraged. GTZ has already opened dialogues with energy ministry for waiver of customs duty, VAT (CDVAT) on CKD and also reduction of the latter in case of SKD components of electronic ballasts in stages. Until the domestic capacity grows, imports of completely built units (CBUs) may be permitted to meet the market demand. This should, however, be banned once the requisite domestic production capacity is reached Keen interests, have already been shown, in the meantime, by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) funding group of The World Bank, who may support the up-scaling of the electronic ballast in RMG Industries, apart from supporting other major lighting efficiency improvement programmes like CFL. Asma Haque A Pilot Project initiated in five (5) RMG factories operating in and around Dhaka city revealed that up to 28 % saving on electricity consumption can be achieved in the RMG factories. Installation of electronic ballasts, which replaced magnetic ballasts in five (5) RMG factories and their monitoring using separate Energy (kWh) Meters, dedicated to lighting circuits only practically and clearly established the advantages of electronic ballasts over magnetic ones for increasing energy efficiency. Such savings by electronic ballasts are also internationally proven by all professional electrical engineering institutes, e.g. Efficient Lighting Initiative (ELI), who are global leaders in Energy Efficient Lighting and whose specification guidelines are followed for Standardization of CFLs and Electronic Ballasts. The electronic ballasts have reduced material intensity, reduced energy intensity, reduced dispersion of toxic substances, enhanced recyclability, maximized use of renewables and extended product life over magnetic ballasts. It consumes lower power for same illumination, can save around 30% energy compared to magnetic ballasts, long useful life (30,000 vs. 10,000 hours), high range of operating voltage (70 to 250), low heat dissipation and low flickering. The survey revealed that average energy consumption per FTL/hr with magnetic ballast is 37.27 watt (W) and average use per month hr/FTL is 250. Total monthly consumption per month/FTL, is 9,318 W-hr. Monthly savings per FTL with 25% using electronic ballast is 2,329 W-hr and cost of energy saved per FTL /month @Tk.5.50/KWh is Tk 12.81. The survey found that a factory having 500 FTLs with magnetic ballasts needs investment of Tk 80,000 to convert those into electronic ballasts and in turn can save energy cost of Tk 76,800 per year. Thus electric power (load) to the tune of 45 MW - 60 MW could be saved only in the RMG industries, on the basis that some 3000 running RMG factories that each has 2000 FTLs and 0.03 to 0.04 kW for each tube. Creation of public awareness through seminars and demonstrations to utilities and relevant organizations, phase-wise full coverage of all the factories in the country I necessary. Stopping import of magnetic ballasts is also required when local production of world quality electronic ballasts is established. Dr. Ijaz Hossain Rationalization of energy prices, utility bill collection, absence of incentive for energy efficient and “green” technologies and lack of policies to punish inefficient technologies are the barriers to energy efficiency. A standard type incandescent light consumes 100MW of electricity, has life of 1000 hours and its market price is Tk 22 per piece, while a CFL light consumes 23 Watts (W) of electricity, has life of 10,000 hours but its market price is Tk 290 a piece. The CFL, therefore, will save Tk. 1250 in electricity (compared to the incandescent bulb) during its rated life for an electricity price of Tk.3.5/kWh. CFLs can be bulk purchased directly from companies at Tk. 260 each and incandescent bulbs for Tk. 20 each, a Tk. 240 difference. But, over the life-span of a CFL, 7 bulbs need to be purchased at Tk. 240, simply because of the short life span of the incandescent lamps. The estimated payback period for buying the CFL instead of the incandescent bulb is, therefore, 1000 hours, which is 200 days (or about 6 months) at 5 hours per evening. A Pilot CFL project should be immediately implemented. Depending on its success, such projects should be implemented all over Bangladesh, and as far as practicable even in REB areas. All commercial establishments, including small shops in rural areas MUST use CFLs. Since use of CFLs in many industries (e.g. garments) may not give the desired service, a study should be initiated to determine an exemption list, but a 10% mandatory requirement can be immediately imposed for all industries All urban households greater than 800 square feet must convert 50% of their lights to CFLs in two years time. Eco (Environmental) Compliances of Industries Dr. Atiq Rahman Demography, loss of agricultural land, rapid urbanization, pollution, un-planned infrastructure, human displacement, housing and human settlement, climate change, natural disasters, natural resource management, lack of integration, environmental governance, improper implementation of laws and biodiversity losses are the major environmental challenges of Bangladesh. There are about 24,000 registered small-scale industrial units in Bangladesh. It is generally accepted that there were an equivalent number unregistered. There are about 4107 RMG industries (2004-2005) in the country and many of these industries are highly polluting due to the consequence of their rapid and largely unregulated development. Although existing legislation specifies stringent effluent standards, they are not adequately adhered to or enforced. The waste the factories generate degrades natural resources, and threatens the ecosystems and the livelihood systems of the tens of thousands of people who use these resources. A survey was conducted in Kaliakoir industrial cluster where the key elements were environmental monitoring, effluent treatment plant, clean production options The survey conducted in six years (1999-2005) in 11 industries reveals that water bodies are highly coloured in places due to the dye and the high sulphide levels, which makes the water black. Annual loss of energy from non-insulated valves (DN 100, 10 bar) can amount to 1500 cubic meter natural gas, the survey found. It also suggested that steam traps must be installed after every 25 meter in the main steam headers. Steam trap will remove the moisture from steam lines and avoid further condensation and prevent heat loss and reduce fuel consumption Pressure can be set at lowest acceptable level, lower the pressure the lower the energy losses. Pressure can be set at lowest acceptable level, lower the pressure the lower the energy losses. The survey also suggested for reusing condensates, which saves energy. Replacing energy wasting motors is also important. These motors use 60-70% of energy Switch to high efficiency lighting and computer controlled management system to turn off lighting and equipment are also necessary to ensure efficient use of energy. Related Topics & Presentations BD Rahmatullah CFLs installation can save 390 MW of electricity load across Bangladesh. Total light load in the country is around 900 MW. Replacement of incandescent and FTLs with CFLs can reduce the load to 540 MW. So a reduction of a demand around 260 MW will take place. A crash program is necessary to reduce the load. As installation of CFLs causes relatively higher expenses some Tk 10 million can be utilized as seed money, which will be revolving to give payment for the CFL to the consumers through installments. It can be recovered within 9 months through reduction of energy consumption Peter Palesch Bangladesh can develop significantly if it improves in the sectors like health, renewable energy and good governance. The country needs to promote use of renewable energy to overcome energy crisis. It also requires promoting eco-efficiency in energy use. Use of renewable energy can enhance electricity by at least 13 per cent. One can save a lot with little investment through efficient use of energy. Fazlul Hoque Country's RMG sector has become more competitive on rising cost of production and the buyers' reluctance to pay higher prices. At the same time, the prices of raw materials of RMG items have gone up by 20 percent to 50 percent over the last few years, which is really a matter of concern for the country. Although we have invested a lot of money in the sector, we have no guarantee for getting it back unless we improve the power situation. At present the industries are suffering a lot due to load shedding (around eight to ten times a day), which is hampering industrial production badly and resulting in huge consequential losses. The government has an obligation to improve the power supply situation Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez RMG sector would not be able to survive in the competitive global market without complying with eco and environment friendly status. The government should formulate a long-term action plan on energy supply, usage vis-à-vis its availability, as the RMG sector is largely dependent on the availability of energy. An action plan is necessary for next 15-20 years, considering the soaring energy consumption in the growing industrial sectors. In current situation it is impossible to set up any new industry due to energy crisis. |
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