Factories, power plants can halve energy use: expert

Factories and power plants in Bangladesh can save up to 50 percent of energy through using heat recovery technologies. 

An energy efficiency expert made the observation at a workshop organised by German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in association with Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) and Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) at a hotel in the capital yesterday.

Dr Chandra Sekhara Reddy Chirla, who works for Singapore Refinery Company Private Limited, said there is proven technology running for last 10-15 years, which can save energy use up to 50 percent.

“Normally, heat recovery technology can increase energy efficiency by 25-30 percent. But there are some technologies being used in the USA and the UK that have the potential to increase efficiency up to 50 [percent],” he told the workshop, participated by senior officials from different power and energy-related organisations from public and private sectors.

He said there are many technologies in the world which are being used by developed countries in their industries. Through these technologies, exhausted heat is recovered and reused in the factories, he noted.

Sharing his experience in conducting studies in Bangladesh's textile industry, Dr Chandra Sekhara Reddy Chirla said generally textile industries uses boilers for dyeing fabrics.

“If they use flue gas for their energy, it could easily increase their energy efficiency," he said.

So, textile, garment and power plants have a good potential to use the technology, he said, adding that the government has a role to play in this regard.

“The government must encourage industries and power plants by providing them with some sort of incentives to move for using energy-efficient technology,” he said.

He also mentioned that if factories and power plants use heat recovery technology, they can get returns of their investment within only two years. In addition, they can get the benefit of carbon credit facilities from it, Dr Chirla said, adding that there must be a specific policy framework from the government in this regard.