A study of Hydro-electric power station of Bangladesh
Rifatul
Islam Himel
International
University of Business, Agriculture and Technology
Corresponding
address:
himel101@yahoo.com
Abstract- Now-a-days our fuel is diminishing day by day. So, we should concentrate
on other source of energy in this on going situation. Scientist works so hard
to confront this upcoming problem. Third world countries have to face terrible situation,
if present situation continues. So, we need to do something about this matter.
Our concern is on water resource. As we know, water is free source in nature
and with the help of water resource we can solve the energy crisis in our
country as well as save our world. And as doing so, we have to build more hydro-electric
power station in our country. As we intend to concentrate on building more
hydro-electric power station, first we need to get an overview of the present
situation of hydro-electric power station in Bangladesh.
1.
Introduction: Bangladesh is undergoing
the electricity problem in recent years due to the energy crisis. The standard
of living of our people is far behind than other country, as per capita
consumption of its 40% people is about 136-154KWh. And our urban and village
people faces intolerable trouble due to the inadequate production of energy. Our
electricity generation plants have been unable to meet the system demand over
last few years. Bangladesh gets a very
small amount of natural fuel. So, it’s our crying need to think about alternative
source of energy. Bangladesh is a riverine country. It’s easy to generate
electricity with the help of potential energy of water. Proper planning and
designing, technical support, sufficient fund etc are required to solve our
electricity problem. PDB (power distribution board) of Bangladesh has to take
necessary steps as quick as possible to make electricity available to every
corner of Bangladesh.
2.
Basic concepts: Electricity becomes part
and parcel in our modern life. To reach the demand of huge amount of electricity, a special arrangement is introduced by
researcher and scientist to produce this fundamental energy. This arrangement
is known as power plant or electric power generating station. Depending on the
utilization of fuel, power plant can be classified as below:
(1) Steam
power station, (2) Hydro-electric power station, (3) Diesel power station, (4)
Nuclear power station, (5) Gas power station.
So, as far as
we can see there are several kinds of power station, we only emphasis on
Hydro-electric power station for our country.
2.1.
Hydro-electric power station: A generating station where
the potential energy of water at a high level is utilized for generation of
electricity is known as Hydro-electric power station. In other words, the
generating station which converts hydraulic energy into electrical energy with
the help of turbine-alternator combination is known as Hydro-electric power
station.
When water is stored in a reservoir, water head is created. Then the
water energy is converted into mechanical energy with the help of water
turbine. This turbine is in conjugation with 3-phase alternator or ac generator
which uses the mechanical energy of the rotary turbine and produces electric
energy. This method becomes very popular now-a-says due to its low generation
and maintenance cost.
2.2.
Advantages of Hydro-electric power station:
(1) It doesn’t
need fuel, as water is the principle source of energy here.
(2) No smoke,
ash, fume are produced, so it’s quiet neat and clean process.
(3) It
requires less running cost, as water pressure is used as a source of energy
that is free of cost.
(4) Its
arrangement is very simple but it is very robust and has a longer life.
(5)This plant
can easily work according to the energy required and we can instantly turn on
or off the production.
(6) It helps
in irrigation and flood control.
(7) This plant
is very reliable.
2.3.
Choice of site for Hydro-electric power station:
(1) Availability and storage facility of
water: Hydro-electric power plants utilize water energy,
so we should choose such kind of place where water is available and can be
stored easily by constructing dam. So, this plant should be placed in hilly
area where dam can be constructed or beside the river where we get adequate of
water. There is uncertainty of water during a certain period of a year, so, we
should choose some place where there is storage facility.
(2)Transportation facilities: This plant should build in such a place that is accessible by rail path
or road. If, somehow, a machine of the plant is damaged or becomes unsuitable
to work continuously, we should replace this machine. If the place is not
accessible, it is quiet difficult to replace the equipments. So, transportation
facilities should be a good reason for site choice.
(3)Cost and type of land: The initial cost of building a plant in a place should be another reason
for site choice. We must select such a place where land rent cost and dam
construction cost is less. Another thing should be also bear in mind that the
land should have adequate bearing capacity of the ground. As we know,
equipments are too heavy in hydro-electric power plant.
