Assessment of potential environmental benefits of using solar power for irrigation pump in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh, the world’s most densely populated nation (1099 persons / km2 in 2010), having a population of 162.20 million in 2011 requires a constant food security to feed her huge population. During peak irrigation the whole country faces an acute energy crisis due to load shedding of 1248 MW. [3], Due to declined fuel availability and the price volatility caused by demand-supply gap, the attention must be centered towards renewable, readily available and non-polluting source like solar energy which is abundant in Bangladesh due to its geographical location. Bangladesh Energy Policy aims to achieve 5 % Renewable Energy of total energy by 2015 when total power generation will hit 13,000-14,000 MW and 10% Renewable Energy by 2020 when the total power generation will hit 22,000 MW. The average annual high speed diesel cost is 1,256 crore which produces 285,510 metric tons Carbon dioxide as GHG. Though in practical environment is not given due attention in Bangladesh like advanced countries but gradually awareness is getting increased thinking consequences of the environment’s degradation and afterward negative externalities to it. In Bangladesh perspective, not only environment can be given single point emphasis but economical and financial aspects are needed to give emphasis equally before undertaking any new system. CO2 is considered as the baseline to measure the extent of the environmental degradation due to GHG. Other GHG are converted with equivalent weightage to it . It was observed that 13 millions of tons of carbon –di- oxide are generated (25 % of total generated GHG) due to the burning of the fossil fuel as hydro carbon while used behind irrigation purpose which ultimately placing impact on the climate change and subsequently adverse effect to the environment . The current study will consider Dhaka-Keranigong area for the solar system based irrigation system, run by BUET. The current study will consider Boro rice which is grown during mid- January to late April. Boro is selected because of its crop-water requirement is high in comparison to wheat (6:1) [7]. During January-April period ground water level goes down, and there is hardly any rain to supplement irrigation. As boro rice is our staple food which captures more than two third of the total irrigated area (3869000 hac / 5602000 hectors). So if this project becomes at least in working level feasible than not only it ensure our food security but will also be applicable for other types crops whose crop-water demand is lesser and if not during boro season than due to Weathered advantage there will be supplement of water due to rain which augments the water supply to irrigation. This research will provide appropriate technological and management tools to the environmentalists and policy makers to formulate strategy of using solar power for irrigation pump in Bangladesh and take appropriate measures to minimize degradation of environment caused by other conventional method. At present farmers are getting 5% less cost of irrigation in comparison to conventional method. Individually this method is not recommended for the farmers but on co-operative alliance, this method will be economically and financially viable. Solar pump for short term economically and financially may not be viable but due to its long longevity (more than 20 years) it is well viable. Moreover technology is advancing to increase life span of PV panels and accessories to reduce its cost. In a test run by BUET at Keraniganj indicates that with local technology and accessories the cost can be reduced to a substantial level. It is certain that fossil fuels are finite and will run out in course of time. Moreover burning of fossil fuel or hydrocarbon causes to emit GHG which is main responsible for climate change in the earth. So this is the right time to adopt renewable, green, sustainable method not only to secure our environment but also to secure our food for our future.