As an emerging nation, Bangladesh is currently grappling with various challenges in securing its energy needs, particularly the requirement for dependable and sustainable energy sources. The country primarily depends on natural gas, coal, and oil to fulfill its energy requirements. However, these conventional energy sources are limited and non-renewable, and their utilization contributes significantly to environmental issues, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, hydrogen fuel presents itself as a clean and renewable energy alternative that could transform Bangladesh’s energy landscape.
Hydrogen fuel is a fuel produced by extracting hydrogen from sources like water or natural gas, which can then be utilized to power vehicles or generate electricity. The adoption of hydrogen fuel as an energy source is increasing because of its clean and renewable characteristics. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by merging hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapor being the only byproduct of this process. One of the primary benefits of hydrogen fuel is its environmental advantages. Hydrogen fuel generates no greenhouse gasses or toxic pollutants, rendering it a clean and sustainable energy option. Another benefit of hydrogen fuel is its widespread availability. Hydrogen is the most plentiful element in the universe and can be sourced from various materials, such as water and natural gas. This indicates that hydrogen fuel is a renewable energy source that can be generated locally, thereby decreasing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Bangladesh is investigating hydrogen fuel as a viable clean energy alternative. With an increasing need for energy, the nation finds its conventional energy sources, like natural gas and coal, to be limited. Implementing hydrogen fuel could enable Bangladesh to satisfy its energy needs while decreasing dependence on non-renewable resources. The use of renewable energy technologies for producing green hydrogen holds great promise for Bangladesh. Establishing hybrid renewable energy facilities along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, including locations like Kuakata, Sandwip, St. Martin, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram, could effectively address the power demand issues in Bangladesh.
One sector where hydrogen fuel may be especially beneficial in Bangladesh is transportation. The nation has a substantial transportation industry, with most vehicles utilizing fossil fuels. Implementing hydrogen fuel in this sector could greatly cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, resulting in better air quality and enhanced public health. Apart from transportation, hydrogen fuel has the potential to produce electricity in Bangladesh. The nation has been putting resources into renewable energy, including solar and wind, yet these options are variable and can lack reliability. Employing hydrogen fuel cells for electricity generation could offer a steady and dependable supply of clean energy.
While hydrogen fuel offers many potential advantages, there are also significant challenges to overcome. A primary challenge is the high expense associated with producing and storing hydrogen fuel. At present, the production costs of hydrogen fuel surpass those of conventional fossil fuels, and the necessary infrastructure for its storage and distribution is also costly. Another issue is the safety related to hydrogen fuel. As a highly combustible gas, hydrogen requires stringent safety protocols to prevent accidents. Furthermore, there are worries about the possibility of hydrogen leaks, which could pose risks to both the environment and public health.
Bangladesh has established its first hydrogen energy laboratory along with a small hydrogen production facility in Chittagong, a coastal city in the southeastern region of the country. This facility was officially opened by the Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) on January 20th, 2021. The plant will initially utilize waste and biomass as its input materials. It is anticipated that this facility will significantly contribute to the hydrogen sector in Bangladesh and achieve an important research and development milestone that will facilitate the establishment of large-scale hydrogen production plants for commercial and industrial use. Additionally, there are plans to incorporate water electrolysis technology for hydrogen production in the near future. This project aims for the research and quality control related to hydrogen production, storage, supply, and infrastructure development. However, study and research shows that the Solar PV based green hydrogen production is considered promising and cost effective. The potential of this approach is yet to be explored in Bangladesh. This is a solar boom country. Using solar power to produce green hydrogen might become a prospective business, here. A study of Hydrogen Energy Storage Based Green Power Plant (Solar-Wind hybrid model) in the seashore of Bangladesh shows that per unit cost of the system is 0.09$/kWh. It identifies that the green hydrogen production scheme can be used to store renewable energy in an environmentally safer way. However, the study does not analyze the production cost of hydrogen separately. Beside this the power production model includes a power generator which uses hydrogen as fuel.
Also, Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) has established a team to examine data from current research and initiatives in developed countries regarding sustainable and dependable hydrogen production methods for fuel. This team will draft a project proposal once they gather satisfactory information. It is anticipated that experimental use of hydrogen fuel in the country will be feasible by 2035.
Hydrogen fuel holds the promise of transforming the energy landscape in Bangladesh. With the increasing energy needs of the country, hydrogen fuel could satisfy this demand while decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. Implementing hydrogen fuel in the transportation sector could greatly lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, thereby enhancing public health. Nonetheless, there are challenges that must be tackled, such as the significant expenses related to hydrogen fuel production and storage, as well as the safety issues that arise from its use.
S.M. B.Baque, M. K.Kazi, O. M.Islam, S.Barua, S. M. Mahmud andM. S.Hossain, “Hydrogen Energy Storage Based Green Power Plant in Seashore of Bangladesh: Design and Optimal Cost Analysis”, IEEE Intl. Conf. on Innovations in Green Energy and Healthcare Technologies, 2017.