The infection status of COVID-19 in Bangladesh stayed stable in the month of November., which enabled three international experts to work in the field in collaboration with the national experts of the team and the SREDA officials. Major activities performed during the months were energy audit in three sub-projects (two of IDCOL, and one of BIFFL), two training programs for SREDA management and officials, awareness raising activities among others.
1. Energy audit in three sub-projects
(1) SD18062501 (18/Nov/2021)
SD18062501 fabric and garment units were visited on 18th November 2021. Details of audited equipment as well as the findings are as follows:
Table 1 Energy audit at SD18062501
| Unit | Equipment | Result | |
| Garment unit | Sewing machine | Direct drive type with servo-motor Production line No.18 consists of 20-sets of sewing machine of 400W or 320VA motor output | Power consumption is lower than expected consumption based on catalogue.Use of sewing machines (load factor) was significantly limited. |
| Fabricunit | Once through steam boiler | 2 ton/h X 4-sets | Operation is controlled by multiple operation system. Boiler efficiency is good. |
| Other observation:Observed area: PI consultants went through the plant production process and check the indoor working environment quality (temp & R.H), light level (lux) and insulation of hot surface.Findings: Steam valves are not insulated (negative aspect). Indoor environment quality including lux level is good enough (positive aspect). |
(2) SF18080901 (21/Nov/2021)
SF18080901 was visited on 21st November 2021. Details of audited equipment as well as the findings are as follows:
Table 2 Energy audit at SF18080901
| Equipment | Result | ||
| Eligible equipment | Winder | 8 sets1 set of winder consists of 80 units | Power consumption is lower than expected consumption based on catalogue. |
| Other equipment audited | Air compressor | Compressed air used for winder55kW X 4-sets | Air compressor with inverter control is operated smoothly. |
| Ring spinning frame | New ring frames plan to be installed in the expansion section | (For reference use only) | |
| Other observation:Observed area: PI consultants went through the plant production process and check the indoor working environment quality (temp & R.H), light level (lux) and power factor at sub-station.Findings: Power factor is almost 1.00 (positive aspect). Indoor environment quality is maintained through a humidifying plant which is good enough (positive aspect). |
(3) SD18070101 (22/Nov/2021)
SD18070101 was visited on 22nd November 2021. Details of audited equipment as well as the findings are as follows.
Table 3 Energy audit at SD18070101
| Equipment | Result | ||
| Waste heat recovery equipment | Gas engine generator | 2,000kW | Total efficiency is 73.0% at load of 83%. |
| Absorption chiller | Chilled water output from exhaust gas and hot water | ||
| Other equipment | Compressor | 30kW X 3 sets and 37kW X 1 set | Pressure gauges are advised to be installed for the inspection of pressure loss of air cleaning unit. |
| Other observation:Observed area: PI consultants went through the plant production process and check the indoor working environment quality (temp & R.H).Findings: Indoor environment quality is maintained through an air conditioning system which is good enough (positive aspect). |
2. Supports for Further NOC Issuing
Among the three NOC requests received in October, one with AD21051801, for a gas engine cogeneration, was issued back on 25th October. The second one, with AF21100301, for spinning machines with ancillary equipment, was issued on the very last day of October. One pending was the request AD21100401, for a RMG factory with more than 40 models of various machines including sewing machine, air compressor, VRF air conditioner and elevator, has taken time for the eligibility checking. The PI Consultant Team collaborated with SREDA PIU to have all the equipment checked against the evidence information, to have it ready, by mid-November. It was successfully issued on 17th, with all of the 49 models deemed eligible for the Project loan.
3. Institutional Capacity Development
Three training programs were provided for SREDA management and officials.
(1) Energy Efficiency Technologies and Energy Audit in Steel Sector (17/Nov/2021)
The training included 1) overview of the steel sector in the world and Bangladesh, 2) energy efficient technologies in the steel sector, 3) energy audit in the steel sector. It was highlighted that Bangladesh increases its steel production recently. It is notable that Bangladeshi steel production depends heavily on the imported raw materials (scraps and billets). Secondly, three energy efficient technologies, namely vertical type scrap preheating unit for arc furnace, regenerative burner, and endless bar rolling system were presented. Those technologies are now eligible under EECPFP. Lastly, energy audit in the steel sector was briefed, including energy intensity, energy audit practices and case study.
(2) Training on methodologies and case studies for Energy Audit (24/Nov/2021)
This training is outcome of energy audit recently conducted in three sub-projects as described in chapter 2.1. It is also a part of attempt to standardize energy audit procedures under EECPFP. The training included 1) purpose and type of energy audit, 2) energy audit equipment, 3) methodologies and procedures of energy audit, 4) outcome of three energy audit conducted in sub-project sites. Firstly, it is noted that while generally there are several types of energy audit with different purposes, energy audit which is conducted under EECPFP should focus on eligible equipment. Also it is important to check data reported in MIS. Secondly, five energy audit equipment which were procured by the team were presented, which are exhaust gas CO2 analyser, thermo viewer, pressure meter, lux meter and data logger. Thirdly, energy audit methodologies and procedures were explained, referring to some instruction documents prepared by the team. Lastly, the preliminary result of three energy audit which were recently conducted in sub-project sites were reported.
(3) Training (external) on Energy Efficiency Technologies for Steel Sector (30/Nov/2021)
SREDA convened the training inviting the state-owned enterprises and the private steel sector participants to share knowledge on the basic knowledge and room for energy saving in Bangladeshi context. Dr. Md. Aminul Islam, Professor MME BUET conducted a series of sessions on various processes in steel manufacturing. The Team Leader contributed in one of the sessions by briefing on the sector overview, energy efficiency scopes, and on recommended technologies. The training is expected to encourage some of the participants to consider accessing the Project fund for the introduction of the recommended technologies, especially the scrap preheating function of electric arc furnaces.
4. Awareness raising activities
(1) Billboards
Four out of eight billboards were already installed in November 2021 by Mugnee Multiple. The rest of the billboards have been printed out and are now ready for installation. Once we receive the client’s approval of their desired location, the rest of billboards will be installed. The locations where the billboards have been installed are shown in Table 4.
Table 4 Details of installed billboards
| Location of Billboard | Size | |
| 1 | Elius Pump, Kumira, Dhaka-CTG highway | 1,200 sft |
| 2 | Aushkandi Toll, Dhaka-Sylhet Highway | 1,600 sft |
| 3 | Natun Rasta Mor. Khulna | 1,000 sft |
| 4 | Patch Char, Bhanga, Madaripur (Barisal) | 1,200 sft |
(2) Brochure and Video Clips
5. Energy audit equipment
To encourage the industry more to select and use various type of energy saving equipment and to be actively involved in the EECPFP scheme, success stories will be provided through a brochure and video clips. IDCOL and BIFFL selected the nine case studies to be used and will be presented through a brochure and video clips. Our team requested price quotations from two outsourcing companies which will be creating the brochure and video clips. After receiving the price quotations from them, our team has chosen one outsourcing company to do the project for us, but the contract was not yet signed. Our team held several meetings with this outsourcing company to negotiate the rates and the other details of the contract. We are almost done the negotiation. If everything is completed, we might have a contract.
The last energy audit equipment to be procured reached to SREDA office on 10/November/2021. It was thermo viewer. Purchase order was issued in April/2021, taking 7 months to be delivered mainly due to travel restrictions between India and Bangladesh due to COVID-19. The national experts of the PI Consultant team inspected the device to be in a good condition in presence of SREDA official. Their observations were summarized in the prescribed ” Inspection Sheet”.
Appendices
Appendix 27-1: Training material: Energy Efficiency Technologies and Energy Audit in Steel Sector (17/Nov/2021)
Appendix 27-2: Training material: Training on methodologies and case studies for Energy Audit (24/Nov/2021)