With global spread of the new variant of COVD-19, omicron, international team members faced enhanced restrictions for international travel. In the month of December/2021, international members conducted their activities remotely, while national members led the work including contribution to two batches of GoB training targeting industrial sector, Project MIS data checking and update, foreign training preparation and feedback of energy audit conducted in November, 2021.
1. Contributions to GoB Training
SREDA has been conducting a substantial number of training programs on different sectors in the country and PI consulting team members are contributing in a direct, as well as indirect manner to realize attractive and fruitful training sessions. In December 2021, SREDA hold two batches of each two day long online training programs, targeting the industry sector. Industrial sector is one of the major energy consuming sectors and there has been identified a significant scope of energy saving potential. Process and machinery modifications and implementation of technological advancements in industries is required to be popularized. Also, energy management practice in industries will play a vital role for achieving energy efficiency.
The 1st batch of training program on Energy Efficiency & Conservation in Common Technology was held on 21st and 22nd of December 2021. It was offered to the senior level officers & engineers of BCIC, BSEC and Ministry of Industries. On 21st December 2021, three of PI consultant team members presented their lectures at session 1 & 2. In session 1, Dr. Takeshi KIKUKAWA, Financial Expert & Mr. Shah Zulfiqar Haider, Peng, Technical Adviser, Project Implementation Consultant Team, EECPFP provided their lectures on “Benefits of Improving Energy Efficiency” and “Energy Consumption in various Industries” respectively.
In session 2, Mr. Md. Masood Rahman Khan, Energy Audit Expert, provided lecture on “Facilitation (Energy Audit & Management, Low-cost Finance)” and “Monitoring and Evaluation – Monetary Benefits from energy savings and Energy Economics”.
The 2nd batch of training program on Energy Efficiency & Conservation in Common Technology was held on 28th and 29th December 2021. It also targeted the senior level officers & engineers of BCIC, BSEC and Ministry of Industries. On 28th December 2021, three of our PI team members presented their lectures at session 1 & 2 as batch 1. In this sessions, Mr. Yoshihiko KATO, Team Leader; Mr. Shah Zulfiqar Haider, Peng, Technical Advisor; and Mr. Md. Masood Rahman Khan, Energy Audit Expert, provided their lectures as in the 1st batch.
The trainings are expected to encourage some of the participants to consider accessing to EECPFP for introduction of the recommended common technologies. Both batch’s lectures were found very interactive with questions received from the participants.
2. MIS Sub-projects Data Inventory Checking
End of year inventory checking of the sub-projects data on the Project MIS was conducted. It was found that there are some loan applications for which the NOCs have already been issued, but are left stagnant, without progress, without the prospect of further development. BIFFL decided to close the following three applications on the MIS: AF19031901 (for spinning machines costing BDT 190 million), AF19032101 (for sewing machinescosting BDT 32 million), and AF19101601 (also for sewing machines costing BDT 65 million). As the consequence, the number of NOCs issued and remaining valid has decreased to 22 (15 sub-projects and 7 NOC-received applications). Now the MIS data has been updated, reflecting the actual situation of the Project loan applications.
3. Foreign training
Foreign training program has been long awaited, but it was not feasible to conduct one among the COVID-19 global pandemic and unpredictable restrictions on international travel. As the infection situations are worsening in EU and Japan, an alternate place was searched for. The PI consultants proposed to conduct foreign training in Thailand. Thailand has relatively advanced EE&C policies and technologies. However, such plan is up to pandemic situations in both Thailand and Bangladesh, travel restrictions, as well as acceptance of hosting organizations. As of 8/January/2022, the entry into Thailand is restricted, after the Thai government suspended “Sandbox” program which allows vaccinated foreign visitors to stay in Thailand without any quarantine measures, which makes foreign training not feasible to be conducted for the time being.
4. Feedback on energy audit
On 28/December, feedback meeting was conducted for Etafil Accessories with support from IDCOL. The PI consultants conducted energy audit in November/2021 and provided findings. They included observed efficiency of wate heat recovery system, efficiency and chillers, and recommendation for insulation of exhaust gas pipe. In addition, discussions were held on how to improve MIS reporting. It was agreed to add breakdown of electricity related data.
Appendices
Appendix 28-1: Training material: Training Program on Energy Efficiency & Conservation in Common Technology (1st Batch) (21/Dec/2021)
Appendix 28-2: Training material: Energy Consumption in various Industries “Benefits of Improving Energy Efficiency” (1st Batch) (21/Dec/2021)
Appendix 28-3: Training material: Facilitation (Energy Audit & Management, Low-cost Finance) (1st Batch) (21/Dec/2021)
Appendix 28-4: Training material: Monitoring and Evaluation – Monetary Benefits from energy savings and Energy Economics (1st Batch) (21/Dec/2021)
Appendix 28-5: Energy audit feedback for Etafil Accessories