Green Energy Optimization in Dinajpur, Bangladesh: A Path to Net Neutrality

Abstract

Bangladesh has endured a significant power crisis as its economy grows. Hence, it is crucial to investigate the 40% expansion of renewable energy to attain the 2041 renewable energy goal as delineated by the government of Bangladesh. The study explores the current agricultural waste situation in rural areas of the Dinajpur District to propose a feasible alternative and integrated waste management system to meet the energy policy targets for animal waste and crop residues. It analyzed the spatial distribution of feedstocks, identified the optimal sites for the locations of biogas plants based on socioeconomic and environmental criteria and geographic information, and evaluated biogas production to satisfy electricity demand using geographic information system (GIS) suitability analysis and hotspot analysis by proposing six different scenarios. The results show that 2.81 million tons of total agricultural residues are sufficient to produce 11.31 million m3 per year of biogas in the study area. Furthermore, it is found that 21 biogas-based power plants using cattle manure and rice straw are spatially and technically feasible to produce 6389.14 kW of electrical energy per year, which meets 5.73% of the demand of the district in 2019. From the 6 proposed scenarios, number 4 can produce the maximum electricity, 3047.41 kW/year. The findings support the target of achieving a clean, green, sustainable energy system in Bangladesh while improving agricultural residue management. Estimating substrate availability and location is one of the first steps in promoting biogas-based energy from cattle manure and rice straw, which demands comprehensive technical, economic, and social policy reforms. Moreover, bioenergy expansion in Dinajpur District via biogasification represents a commitment to long-term investments in rural areas of Bangladesh.