ABSTRACT
This research started from a consideration of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12, to “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”. Bangladesh has a high potential for perishable vegetable production, which can only be sustainable by using cold storage facilities, which are not available in many locations because of the limitations of the fossil fuel-powered national electricity grid. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the economic and technical feasibility of solar-biomass hybrid cold storage, using renewable energy sources, to prevent the loss of potatoes at the farm level. This study mainly focused on a 20 MT cold storage facility, and has two main objectives: to determine whether the hybrid-cooling model is technically and economically feasible and to address the potential scope for its implementation in rural off-grid areas where no grid connection is expected within the next 15 years. In order to fulfil the objectives of the feasibility study, field and company visits were undertaken and data collected in Bangladesh, India and the Netherlands. The study was mostly qualitative in nature and utilized standard data collection techniques. Three renewable energy models are discussed in the paper: (1) the solar based model, (2) the biomass-based model and (3) the solar-biomass hybrid model. All three models are expected to have a significantly negative net present value (NPV), mainly due to the large investment costs. This implies that the economic feasibility will rely strongly on subsidies from governments or other organizations. The hybrid model will require a larger investment outlay due to the additional components, but there are significant cost reduction opportunities once the model is standardized and commercialized. Each model is viable in Bangladesh when appropriate use is made of potential revenue streams from byproducts such as silica, ash and excess electricity. However, several issues need consideration such as choosing appropriate location and technology, and expert opinion is needed during the design and implementation phase.
