Abstract
This exploratory research outlines an opportunity for increasing renewable energy share in Bangladesh by using electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) as a catalyst. The overall objective of this research is to show how to utilise an existing opportunity, such as e-rickshaws, as energy storage options for integrating renewable energy sources. It proposes a grid-connected local energy system considering a battery swapping and charging station (BSCS) for e-rickshaws as a community battery energy storage (CBESS). This system was simulated using the HOMER Pro software. The simulation results show that such systems can help communities significantly reduce their dependency on the national grid by integrating solar PV locally. The proposed BSCS also shows an opportunity for battery demand reduction and circular battery management for electric rickshaws. The research also discusses the economies of scale of the proposed method in Bangladesh, and pathways for implementing microgrids and smart energy systems. The innovative concepts presented in this research will start a policy-level dialogue in Bangladesh for utilising local opportunities to find an alternative energy storage solution and provide momentum to the researchers for further studies.
Highlights
The intermittent characteristics of renewable energy (RE) sources, especially solar and wind, is a major challenge for integrating them into the grid [1]
To promote RE integration, especially in developing countries, this research presents the potential of taking advantage of an existing opportunity as a distributed energy storage option
A battery swapping and charging station for electric vehicles can be used as a community energy storage
Summary
The intermittent characteristics of renewable energy (RE) sources, especially solar and wind, is a major challenge for integrating them into the grid [1]. Bangladesh is considering using hydro resources from Nepal and Bhutan through cross-border electricity trade for meeting its increasing energy demand, which can be used as storage to handle the variability of local renewable resources [4]. This option is still in an initiation phase and lacks sufficient economic, technical, and geopolitical studies. Energies 2020, 13, 6119 of informal EVs, such as electric rickshaws, and consequent growth of lead-acid battery market Considering these facts, taking Bangladesh as a case country, the author scrutinises how existing opportunities, such as electric rickshaw, can be utilised as energy storage options with the help of modern technologies. The conclusions section summarises the findings and contributions of this work
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