Saving of natural gas through optimal operation of Bangladesh Power System

The depletion of gas with its use is a great concern of Bangladesh. Electricity sector consumes 47% of total annual use of gas. Because of the peculiar input energy requirement characteristic of thermal units with their output the generating units are operated such that the total input energy requirement is minimum in a power system. As load management through load shedding, is a common phenomenon of Bangladesh power system (BPS), it is generally considered that the scope of optimal loading of units in BPS does not exist. This paper investigates the scope of optimal loading of units of BPS. It applies dynamic economic unit commitment scheduling technique for BPS to evaluate the production cost and the corresponding gas requirement for the past and future period. It also studies the possibility of reducing gas requirement in BPS through its optimal operation. The investigation results deserve the attention of natural resource planners and utilities.