Study on Potential of Utilization of Retired Gas-Fired Power Plants in Bangladesh by Using Analytic Hierarchy Process

Abstract

Electric power generation in Bangladesh is dominated by indigenous
natural gas. At present, there is an acute shortage of electricity due to
rapid increasing demand and derated generation from state owned, aged,
less efficient gas or steam turbine power plants. They need to consider
proper utilization after retirement to overcome a national problem of
power shortages. This study investigates the alternatives of such
utilization and decision making criteria. The alternatives are (a)
construction of a new combined cycle power plant at the same site, (b)
renovation, modernization and conversion into combined cycle to
increase efficiency and lifetime and (c) to maintain old power plant as it
is. The decision is based on five criteria by using the Analytic Hierarchy
Process (AHP). The criteria are forced outage rate, operation age,
generation cost, environmental, and social effects. Expert judgments are
used for assessing the importance level of each criterion as well as a
final decision on the alternatives. Seven case studies from existing power
plants in Bangladesh are employed. The findings indicate that
generation cost is the most influential factor for making a decision about
an aged gas fired-power plant. Moreover, the alternative, construction of
a new combined cycle power plant at the same site is the best option in
Bangladesh.