Absence of smart grids behind frequent trips

Bangladesh experiences frequent grid failures as it does not have smart grids while the power transmission and distribution systems are not fully automated yet, say experts.

As a result, the power sector incurs huge financial and system losses though the country’s power generation capacity is increasing every year, they say.

Unlike a conventional grid, a smart one is an electricity supply network that uses digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in usage.

BD Rahmatullah, former director general of Power Cell, told The Business Post the transmission system becomes weak even if a single glitch occurs anywhere.

“Glitches may occur due to weak power plants and old transmission management systems. It can also happen if more power is distributed than the demand,” he said.

Several regions in the country, including Dhaka and Chattogram, faced several hours of power outages on Tuesday due to national gridline failures.

The authorities could not immediately ascertain the cause of the disaster and formed a probe committee headed by Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Executive Director Yakub Elahi Chowdhury. The committee started its investigation on Wednesday.

Golam Kibria, managing director of Power Grid Company of Bangladesh, could not be reached for comments on the matter over the phone.

Professor Shamsul Alam, an expert in the power sector, said many private power plants, including rental and