Renewable Energy Data, Analysis, and Decisions Viewed through a Case Study in Bangladesh: Preprint

Many developing countries around the world have signaled their intention to transition their energy sectors to rely on cleaner sources of electricity generation for a variety of reasons that may include complying with their Nationally Determined Contributions (in support of the Paris Climate Agreement), increasing energy security, or reducing air pollution. Renewable energy resources are increasingly a cost competitive option for new electricity generation; however, nations must consider renewable energy potential if they wish to increase these technologies in their electricity generation mix. Yet, goal setting, policymaking, grid modeling, and investment decisions that will enable renewable energy development all depend on the existence and quality of renewable energy resource data. This paper aims to summarize the relationship between renewable energy data, analysis, and decision making for developing countries seeking to transition their energy sector and to consider Bangladesh as a case study of a country that has worked with development organizations and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop a national inventory of renewable energy resource data to enable critical decision making.