Review of Renewable Energy in Iran

Abstract

Increasing in consumption of petroleum, population, environmental problems, diminishingly fossil sources and world trend to energy technology respect to environmental safety and renewable energy are some reasons for most countries to use and investigate on renewable energy. In this regard this paper presents the state of geothermal, wind and biomass energy in Iran. Results indicate that Iran has substantial geothermal potential, specifically in the Sabalan (NW-Iran) and Damavand (N-Iran) regions that are considerate prospects for electric power generation and direct uses. Due to recent advancements in wind energy, many inventors in the country have become interested in investing in this type of energy. At the moment, projects assuming 130 MW of wind power plants are underway. Of which, 25 MW is operational. Results of this study shows that the major biomass resources in Iran are agricultural solid wastes (%59), animal wastes (%28), corrupting waste materials (%11), and industrial waste waters (%2). According to statistical data, the potential biomass energy in Iran is equal to 15 million ton of crude oil which will be estimated about %13 of annual Iranian crude oil sale.

Modeling current and future role of agricultural waste in the production of bioethanol for gasoline vehicles

“…Agricultural residues, especially lignocellulosic products, due to their suitable cellulose and hemicellulose content as the main substance of sugar production in the ethanol conversion chain, are considered as a suitable source for biofuel production (Eckert et al 2018). Various studies have examined the possibility of using municipal waste, agricultural residues, especially lignocellulosic sources such as bagasse, industrial waste (such as pulp and paper and food industries wastes) in Iran, and the results show that the use of second-generation bioethanol production in Iran is economically and technically feasible due to its abundance and low cost of feedstock ( Ghobadian 2012;Madadi et al 2017;Kazemi Shariat Panahi et al 2019;Kazemi Shariat Panahi et al 2020;Ahmadi et al 2020;Ahranjani et al 2020).…”

Role of hydrocarbons and renewable energies in Iran's energy matrix focusing on bioenergy: review

“…Approximately 19.6 Mt of residues are annually generated and primarily burned in the country. As presented in Figure 17, Iran's potential for energy production from biomass waste is estimated to be 9 Mt of agricultural wastes, 8 Mt of animal waste, and 3 Mt of municipal solid wastes (MSW) [29,30].…”

“…Iran's different climate and landscape is an exceptional chance for crop cultivation that can be used for biofuel production. Also, forests that cover 7% of Iran's territory have an outstanding potential for biofuel production [29,30].…”

“…It is possible to observe that a large area across the country presents good potential for okra plantation. FIGURE 23 Progress of biodiesel production in Iran [29] According [32], the of Iranian okra ecotypes have an oil content of 20% that could make up to 325 kg per hectare (kg/ha) of oil yield. Within 2 or 3 days, the okra flowers rapidly turn to fruit.…”

On the Way of Policy Making to Reduce the Reliance of Fossil Fuels: Case Study of Iran

“…Municipal solid wastes, forestry, and farming leftovers and livestock wastes can be accounted as dominant source of bio-energy in Iran [88]. Production potential of biomass wastes in Iran is estimated as 8.78 MT agricultural wastes, 7.7 MT animal manures and 3 MT municipal solid wastes per year, which due to population growth and escalation of consumption are accelerating gradually [3,89].…”