Economic energy supply using renewable sources such as solar and wind in hard-to-reach areas of Iran with two different geographical locations

Abstract

The proliferation of environmental pollutants, the financial implications of energy transmission and distribution, the scale of electrical network assets, and the accessibility and finite nature of fossil fuels collectively constitute significant catalysts for the progression of renewable energies. Within this framework, the present study scrutinizes governmental performance in mitigating energy poverty and investigates the pragmatic implementation and economic viability of harnessing solar energy and compact wind turbines to provide electricity to two distinct, remote, and underprivileged regions of Iran. These regions have persistently confronted the predicament of energy inaccessibility, rendering the establishment of conventional infrastructure financially burdensome. The study contemplates three scenarios: the integration of solar panels and batteries, the combination of wind turbines and batteries, and standalone wind turbines. The Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP) is incorporated to augment system reliability, thereby elucidating its influence on costs. This study employs a diesel generator as a cost-efficient contingency measure to scrutinize system reliability under conditions where LPSP ≠ 0. The precision of the results procured is corroborated using mathematical optimization functions in the linear Simplex model for the first and third scenarios, and the nonlinear model with the genetic algorithm for the second scenario. The findings disclose that in both regions, the scenario involving small wind turbines and batteries emerges as the most optimal, with costs amounting to 9600$ for the case 1 and 6420$ for the case 2, culminating in a substantial reduction in energy supply costs relative to other scenarios. This underscores the advantageous impact of cultivating renewable energies in areas with high potential. Moreover, the non-economic costs associated with the establishment of a traditional electricity distribution network, which will be 27 times higher for the first village and 49.8 times higher for the second village compared to the optimal scenario (wind turbine and battery), have been demonstrated.

Consequently, the outcomes of this study, which underscore the optimality of small wind turbines at low and stable wind speeds, aid decision-makers in implementing cost-effective strategies for alleviating long-term energy poverty and fostering the development of energy, health, communication, and education systems.