Renewable Energy Economics, Policies and Planning
Aychar Khajavi Pour; Mohammad Reza Shahraki; Faranak Hosseinzadeh Saljooghi
Abstract
Photovoltaic energy is a good alternative to fossil fuels due to the abundance of solar energy. In this research, the criteria for locating photovoltaic solar power plants were identified using previous studies and experts’ views and by using the Delphi method based on five socioeconomic, topographic, ...
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Photovoltaic energy is a good alternative to fossil fuels due to the abundance of solar energy. In this research, the criteria for locating photovoltaic solar power plants were identified using previous studies and experts’ views and by using the Delphi method based on five socioeconomic, topographic, power generation and distribution issues, climatological, and environmental criteria. Then, by using the GIS software, the layers of sub-criteria were classified for locating photovoltaic solar power plants. Upon identifying the proposed decision-maker units for location finding, their efficiency was calculated using the full fuzzy data envelopment analysis method in three steps. The information extracted from the layers of the sub-criteria of GIS was coded using the MATLAB software in the first step of the full fuzzy data envelopment analysis model and the decision-making units were classified into three classes of efficient, weak, and inefficient. In the second step, the values of output shortages and input surplus were determined. Finally, in the third step, efficient decision-making units were ranked using Anderson-Pearson Super Efficiency Method in full fuzzy data envelopment analysis. In order to validate the proposed method, a case study was carried out. The results of calculations showed that the north, central, and southeast areas of Sistan and Baluchestan province were among the favorable areas for photovoltaic solar power plant construction. Therefore, approximately 66 % of the province’s area has appropriate efficiency matching the sub-criteria considered to construct a photovoltaic solar power plant.
Environmental Impacts and Sustainability
Hasan Hekmatnia; Ahmad Fatahi Ardakani; Armin Mashayekhan; Morteza Akbari
Abstract
As a key economic element, energy plays an important role in the development of societies. Economic growth and its urgent need for energy highlight the need for optimal energy use. Wind energy is an energy source that has become an increasingly common source of electricity. In this study, socio-economic ...
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As a key economic element, energy plays an important role in the development of societies. Economic growth and its urgent need for energy highlight the need for optimal energy use. Wind energy is an energy source that has become an increasingly common source of electricity. In this study, socio-economic impacts of the cost of electricity generated by wind power plants were assessed with Iran as the focus of this study. The environmental impacts of wind energy were also considered by reviewing and analyzing research papers. Studies showed that although the use of wind energy in Iran began in Manjil in northern Iran, no significant progress has been made in this field despite all the efforts over the past years. The results indicated that the initial cost of launching wind turbines was the most important factor in the failure of this technology. The costs of purchasing turbines, construction of roads, provision of electrical infrastructure, project management, installation of turbines, insurance premiums, grid connections, and power lines were shown to affect costs of energy production. Furthermore, operation and maintenance costs, the choice of installation location, increasing production capacity, expansion of the energy market, and policies in the country can play an essential role in determining the cost of wind energy production. Given that power generation using wind turbines are economical, it is recommended that turbines be installed in suitable windy locations. In addition, considering that one of the crises facing the world and especially Iran is environmental pollution, utilizing energies such as wind energy for generating electricity is advised due to their lower pollutant emissions and lower economic and social costs.
