1

Replacement of renewable energies in Arasbaran Biosphere reserve instead of

forest wood

Mona Poorzady

PhD in Environmental Policy

September 2015

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Abstract

Affordable energy services are key elements of economic development and eradication of

extreme poverty as called for in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The

Arasbaran mountainous forest Biosphere reserve in North West of Iran has a great

potential for the use of renewable energy. People residing in or close the biosphere

reserves need to access clean and economically energy. Addressing the challenge of a

new sustainable energy system involves an increased use of renewable energy sources.

Renewable sources of energy offer win-win solutions by increasing the access to energy

while reducing environmental impacts and mitigating climate change. This requires local

competencies as well as endogenous scientific capacity as a foundation for an enhanced

knowledge of the different related technologies and their adaptation to different contexts

and needs. Aim of this research is to find most suitable kinds of renewable energies

according to the socio economic, geographical and ecological situation of the study area,

using Iran's wind capacity dispersion map, Iran solar energy map, Geothermal energy

resources map of Iran. Results showed that geothermal energy in Arasbaran could be

good choice because this region is close to Sabalan (North west) which has highest

capacity for geothermal energy, also wind energy could be the second choice.

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Table of contents

1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………….…….….…5-6

1.1. Arasbaran Biosphere reserve………………………………………………….……...….7-8

1.2. An over view of renewable energies in Iran…………………………………….……….8-12

2. Actors in renewable energy sector of Iran…………………………………………………...13

3. Wind Energy potential………………………………………………………………….…......14-18

3.1. Situation of Wind Energy in Iran……………………….....................................…...18-20

4. Solar energy potential………………………………………………………….…………….....23-24

5. Geothermal power potential……………………………………………..............………...….24-27

6. Biomass, biogas, hydrogen energy and fuel cell………………………………………….…....28-30

7. Fuel cell and hydrogen…………………………………………………..………….………….30-34

8. Non-governmental renewable power plant projects……………………..………….………....34

9. Conclusion and recommendations………………………………………..……………..……..35

10. References………………………………………………………………………………….....46-48

List of Tables:

Table 1.situation of wind power plant projects in several provinces in Iran…………………..…..….15

Table2. Specification of wind turbines for various site in Iran…………………………….……..…...15

Table3. Electricity generation from several wind power plants………………………………..……...16

Table4. Specification of observation and executive program for wind power in Iran……….............16

Table5. Situation of Established Plants in Iran…………………………………………………….......18

Table6.The capacity of several power plant stomeet demands in2011–2014………………….……...20

Table7. The solar energy project completed or near completion…………………………….……...…25

Table8. Electricity generation from several solar power plants……………………………….…...….26

Table9. Different potentially geothermal regions investigated north and northwest Iran…….……….27

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Table 10, Different potentially geothermal regions investigated north and north-west Iran……….….31

Table 11. Specification of geothermal energy projects of Ministry Energy of Iran…………………...31

Table 12. Iran s biomass type………………………………………………………………………..…34

Table 13. Specification ofbiomassandbiogasprojectsministryenergyofIran……………………………35

Table14. Iran s production capacity and domestic consumption of electricity from biogas power

plant………………………………………………………………………………………………...….35

Table15. Specification of Full cell and Hydrogen projects of Ministry energy of Iran…………….…36

Table16. specification of renewable energy power plant projects in 2010, Non-governmental…….…37

List of Figures:

Fig 1. World total final consumption from1971 to 2009………….……….………….……..8

Fig. 2. Renewables as a percent of total installed capacity worldwide……………..………..9

Fig. 3. Key drivers for renewable energy in developing economies…………………………………….13

Fig. 4. Global deployment potential of various renewable energy sources…………….……………….19

Fig. 5. Electricity generation from renewable and non renewable sources in Iran……………….....….19

Fig. 6. Variation of wind speed potential in different site in m/s……………………………………….20

Fig. 7. Iran's wind capacity dispersion at an altitude of80m………………………………………....….21

Fig. 8. Electricity generation from wind power plants…………………………………………….…….21

Fig 9. Iran solar energy map……………………………………………………………………………..24

Fig. 10. Main structural (tectonic) regions of Iran………………………………………………….……29

Fig. 11. Geothermal energy resourcesmapofIran.The14geothermal areas are ranked inorder of importance

(Sabalan the highest rank and Lar- Bastakthe lowest)………………………………..………………...30

Fig. 12. Share of potential energy of biomass waste in Iran………………………………..............….32

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1. Introduction

Biosphere reserves are sites for social learning in the local community; without a

sense of responsibility in the neighborhood, solidarity on a global level will never

be reached. Through information exchange and cooperation in a worldwide

network, biosphere reserves can also help to promote collective action in the battle

against climate change. Energy is at the heart of human, social, economic, and

sustainable development issues. Decisions taken on the use of energy sources and

on the technologies to use have a major influence on opportunities for

development, as well as on the wellbeing of human beings and ecosystems. Energy

and environment issues cannot be dissociated with development concerns and they

are linked to other physical resources like forest and agriculture, water, land, air, in

fact the entire biosphere. [1]

Energy is also at the core of the climate mitigation agenda. As energy demand

continues to grow, the ability to address energy issues, including energy access,

efficiency, and renewable energy sources, will be paramount in enabling

development and climate change priorities to be met in a mutually reinforcing way.

In the phase following the 18th Climate Change Conference - COP18, and as

identified by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development - RIO+20, there is a

need to address energy as the main and critical driver of sustainable development

and the new global Climate Change deal. [2]

In this context, renewable energy has become a cornerstone of the UN strategy.

The aim is to anticipate the solutions to avoid events that mortgage our common

future over time. Access to basic, clean and affordable energy services is essential

for sustainable development and poverty eradication and can provide major

benefits in the areas of health, non-delocalized job creation, socio economic

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empowerment and equity. Addressing the challenge of a new sustainable energy

system involves an increased use of renewable energy sources. Renewable sources

of energy offer win-win solutions by increasing the access to energy while

reducing environmental impacts and mitigating climate change. This requires local

competencies as well as endogenous scientific capacity as a foundation for an

enhanced knowledge of the different related technologies and their adaptation to

different contexts and needs. [3]

Addressing the challenge of a new sustainable energy system involves an increased

use of renewable energy sources. Renewable sources of energy offer win-win

solutions by increasing the access to energy while reducing environmental impacts

and mitigating climate change. This requires local competencies as well as

endogenous scientific capacity as a foundation for an enhanced knowledge of the

different related technologies and their adaptation to different contexts and needs.

Biosphere reserves are an effective instrument for mitigating climate change and

serve as models for adaptation to the impacts of this change. This applies

particularly in the domains of sustainable land use, green economies, safeguarding

ecosystem services, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies.

Biosphere reserves are learning sites for sustainable development. The large

number of UNESCO Sites around the world, in critical ecosystems ranging from

small islands to mega cities, makes it possible to build and share a comprehensive

knowledge base on good practices and policies on the use of environmentally

sound energy technologies and their adaptation to specific contexts and needs. [4]

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1.1. Arasbaran Biosphere reserve

Arasbaran biosphere reserve situated in the north of Iran at the border to Armenia

and Azerbaijan belongs to the Caucasus Iranian Highlands. In-between the

Caspian, Caucasus and Mediterranean region, the area covers mountains up to

2,200 meters, high alpine meadows, semi-arid steppes, rangelands and forests,

rivers and springs.

Arasbaran is the territory of about 23,500 nomads who are mainly living in the

buffer and transition zones (2000). Economic activities in the biosphere reserve are

mainly agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, apiculture, handicrafts and

tourism, but business activities can also be found in urbanized areas.

At the level of local communities and households, renewable energy can ensure

access to basic energy services even in the most remote areas, including lighting

and communications, transport, cooking, heating and cooling and pumping water.

Thus, besides contributing to climate change mitigation, it will also help address

local sustainable development. Most protected areas are part of the socio-economic

production system of people residing in or close to protected areas. It is crucial to

understand local livelihood strategies and their dependency on and interaction with

natural resources.

Iran has great potential as well as a series of strategic and entrepreneurial

foundations for building up and implementing resource conservation policies.

The aim of the investigation is to collect information on the current situation of

renewable energies in Iran. To this end, interviews will be carried out with Iranian

politicians, government employees and scientists regarding the state of

technologies, and the political and economic possibilities as well as restrictions.

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Accordingly the renewable energy potential in Iran and the main players will be

identified. In addition, the current political agenda and innovation strategies for

successful propagation of renewable energies in Iran will be described.

1.2. An over view of renewable energies in Iran

Iran as a major oil producing country has increasingly paid attention to the non-

fossil energy resources, in particular to renewable energy sources for its longer

term energy plans .In this regard, 11 projects Pertaining to solar energy are being

utilized or carried out by Iran's Ministry of Energy. The total photo voltaic power

installed in 2004 was 14020 MW. This rate reached 67MW by the end of2010.

Further, two geothermal projects are being constructed in Ardabil Province at

present. By the end of 2010, the Meshkinshahr geothermal power plant project

revealed a progress rate equalto50%. Similarly, the package construction project in

Ardabil revealed a 32% progress. Due to financial hard ship in the Fourth

Development Program, the completion of these projects was extended to the end of

the Fifth development Program. The name plate power of biogas power plants in

Iran is 1.860MW the total Installed capacity is1.665MW.According to Strategy

document of Fuel Cell technology development (Approved by the government

in2004)Iran has revealed good progress in fuel cell projects. Private sectors have

already signed contracts to build more than 600MWof biomass systems and

500MW of new wind energy developments. The nominal power of the wind parks

that can be erected in the available sites with remarkable wind potential in Iran is

approximately 6500MW, employing wind turbines of 60,000MW nominal power.

The estimated mean annual capacity factor of these wind parks is 33%. Global

energy consumption has increased two folds in last40 Years; see Fig. 1 from IEA

Key World Energy Statistics [5]. In1960, the global energy consumption rate

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was3.3Gtoe, while in 1990 this rate hit 8.8Gtoe.This indicates an average annual

growth of3.3% and a total increase of166%.Presently, the global energy

consumption rate is 10Gtoe/year and it is predicted that this rate would amount to

14Gtoe/year by 2020 [6]. These rates indicate that the global energy Consumption

rate is on the rise in years to come. This has highlighted the important issue,

whether fossil fuel energy resources can meet the global energy demand for

survival and development in the Coming decades? While the concern for pollution

and global warming is over shadowing all planning and decision makings. Two

major reasons can be noted, that give rise to the development of alternative Energy

sources that are both clean and renewable:

(1) What is used a fossil fuel is concentrated chemical type, and now a days is

Fig. 1. World total final consumption from1971 to 2009 [7].

more valuable than being burn in for energy.

(2) The emergence of Sustainable development concepts and issue, global

warming, health problems due to pollution. These and other issues have caused

under taking enormous Effort by the global community to find alternative

energy sources

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Fig. 2. Renewables as a percent of total installed capacity worldwide [8].

At the end of 2010, Iran held approximately 10% of the proven world oil reserves

and about 16% of the proven natural gas reserves [4]. Additionally, the country is

endowed with significant renewable energy potentials. Nonetheless, these

renewable energy potentials remain inconsequential compared to the readily

available and low-cost fossil fuel resources. Particularly in the electricity sector

opportunities exist to increase the share of renewable energies that would not only

fortify the existing electricity system in the country, but also free up fossil fuel

resources for export. The Iranian government has in the past ten years taken steps

to encourage renewable energy integration in the electricity supply of the country.

Hereby, international best practices such as feed-in tariffs, encouragement of

private sector developments in the renewable energy industry and research funds

towards renewable energy projects have been considered and applied to a certain

extent. Reality, however, draws on other sets of challenges for fossil fuel rich

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countries such as Iran that put in place tremendous hurdles to the development of

renewable energies. This research seeks to highlight the financial hurdles through

the existing energy pricing and subsidization scheme in Iran that have not allowed

renewable energies to become a viable alternative to fossil fuels in electricity

generation. The paper draws out the specific hurdles and prospects of renewable

energies that many countries face in their transition from fossil fuels towards

renewable energies but are more critical in those countries that have significant and

low-cost fossil fuels available. The period between 2000 and 2011 has been

particularly telling for Iran as it has endeavored on policies to support the inclusion

of renewable energies in the electricity sector, particularly through feed-in tariffs

and favorable pricing schemes.

The Initiative will include the following main actions:

Mobilize UNESCO sites for field learning on renewable energy solutions and

commitment to the efficient use of energy; Offering a platform for interconnection

between multi-stakeholder actors working in the renewable energy field,

identifying barriers and working to bridge existing gaps to increase the maximum

deployment of renewable energy; Disseminate opportunities, advantages, and

practical applications of renewable energy technologies in UNESCO sites:

photovoltaic, geothermal, biomass, wind, solar thermal and small hydropower;

Develop a system of consultations with authorities and managers of each site to

identify opportunities, barriers and challenges related to renewable energy

uses/policies;

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Identify the good practice case studies as projects that demonstrate a positive

contribution to energy efficiency and the use of renewable and are suitable for

replication by energy actors at local and regional level;

Promote capacity building and awareness-raising on the use and application of

renewable energy systems targeting local communities, including an advanced web

platform focusing on renewable resource potential in UNESCO sites;

Promote the use of renewable energy systems for the electrification of public and

local community facilities in the selected sites;

Draw up a status report of renewable energies in UNESCO sites, which would

include identifying good practices, the selection of priority-sites and the

opportunities to replicate successful experiences;

Promote partnerships with leading public and private stakeholders, including

international organizations, networks, renewable energy industry, NGOs and

governments interested in supporting the Initiative.

The experience of El Hierro demonstrates that it is actually possible to achieve

energy self-sufficiency using renewable energy sources in certain areas such as

small mountainous islands and isolated rural areas. It also teaches that the process

of replacing energy sources should be accompanied by the development of a

culture of energy saving and efficiency and by new ways of governance.

The Wind-hydro project provides a viable and innovative solution replicable in

small and medium island territories and areas isolated from the energy grid. The

experience is serving as a reference for territories such as Aruba, Easter Island,

some Japanese islands, and other biosphere reserves such as Minorca.

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2. Actors in renewable energy sector of Iran

Iran provides a vast spectrum of statistics on energy. There are many organizations

active in this field, namely:

• Management and Planning Organization: “Government Budget Documents”;

• Ministry of Energy: “Annual Energy Balances”;

• Central Bank of Iran: “National Accounts”;

• Statistical Center of Iran: “Population Census” and “Family Budget Surveys”;

and,

• Environment Preservation Organization: “Pollution Data

In addition to the above, many statistics from international sources such as

IEA and the World Bank have reviewed and utilized.

Fig. 3. Key drivers for renewable energy in developing economies.

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3. Wind Energy potential

Wind or air motion comes from temperature gradient between two or more regions.

Application of wind energy goes back to thousands of years, but its application to

generate electricity was made prevalent in last century. The early provision of

natural power to replace or augment human and animal muscle power came from

the widespread use of sail wind mills and water wheels of various designs used for

grinding grain and for pumping irrigation water. Such installations can be found

from Egypt in the Middle East across Mesopotamia and Iran to China in the Far

East . Wind power is still used for pumping water, irrigating the farm lands and

grinding the food grains in addition to generation of electricity. Wind turbines do

not need fossil fuels and therefore do not release polluting gases into environment.

The wind turbines and the accessible roads occupy only less than 1% of the total

area of a wind site. So, it is possible to use the rest 99% of the area for cattle

grazing or cultivation if necessary. The wind power turbines can produce

electricity when only there is enough wind. Besides this, the quantity of electricity

generation varies with the intensity of wind flow. The manufacturers of wind

turbines can design and produce their products according to the environmental

specific conditions for example, for low wind flow regions, a type of wind turbine

has been made that its rotors are larger than the generator. These systems can gain

the peak electricity generation with relatively low wind velocity, though they lose

some of the high velocity wind potentials. In a study the preconditions for

installing wind turbines has been listed as follows:

political willingness,

good wind conditions,

available and accessible land, and

Available utility grid.

It has been made clear that the possibilities for wind power in Iran are extremely

good and all the above conditions are fulfilled. It has been therefore suggested that

wind power is an important factor in the electricity production and 100–300 wind

turbines can be installed at each wind farm location. This wind farm would then in

15

reality function as a power plant. By putting up such wind farms at different

locations in the country, the electricity production would become more

decentralized and saving environment from the damaging pollution from burning

traditional fossil fuels. The investigations and the research projects conducted so

far to estimate the wind potentials include 26 regions and 45 sites in Iran. The

results indicate that though in general the country falls in medium wind velocity

regions of the world, but in some of the regions, continuous winds with suitable

velocity exists which are capable of generating electricity. In one of the research

projects, a mathematical model was engaged to assess wind energy resources on

selected sites potentially suitable for wind energy applications in Iran [8]. This

research work resulted in estimation of the average yearly energy production of an

appropriate wind turbine for 13 selected locations.

Table 1

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Table 2

Table 3

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Table 4

However, since this force is limited and feeble, human has always sought in his

imaginations for an infinite source of energy accessible anytime and anywhere.

This can be found in various stories made up by primitive human’s mind and

imagination. Gradually, with the improvement of civilization, wood, charcoal, oil

and gas entered energy market. However, due to the daily increasing demand for

energy and due to the limited fossil resources, and because of daily increasing

environmental pollution caused as a consequence of burning such energies, making

use of recyclable energies is becoming more significant. Wind energy is one of the

main recyclable energies on which human have been focused for long so that he

has always sought to use this energy industrially. Human has used wind energy to

drive arks, sailboats and mills. Under current conditions and compared with other

novel sources of energy, wind is much more cost effective and being able to use

this energy seems vital. In Iran, there are proper potentials to install and set up

turbines that operate with wind energy and taking the study findings into account

and with regard to the investments that have been made in this domain, application

and development of this technology seems promising to the policy makers.

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3.1. Situation of Wind Energy in Iran

Altogether the situation of Wind Energy in Iran can evaluated from four

viewpoints.

A: Established Plants

Based on statistics obtained from Iranian New Energies Organization the situation

of established plants in Iran are as Table 5 [9]:

Table5. Situation of Established Plants in Iran

Iran aims to add about 5,000 MW of wind and solar power capacity by 2018.

Earlier this year, the Iranian government had announced elaborate plans to boost

renewable energy infrastructure. While most of the 5,000 MW capacities would be

based on wind energy technology, the government intends to develop at least 500

MW of solar power capacity initially. Construction on 400 MW capacities has

already been started while contracts for 900 MW projects have been signed.

The government has implemented a number of favorable policy initiatives to

promote renewable energy infrastructure development. The Iranian energy ministry

introduced feed-in tariff of $0.15 per kWh for renewable energy projects. The

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government also provides 50% of the installation costs of residential solar power

systems.

To efficiently utilize alternative energy resources, it is necessary to acquire

accurate identification of limitations, obstacles and available facilities. The degree

to which Iran draws on current energy potentials and the development process of

renewable

Fig. 4. Global deployment potential of various renewable energy sources [10].

Energy carriers needs to be calculated and evaluated through a precise scientific

method. Iran is one of the richest countries of the world in terms of various energy

resources, since it enjoys extensive fossil fuel resources such as petroleum and

natural gas

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Fig. 5. Electricity generation from renewable and non renewable sources in Iran [11]. Note: Sources of electricity

refer to the inputs used to generate electricity. Coal refers to allcoal and brown coal, both primary (including hard

coal and lignite- browncoal)andderivedfuels(includingpatentfuel,cokeovencoke,gascoke,coke Oven gas, and

blastfurnace gas).Peat is also included in this category. Gas refers to natural gas but excludes natural gas liquids .Oil

refers to crude oil and petroleum products. Electricity production from renewable sources includes hydropower,

geothermal, solar , tides, wind ,biomass, and biofuels.

and possesses high potential for renewable energies, wind power (Fig. 5). Today,

environmental and economic issues and attitudes have come under focus in

different countries regarding exploitation of

Fig. 6. Variation of wind speed potential in different site in m/s [12].

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Fig. 7. Iran's wind capacity dispersion at an altitude of80m [14].

Table6

The capacity of several power plant stomeet demands in2011–2014 [13].

22

Fig. 8. Electricity generation from wind power plants.

energy resources. Many countries have shown much interest towards exploitation

of renewable energy resources. Accordingly, application of wind power energy is

continuously on increase in many countries. According to the latest official data

[15], the global wind powercapacityincreasedby37.4GWduring2009.According to

US DoE [16], use of renewable energies, in general, and wind energy, in particular,

is on the rise for the following reasons:

- Wind energy is economically competitive.

-Wind energy is a valuable future crop for farmers and ranchers (wind farm

development is an excellent source of local jobs, from construction to maintenance

and up keep [17]).

-Unlike most other electricity generation sources, wind turbines do not consume

conventional power sources and do not emit gases in the atmosphere.

-Wind energy is an indigenous, home grown energy source that contributes to

national security.

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The impacts of wind parks on the natural environment and human activities are

mild [18].

Because wind energy's “fuel” is free, it reduces the risk Associated with volatile

fossil fuels. Iran has been involved in Designing and manufacturing of Wind mills

since2000BCVast windy regions are available in different parts of the country.

Presently, there are good grounds in the country to expand utilization of wind

mills. Wind electricity generators can function as suitable substitutes for gas and

steam Power generating plants. Studies already conducted on wind energy

potential estimation in Iran have indicated that at least

4. Solar energy potential

Although use of solar energy in its direct and indirect forms can be traced back to

many ancient civilizations, it is still reasonable to say that the technological

harnessing of this environmentally benign energy source has occurred only over

the last four decades of this century. Early use of solar energy has been attributed

to Hero Alexandria and the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean region that

understood fully and applied effectively the basic principles of solar efficient

architecture. This can be sect especially in Greek and Roman building which

incorporated the solar design feature first enunciated by Greek philosophers [19].

For the cities situated in the desert, the annual solar radiation and daily sunshine

hours is much more than the averages mentioned here. The CRERAAEOI so far

has conducted and completed many research projects in the area of solar energy.

The design and simulation of solar water pumps, solar water distillation of various

types, design, manufacture and simulation of solar collectors of different types,

solar refrigerator and design and manufacture of solar air heaters are some of the

examples. Similar projects are also done by some universities, research institutions,

and also research center of the Ministry of energy on solar energy. Table 8 shows

the solar energy projects completed or near completion. The projects to be

completed during the third 5-year plan are off-grid photo voltaic (PV) systems and

solar water heaters. Both AEOI and Ministry of Energy are working on PV

projects and solar systems. Water heaters of the flat types are designed and

manufactured by Ministry of Energy.

Table 9 shows electricity production for several sites in Iran from 1998 until 2006.

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Fig 9. Iran solar energy map

5. Geothermal power potential

Due to decomposition of the internal earth’s crust elements, huge amount of heat is

produced. At the most sub terranean layers of the earth, temperature increases so

high that stones and soils are melted. If underground flowing water passes in close

vicinity, it becomes hot. The water temperature sometimes even rises up to 150 8C

(300 8F). When this hot water reaches the earth surface from crevices, it is called

‘‘Geyser’’. In most cases, lot of vapor also leaves the earth surface along with the

hot water. Geothermal resources is not same everywhere and these resources

mostly exist wherever there is a volcano. One of the methods of using the

geothermal energy directly is house heating and also heating the greenhouses. This

method is mostly used in the countries like Hungary and Italy. Another way of

25

using this energy is generation of electricity. Very hot water and vapor is pumped

and transferred to power plants through pipelines to start rotating and keep on

moving turbines. Some of the countries such as New Zealand, America, Japan,

Iceland, Turkey, Indonesia, China, etc., have built power plants to generate

electricity from geothermal energy. Although the geothermal energy, with its 0.3%

compared to the total electricity produced worldwide plays a very minor role on

the world energy scene, but compared to other renewable energy sources it ranks

first (Table 1). The forecasts of geothermal power were supposed to be at 11025.8

MW[20]. Results indicate that Iran has substantial geothermal potential in the

north and northern provinces and there are several hot water springs, the

temperature of some of which reaches to 85 8C. Company (ENEL) suggests that

Sabalan (Booshli), Sehand, Damavand, Maku–Khoy and Sareine regions have

promising prospects for electrical generation (Table 10). The Center of Renewable

Energy Research and Application (CRERA)-AEOI, and Ministry of Energy are

investigating these regions in detail to harness this type of energy [21]. The

Meshkinshahr area in Sabalan region has been selected for the first exploration

drilling site (Fig. 6).

Table7

26

The maximum temperature of local thermal springs is 83.5 8C. The geothermo

metry has been attempted the investigations carried out by an Italian and best

estimates are in excess of 150 8C in deep wells. Similar investigations approved 10

more potentially suitable regions for this purpose in other parts of Iran. The

Electric Power Research Center (EPRC) and Renewable Energy Organization of

Iran (SUNA) were established to justify priorities of the above mentioned regions

[22]. Fig. 7 shows geothermal prospects of Iran. Since Iran is a developing country

with an increasing rate of electricity of consumption, in order to secure the supply

of electrical energy, estimated at a growth rate of 3000 MW/year, in future

renewable energy in general and geothermal energy in particular should play an

important role to help the sustainable development of the country. In the long-term,

geothermal energy will remain a viable option to furnish clean, reliable power in

Iran. Geothermal development offers a viable energy alternation to fossil fuel,

though environmental and social impacts of geothermal development must be

carefully a properly managed. With the experience of Meshkinshahr we can write

our scenario for the future and define new projects for

Table8

27

Developing a geothermal industry in Iran. Some well are drilled in Meshkinshahr

field. Data are gathered during drilling and flow testing. The early results allow

undertaking a volumetric stored heat calculation, which will provide an indication

of the resource potential [22]. There are many balneology places and tourism

attractions in the Sarain area, which is located in the province of Azarbayjan.

Meshkinshahr and Sarain are in the Sabalan region and the outlet of the

Meshkinshahr power plant and new wells in Sarain could give us sufficient energy

for direct use of geothermal energy in tourism attractions in Sabalan. Damavand

field is another high enthalpy location which has been earmarked for future

activity. One of the strategic future tasks in surface and drilling exploration in 14

geothermal targets (see Fig. 7) [23–25].

Table 9. [15-17]

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6. Biomass, biogas, hydrogen energy and fuel cell

As the world reconsiders its energy options in light of the sources of greenhouse

gasses, hydrogen power has been discussed more and more as a viable non-

polluting means to achieve goals set by the Kyoto protocol. Pertaining mostly to

the transportations sector, hydrogen fuel cells have received significant attention

and undergone extensive research. A renewable energy system using hydrogen will

not produce any pollution. It is possible to eliminate toxic emissions from cars by

replacing the internal combustion engine with hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen cars

produce only water as exhaust. Hydrogen is a harmless fuel, which can be

produced from crude oil in refineries and is the least expensive fuel in Iran.

Hydrogen production from natural gas present in oil fields can be used as an

economic method for hydrogen production. Despite abundance of hydrogen and

serious environmental consequences of fossil fuels, no regular plan has been made

to use it. The greenhouse gases are not poisonous per se, but their high

concentration in atmosphere will cause global warming. Using hybrid cars (that

run on both electricity and gasoline) was a temporary remedy which only

postponed global and regional environmental and energy crises. Biomass, in the

energy production industry, refers to living and recently living biological material

which can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly biomass

refers to plant matter grown for use as biofuel, but also includes plant or animal

matter used for production of fibers, chemicals or heat. Biomass may also include

biodegradable wastes that can be burnt as fuel. Table 11 shows Iran’s biomass

type. Taleghan site (see Fig. 8), could give us sufficient energy for direct use of

hydrogen energy.

At the moment, useful and applicable resources of biomass are not limited to wood

and dried leaf only and encompass a wide range of materials such as solid and fluid

urban waste, industrial waste, etc. Renewable resources of energy are the fourth

largest energy resource in the world, after coal, petroleum and natural gas. This

Resource supplies almost 14%of the global primary energy and presently more

than11.5%of global primary energy is supplied through biomass resources. This is

while3to4%oftherequired primary energy is merely supplied by biomass resources

from the United States. The amount of interest in using biomass as an Energy

source has increased—it is estimated to comprise15–50% of the world primary

29

energy by2050 [26]. Biomass capability is not limited to heat production .In fact; it

is also used in production of coldness and required fuels for transportation and

electrical Energy generation. Nearly 4000MW of power generation and

225,000MWof heat production in modern power plants was Full filled in2005using

biomass resources, of which10,000 MW was generated in the United

States(almost58%of generation

Market of renewable resources in the United States).Also, more than 50billion

liters of renewable fuel is produced and consumed from biomass resources based

on the studies conducted, almost 64% of primary resources of new energies in the

EU is designated to biomass resources. Similarly, around9%ofthe generated

electrical energy and 98%of the thermal energy, produced by new energy

resources, belongs to biomass energy resources (including hydroelectric

Resources).Biomass energy is the sole renewable energy source which delivers

energy in the form of electricity, heat, coldness, and automobile fuel and in solid,

liquid and gaseous forms. Further- more, bio matters which replace petro chemical

feeds are also among its other products. Fig. 12 illustrates share of biomass waste

potential energy in Iran. The name plate capacity of biogas power plants in Iran is

1860KW, the total installed capacity is 1665kW and the total Gross generation

is5967GWh.According to potential evaluations Conducted, installable capacity at

the urban solid waste disposal site of Shiraz equals1060KW.However,considering

the position

30

Fig. 10. Main structural (tectonic) regions of Iran [27].

Fig. 11. Geothermal energy resourcesmapofIran.The14geothermal areas are ranked inorder of importance

[27] (Sabalan the highest rank and Lar- Bastakthe lowest).

and specifications of waste disposal, during past years, the current utilization

capacity of the disposal site of Shiraz is 450KW.With regard to the equipment

installed, the real rate of electrical energy production from the solid waste disposal

site of Mashhad is approximately 654 MWh per month. Of course, the obtainable

rate of energy will considerably be higher if disposal site is constructed and

complete equipment is installed. Table8 shows Specifications of biomass and

biogas projects of Iran's Ministry of Energy. Table9 shows Iran's production

capacity and domestic Consumption rate of electricity from biogas power plants.

31

7. Fuel cell and hydrogen

Limitation of fossil fuel sources, their negative environmental effects, use of

hydrocarbon resources, inflation in fossil fuel prices,

Table 10, Different potentially geothermal regions investigated north and north-west Iran

Table 11. Specification of geothermal energy projects of Ministry Energy of Iran

32

Fig. 12. Share of potential energy of biomass waste in Iran [28].

Political disputes and their impacts on supplying sustainable energy area mongre as

on sinstigating politicians as well as energy and environment experts to move

toward development to fa modern and secure energy supplying structure that is

efficient and environment friendly. In such a system, hydrogen can be one of the

best options to play the role of energy carrier. Hydrogen—the most abundant

element available on Earth surface could be produced by various methods. It is

estimated that 90%of the visible universe is composed of hydrogen [29].

In an ideal hydrogen-based energy system, hydrogen is produced from the

generated electricity of renewable (i.e. wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) resources.

After storage and transfer to consumption places, hydrogen will have diverse

applications in areas like microelectronic equipment (mill watts), transportation

and power plant industries. According to this approach, many believe that the

ultimate fuel for human will be hydrogen and that the human being will experience

the hydrogen era in the near future. Abundance, almost unique consumption,

negligible pollutants diffusion, reversibility of its production cycle as well as

reduction of greenhouse effects can be pointed out as features distinguishing

hydrogen from other available fuel options. Hydrogen energy systems are

permanent, sustainable, non-perishable, pervasive and renewable, since they are

independent from primary energy resources. It is predicted that its production and

consumption as an energy carrier will spread all over the world in near future and

accordingly hydrogen economy will be stabilized. Nevertheless, it is axiomatic that

33

hydrogen cannot compete, at the moment, with other energy carriers in terms of

price. Hydrogen and fuel cell scan have a central controlling role in urban pollution

in the future.

Transformation of available chemical energy in hydrogen to electrical energy is

performed by fuel cell. Based on their application and structural features, fuel cells

are divided into several types. The importance of fuel cell technology in a

hydrogen-based energy system (hydrogen era) is such that many have equated it to

the steam engine era development for trains. In addition to fuel cell technology, as

consumer of hydrogen in the Hydrogen era, hydrogen production, storage, supply

and transfer Technologies will also be among the main components of this era's

energy structure. Hydrogen is a harmless fuel, which can be produced from crude

oil in refineries and is the cheapest fuel in Iran [30]. Given the special status of fuel

cell systems, as a leading Technology in the realization of the hydrogen era, some

studies have already been made by Iran's Renewable Energy Organization, as are

presentative of the Ministry of Energy, with cooperation of the Ministry of

Science, Research and Technology, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Petroleum,

Ministry of Industries and Mines, Presidential Technology Cooperation Office and

other stakeholders. Such studies have led to the development of “National Strategy

Document of Fuel Cell Technology Development that outlines the activities and

goals 20-year Development Vision of the country. The Document was approved by

assembly on July2004 [31]. Table10 Shows Iran's fuel cell and hydrogen projects

specification.

Renewable Energy Organization of Iran carried out a study with focus on

"potential biomass survey" which in first stage the extend of potential of different

sources of biomass are as below:

34

Table 12.

8. Non-governmental renewable power plant projects

Due to the necessity of renewable energy application, in Iran, and the requirement

to fulfill Article44 of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Constitution, Iran's Renewable

Energy Organization has set participation and investment by non-governmental

sectors as one of its major missions. Private sectors have already signed contracts

to build more than 600MWof biomass systems and 500MWof new wind energy

developments. Table11 represent s the specifications of non-governmental

renewable power plant projects in2010.Based on the reports by Iran's Renewable

Energy organization, private sector has already submitted a proposal to generate

3000MW of electricity.

35

9. Conclusion and recommendations

The development trends in Iran show that in 20 years, renewable Energies will

supply 5% of Iran's demand for electricity energy. To

Table 13

Table14. Iran s production capacity and domestic consumption of electricity from biogas power plant

36

Table15. Specification of Full cell and Hydrogen projects of Ministry energy of Iran [6,11].

(1) Production, condensation, storage and supply of hydrogen and photovoltaic system.

(2) This committee has conducted follow-up of ratification of the national strategy document toffuel cell technology

and activities related to the secretariat and also updating the website and printing bulletins ,in 2005 ,2006 and 2007.

(3) Theformulatedoperationalschedulewillbeperformedina15-year period(three five-year schedules)since the time of

document ratification.

(4) The activities related to fuel cell strategic committee are unceasing.

(5) Production, condensation, storage and supply of hydrogen.

(6) Condensation project is stopped due to untimely and insufficient allocation of budget. M. Bahrami, P.

Abbaszadeh /Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 24(2013)198–208 206

37

Table 16

Attain this objective, governmental approvals regarding the development of new

energies should be noted and performed. Accordingly, the following operational

steps are recommended to move toward sustainable future and away from

environmental issues:

(1) Attention to cultural and educational issues related to macro energy planning

for community awareness about environmental issues.

(2) The necessity to use renewable energy to achieve a clean and sustainable

society.

(3)The share of new energies should be determined in the country’s Energy basket,

and plans should be devised for its realization.

(4)Required resources to purchase electricity generated from Renewable energies

should be appropriately realized. For this purpose, the following options should

specifically be considered:

38

(a) Allocation of a part of public resources in the annual budget to guarantee

purchase of electricity generated from renewable energy resources.

(b) Determination of a percentage of the consumed electricity of subscribers

(e.g.1%) and calculation of its price and its inclusion in the subscriber's bill using

guaranteed prices of renewable energies.

(c) Formulation of green electricity tariff and calculation of the electricity price of

all governmental institutions, using this tariff and advertising its optional

acceptance by environment supporter sub scribers, with the support of

Environment supporter NGOs, depositing of the resources resulting from high

consumptions directly to an account for renewable energy development.

5. Allocation of a part of construction expenditure of renewable energy power

plants from the government's gratuitous assistance and allocation of a certain share

to investigate reduction rate of construction expenditures of these power plants.

According to the maps of distribution of different kinds of renewable energies in

Iran , this research suggest that for the Arasbaran Biosphere reserve in north west

of Iran, most suitable kinds of renewables are wind and Geothermal.

Below come pictures of the study area and interviews with rural people who residing in or around

Arasbaran biosphere reserve

39

Preparing for interview with local people

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

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