Design for Optimum Utilization of Integrated Energy Systems with Application to Rural Areas

his study uses multi objec- tive linear programming
(MOLP) as an optimization
modeling tool to allocate various types of energy sources
in rural areas. In Iran, about
99% of rural areas have access
to grid connected electricity
but access to thermal energy
supply for heating and cooking is very difficult especially
in impassable areas. So, the
use of local renewable energy
sources can be a suitable option
for energy production in comparison with other sources of
energy. This model can provide an Integrated Rural
Energy Management System (IREMS) based on energy availability and demand with a minimum cost system and
environmental protection configuration. Energy demand is divided in two categories; electrical and Thermal.Electricity can be provided by a combination
of wind, solar, small hydro power and electrical grid. Heat
can be provided by oil, natural gas, gasoil, biogas, biomass,
solar and geothermal district heating system. Six criterions were considered for determination of each energy sources
in rural areas. These criterions
can affect the selection of
renewable and non-renewable
energy sources. Easy access
and very low emissions of
green house gases are considered as main reasons for
selecting renewable energies.
The low price for providing
energy and the easy to work
nature of these equipments
for the villagers are considered as existing priorities for
selecting the fossil and wood
fuels in rural areas. The
model, as a case study, was
applied for the village of
kokhmamo on the Kordestan
province located on the western part of Iran. The results
were compared to a similar
situation in a village in India
and a good agreement was
found between these two studies.