Potential, Current Status, and Applications of Renewable Energy in Energy Sector of Iran: A Review

During the last decade, serious issues such as energy demand, depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental impacts draw attention towards renewable energy sources. In addition, the energy supply chain of Iran is deeply reliant upon fossil fuels. Further obstacles such as electricity blackouts in the hot season and future energy security require us to address these issues. For this reason, the growing consensus is to dominate a sustainable energy system on the grounds of energy, especially renewable energies, with low emission and pollution. The mean annual solar radiation in Iran is 2200 kWh/m2 which is greater than the worldwide average, due to locating on the world's Sun Belt. The total installed capacity of solar energy in Iran is not significant, however, it is growing annually. .Moreover, the Persian Gulf coasts, could provide the possibility of using the tidal energy of the ocean as well as the Caspian Sea coast which are suitable sites for thermal energy. Currently, 550 MW of renewable energy is being built in Iran and the installed capacity of renewable energy has reached 575 MW. Renewable energy has also led to the employment of 47,321 people directly and indirectly in the country. The installed capacity of Iran’s wind power is about 259 MW (45% of total renewable energies installed capacity), which is mostly located in Manjil and Roodbar. The biogas energy in Iran is mainly produced from domestic and industrial sewage/waste, animal waste, and agricultural product waste.