Integrated Modeling of Renewable Energy Systems for power supply optimization and Economic Sustainability

Ebrahimi Zaker, Shayesteh; Saifoddin, Amirali; Zahedi, Amin; Abdoos, Mahmood; Noorollahi, Younes

doi:10.22109/jemt.2026.563949.1581

Integrated Modeling of Renewable Energy Systems for power supply optimization and Economic Sustainability

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Shayesteh Ebrahimi Zaker ¹

Amirali Saifoddin ²

Amin Zahedi ¹

mahmood abdoos ¹

Younes Noorollahi ¹

¹ School of Energy Engineering and Sustainable Resources, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² School of Energy Engineering and Sustainable Resources, Head of Soft Technologies Institute, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22109/jemt.2026.563949.1581

Abstract

This study examines the integration of renewable energy into Iran's electricity grid to meet growing demand while reducing the environmental burden of fossil fuel generation. A Unit Commitment (UC) model is used to simulate power generation schedules and to calculate the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for each generation technology. In the baseline case, combined cycle, gas, and steam power plants supplied about 91% of Iran's electricity demand, while wind and solar power together contributed less than 0.2%, highlighting the limited role of renewables in the current generation mix. Three scenarios were evaluated: redistribution of 10% of non-renewable capacity to wind and solar, raising the renewable share to 16.11%; meeting a 10% increase in demand through renewable expansion, yielding a combined wind and solar share of 14.9%; and increasing solar and wind capacity to 10 GW each, achieving a total renewable share of 23.52%. The results indicate that an optimal energy mix drawing on Iran's abundant solar and wind resources could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, strengthen grid resilience, and support a more economical and sustainable power system.

Keywords

Energy Economics

Energy Modeling

Renewable Energy

Unit Commitment

Subjects