Replacing natural gas with solar and wind energy to supply the thermal demand of buildings in Iran: A simulation approach

Abstract Currently, 89% of thermal demand in the building section of Iran is supplied by natural gas. Although Iran has appropriate natural gas reservoirs, it can be used more in the current industrial infrastructure if renewable resources supply buildings' thermal demand. This research aimed to find a reliable solution to replace natural gas with solar or wind energy on a national scale using a simulation approach. Different scenarios were discussed for this research by considering the amounts of CO2 emission and total energy cost. The results showed all procedures led to CO2 emission reduction due to reducing natural gas consumption. Moreover, using heat pumps with generated electricity from solar or wind resources increased the average total cost of about 127% and 326%, respectively. Therefore, introducing heat pumps with renewable electricity was not economical for supplying buildings' thermal needs in Iran. Based on the results, using solar thermal collectors decreased the average total cost by about 13%. In conclusion, considering the current national natural gas distribution network in Iran, using solar thermal collectors was the best alternative solution.