Journal of Energy Markets Research

Planning the power generation units is the main aim for operators of the Iranian electricity industry to access an applicable production setup for the grid units with the minimum possible cost and take into account the security constraints of the system. Whereas in most cases, internal and external limitations prevent accepting power from more economical power plant units. Identifying the impact of constraints is a possibility for the producers. This is based on the comparison of four different mechanisms in the current method used in Iran's electricity market. In this study, while introducing the used method in Iran's electricity market, an optimization-based model was provided to identify the share of internal and external constraints in the accepted power of power plants. The proposed method was implemented with high accuracy.
The model was implemented on a 3-bus sample power system and an IEE 118-bus system. The findings showed the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method.
 

In line with the restructuring of Iran's electricity industry, the issue of direct supply of electricity by power plants to final consumers was raised years ago. According to the platforms created by the Ministry of Energy, all industrial subscribers with a power of more than five megawatts can supply all or part of their energy needs through the energy exchange or concluding bilateral contracts with power plants. In this area, one of the main challenges faced by the electricity supplier is to offer the right price in terms of production costs and other sales opportunities. For this purpose, in this article, a model is proposed to determine the lower limits of the proposed price in the energy exchange or in the form of bilateral contracts. According to the analysis of the costs and sales opportunities faced by the electricity supplier, two quantities of the discounted average variable cost of the power plant and the discounted rate of the sales opportunity in the day market are introduced and modeled as the lower limits of the proposed price in this article. The results obtained from the implementation of the proposed model have well shown the importance of identifying and modeling the key elements considered to determine the lower limits of the proposed sale price in the energy exchange or bilateral sales, and also the analysis carried out in this article, the possibility of facilitating the decision ¬¬ It provides management levels.

The importance of electrical energy and its increasing use on the one hand and the existence of limited primary resources in its production on the other hand, have made planning for the optimal use of electricity networks and power plant production management very important. One of the important parameters in planning the production of power plant units is knowing the production capacity of these units and predicting the current capacity of the power plants so that the entry and exit of the units and how to operate them can be managed based on that. This research has considered the gas power plants that are widely used in the country and are installed and operated in large numbers and has presented a model to predict their momentary base load. In the following, the optimization method based on the genetic algorithm was used to determine the parameters of this model and its ability to predict the instantaneous capacity of Soltanieh Zanjan power plant units was evaluated. The obtained results and its comparison with the previous methods show the high capability and appropriate accuracy of the stated method in predicting the instantaneous base load of gas power plants.

In this research, first, modeling and analysis of energy and exergy for all components of the combined cycle of Montazer Ghaem power plant in the design conditions have been carried out, and then the effect of the use of the windbreak wall on the performance of the cooling tower and the power of the combined cycle has been investigated. According to the results From the exergy analysis, the most exergy destruction is in the combustion chamber and then in the recovery boiler. The results show an increase in the power of the combined cycle due to the use of windbreak walls. In the end, an economic analysis was done for the plan of using windbreak walls in three cases of using windbreak walls for one tower, for two towers and for three towers for a period of 25 years. In all three plans, the amount of net present value is positive and the internal interest rate is above 90% and the investment return time is between 14 and 16 months.

Due to the ever-increasing expansion of electricity financial markets, electric energy producers need to use new pricing methods to cover their maximum risk in different markets. Due to the simultaneous presence of these producers in the physical and financial markets of electricity, it is necessary for the pricing method of their financial contracts to cover the combined risks of producers in both markets. In this article, a new method for pricing put option contracts is presented based on the equilibrium conditions of the day-ahead market and the option market. Based on the presented method, an option execution area is introduced, which represents a part of the option price-execution price page where financial market players are eager to conclude option contracts. The results of the simulation performed on a sample power system show the capabilities of the presented pricing method and the degree of mutual influence of sales option contracts and the day-ahead market of electric energy.

If we categorize the electricity industry functionally into three areas of production, distribution and transmission, the transmission area, due to the nature of the natural monopoly and the high fixed cost that requires to set up, it is still priced on a mandatory and non-market basis. Therefore, the challenge of fair pricing, while estimating all current and future costs, is one of the questions of policy makers and decision makers in this field. In this research, first, different methods of pricing electricity transmission services are introduced and then the shortcomings of them by considering the structure of the Iranian electricity market are expressed. Then, using the electricity data of Khorasan regions, the proposed method for pricing electricity transmission services is explained.
 

One of the most important aspects of the economic transition from a centralized economy to a market economy is privatization, which is to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, and, in its full sense, productivity. Theoretical discussions and empirical evidence indicate that in the absence of government intervention, businesses can operate efficiently and increase productivity by applying incentive and regulatory mechanisms. This study examined the models used in the performance evaluation process of privatized companies in all countries that had recently implemented privatization programs. Next, a comprehensive and optimal model has been developed to assess the performance of companies involved in the process of restructuring or privatization of power generator companies (power plants) active in the power industry in Iran. This model, which is based on modern performance evaluation models, aims to examine the effects of the implementation of policies pertaining to privatization in Article 44 of the Iranian constitution and privatization in the electricity industry over a three-year period before and after the restructuring. We used the Wilcoxon nonparametric test to evaluate firms operating in the power-generating sector of the Iranian power industry. The results showed that the post-privatization mean rank of the indicators developed for this model was less than or equal to the pre-privatization mean rank. The mean rank for the indicators developed for the performance evaluation model in the period after the privatization of the companies with the assumption of ensuring the interests of the government in Iran's electricity industry is more than the mean rank before the privatization. Similarly, the results were the same for other indicators developed to test the assumption of ensuring the interests of customers and society. On the other hand, the mean rank for the indicators developed for the performance evaluation model in the period after the privatization with the assumption of ensuring the interests of private or non-governmental investors in Iran's electricity industry is less or equal to the mean rank before the privatization.
 

Nano technology can be used to improve, optimize, reduce losses and increase efficiency in various industries, including the manufacture of tools and power plant equipment. Among the important applications of nanotechnology in thermal power plants, we can mention the three areas of nanocoatings, nanoadditives and nanostructured parts. In a division, power plant turbines include gas and steam turbines, which have three sections: compressor blades, gas and steam turbine blades. This article explains the application of nanotechnology in the construction of turbine blades of thermal power plants.

In the past and in the traditional investigation of systems with several energy carriers, the connection between different energy carriers was generally not considered. As a result, the investigated problem will never be optimized correctly and completely. With the emergence of the concept and structure of the energy hub, the idea of ​​an integrated view and optimization of these systems was born. Considering all the energy carriers at the same time made the optimization problems for all the investigated time frames to be defined and solved in a more logical way. This study is focused on investigating the optimal use of Energy Hub with the aim of minimizing the cost, which are involved in the solution of the limitations affected by the system and equipment. In order to simulate the problem, the gray wolf optimization algorithm has been used in MATLAB software platform. As a system test, an energy hub with three energy carriers at the entrance of the hub and three times at the exit of the sepehr was presented for a 24-hour time period, and the results obtained in three different modes according to the use or non-use of the concept of the energy hub, as well as whether or not to use it The use of storage devices has been investigated.

According to the current laws and related to Iran's electricity market, power plant units should pay costs according to the fuel consumed for energy production. On the other hand, by default, the fuel needed by power plants is considered gas, although the consumption of diesel and fuel oil is unavoidable at some times. In this regard, in order to create transparency and uniformity in the way of issuing power plant fuel invoices and its financial effects, the upstream laws have been simulated and implemented in the Iranian Electricity Network Management Company, which are mentioned in this article. In order to present the results, the values ​​obtained from the implementation and enforcement of the laws in the bills of power plants participating in the Iranian electricity market in a time horizon from 2012 to 2019 have been presented.

Restructuring in the electricity industry has caused productivity and increased activity of producers and consumers in order to produce and consume optimally in the power system. According to the structure of the electricity market and various issues and complications, consumers will not be able to participate directly in the electricity market. Therefore, electric energy retailers are intermediaries between consumers and producers in order to participate in the activities of the electricity market, therefore, from one point of view, the retailer must provide his own interests, and from another point of view, it is necessary to provide the common interests under his control. Based on this, the issues that the retailer faces are numerous and they should consider all these issues in their decisions and planning. This article is based on risk modeling and considering consumer issues including price changes and power changes during peak hours and Non-Peak has tried to simultaneously investigate the issues related to the retailer and the consumer with the aim of reducing the peak load of the network. The results of the proposed model indicate the maximization of the retailer's profit along with optimal risk management in order to participate in electricity market contracts. Also, in the proposed study, appropriate mathematical modeling has been done for load response, which will eventually minimize the peak load of the network. The final mixed integer linear programming model is optimized after running in GAMS software by MINOS solver and the results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Purpose: The continuous and round-the-clock operation of cryptocurrency mining devices generates a significant amount of heat that requires powerful cooling systems. Therefore, the main problem of mining can be considered as its high electricity consumption and energy usage. Unfortunately, due to the lack of planning by the country's officials, we are facing the problem of electricity shortage, which has been exacerbated by the growing digital currencies. Since decision-making in the real world (including the electricity shortage problem caused by mining) is complex and uncertain due to various influential factors, the aim of this research is to apply a strategic selection approach to decision-making and provide solutions to solve the electricity shortage problem caused by cryptocurrency mining in Iran.
Research Methodology: In this research, the strategic choice approach, which is one of the soft operational research methods, has been used for analysis, structuring, and decision tree development. For this purpose, four methods (styles) of strategic choice approach, which include ten steps, have been implemented. A working group consisting of twelve experts and stakeholders in digital currencies, facilitated by the researchers of this study, has been formed, and specific flowcharts and labels have been used. According to the strategic choice approach method, decision-making areas, decision options, areas of uncertainty, exploratory options, and decision trees have been designed, and finally, a ″commitment package″( ″improvement package″) has been proposed to provide practical solutions.
Findings: This article provides solutions for solving the electricity shortage problem caused by cryptocurrency mining through the strategic choice approach. For this purpose, specific tasks have been assigned to the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Energy and Foreign Affairs, and the government, excluding the mentioned ministries, and some key players in digital currencies, which should be carried out in the present and future.
Originality/Scientific Value: This research aims to structure decision-making regarding the electricity shortage problem caused by cryptocurrency mining in Iran using the strategic choice approach as one of the soft operational research methods and provide practical solutions.
 

Purpose: Dynamism is the fundamental element in all phenomena in the world. Humans perceive phenomena through "systems concepts" and study their dynamic behaviors over time. One practical method of systems concepts is the Strategic Area Assessment used as a tool for local and regional development. This Strategic Area Assessment the potential facilities specific to a local area with the identification of the most probable strategies for innovation. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to investigate the application of the SAA method as a case study for sustainable development of the" Torud" region through the mining industry and digital assets (while addressing the issue of electricity shortage resulting from mining).

Research Methodology: In this study, a strategic assessment approach, which is considered one of the soft operations research methods, was used. Within this approach, a wide range of stakeholders is collected, and based on their knowledge, their readiness to pursue new pathways is strengthened. In this research, the five main stages of the SAA have been implemented as follows: a conference consisting of 54 stakeholders and experts in the mining and digital currency industry in Torud village was formed. Also, "Innovation Compass" was used as the main tool of SAA. After identifying the 9 components and 45 sub-components of SAA, and after conducting key questions in the past and present, the final score of each component and sub-component was obtained. These scores are plotted in a "Spider web diagram" to identify strategic priorities for innovation in the mining and digital currency industry, and in the final stage, the identified priorities are used to draw a forward path.

Findings: With the help of the strategic area assessment tool, not only is the problem of electricity shortage for cryptocurrency miners solved, but also by utilizing the region's potential resources (solar energy), electricity becomes more accessible and cost-effective through solar panels. This approach not only results in cost savings but also generates additional income, fostering the sustainable economic development of this region.

Origin/Scientific Added Value: Strategic area assessment, including methods of systems thinking and soft operations 

research, has been rarely used in Iran, and very limited in research worldwide. Hopefully, this present study will serve as a source for further research, both globally and especially in Iran.

 

Real-world decision makers are faced with different aspects of the world, and each of the types of hard and soft operations research methods have advantages for responding to certain aspects. Based on this, it can be claimed that by using two or more combined methods, more levels and dimensions of a problematic situation can be investigated and the results are definitely more reliable.  The main goal of this research is to solve the problems of electricity shortage caused by cryptocurrency mining in Iran by combining three methods: Strategic choice Approach(SCA), Strategic Option Development and Analysis(SODA), Critical Systems Heuristics(CSH), while examining more detailed levels and dimensions of the problem, solutions or decisions should be adopted to be more reliable and more effective.The combination method is such that SCA is placed as the basis and platform of the research method, In the fourth and eighth steps of sca, soda and csh methods have been used, respectively. The results of this research show wider levels and dimensions of the problems and problems of electricity shortages caused by cryptocurrency mining and lead to the important point that the advantages and benefits of digital currencies should not be ignored due to electricity shortages.