Abstract
In 1973 and again in 1979 oil prices increased dramatically forcing many developed and developing nations to begin programmes of energy conservation in different areas of industry. I.R Iran as an oil producing and exporting country never felt the full effect of these global oil shortages. Therefore, it was one of the few countries in the world not to invest much time or money in the study of energy conservation. Recent studies have shown that in less than two decades domestic oil consumption and Iranian oil production will balance. When this happens Iran will lose its revenue from oil exports, upon which it is dependent for foreign currency, and may even have to begin to import energy. Therefore, Iran is not only behind most countries in the investigation of energy conservation technology but is facing severe shortages. This thesis studies Iran's energy production, consumption, and outlines the possibilities for energy conservation in Iran. Chapters 1 through 4 of this work introduce Iran, its geography and location and also provide a synopsis of its current energy situation. Chapter 2 explains Iran's energy balance, outlining the production and consumption of the different fuels used in Iran. Chapter 3 looks at energy demand forecasts as well as price and income elasticities. It is this chapter that highlights Iran's impending energy crisis. Chapter 4 discusses the general energy efficiency potential and obstacles to that energy efficiency in Iran. This chapter touches on the subjects of fuel prices and the institutions set up to control energy. Chapter 5 looks at energy conservation in Industry. It is divided into two main parts; first, a general look at industrial energy conservation techniques and practices in developed and developing nations; second, a specific look at energy conservation in Iranian industry. The latter section is itself divided into three parts; one, an energy audit of the National Industries Organization; two, energy conservation in the cement industry with a specific case study done at the Tehran cement factory; and, three, a general look at energy conservation in the glass industry, with a specific case study done at the Ghazvin Glass Company. Chapter 6 examines energy conservation in Transportation. It opens with a general overview of technical and managerial aspects of energy conservation in transportation in general around the world. Next, it discusses potential for energy conservation related to transportation in Iran. Chapter 7 discusses energy conservation in Mining. There has been very little work done on this subject, especially when compared to the information available on energy conservation in transportation and industry. Therefore, a special study was carried out in this field. This study identified a number of possible areas of energy conservation in mining. A separate section of Chapter 7 describes the Iranian mining sector and notes that its growth will necessitate quite a lot of work on energy conservation in that sector. Chapters 8 and 9 examine Employment and the Environmental aspects of energy conservation. First the subjects are examined in a general way and then they are discussed specifically for the case of Iran. Chapter 10 contains the conclusion and recommendations for every chapter of this work. The study of energy production and use in Iran which is described and discussed in this thesis is related to recommended actions for the future. It is shown that energy conservation can play an important role in the Iranian economy. Not only can it have positive environmental and employment effects, but it can delay the time when Iran ceases to be a net exporter of oil.