Sustainable multi-period electricity planning for Iskandar Malaysia

This paper presents the current situation and projected planning of the electricity generation sector for Iskandar Malaysia by implementing a model to optimise the cost, utilise the usage of available renewable energy sources, and achieve carbon dioxide reduction targets. This Mixed Integer Linear Programming model was developed with the main objective of minimising the total cost of electricity generation, taking into consideration energy demand, reserve margin, electricity generation, peak and base generation, resource availability, and CO2 emission. Data for the year 2013 were forecasted until 2025 to illustrate the analysis for this study, and are represented via four scenarios. This optimal model is capable of balancing types of fuel and switching coal plants to natural gas power plants. It also enhances the use of renewable energy (RE) to meet CO2 emission targets. The model is further integrated with several other considerations related to energy systems, such as suitability of power plants as peak or base plants, RE resource availability, intermittency of solar power, losses during transmission, fuel selection for biomass, decision to retrofit existing coal power plant to NG power plant, and construction lead time of power plants. The results for this study determined that the optimal scenario is Scenario 3 (CS3). This research proves that Iskandar Malaysia can reduce CO2 emission by 2025 via utilisation of RE. This model is generic and can be applied to any case study, which would be useful for assisting government policy-making.