Development of the Energy Sustainability Prism Model: A Framework for Integrated Management of the Energy Ecosystem

Energy resources are among the most important factors and elements of sustainable development. Iran, in addition to possessing a wealth of fossil fuel reserves, has significant potential for utilizing renewable energy. However, in the energy sector (electricity, gas, and petroleum products), the country faces imbalances, such as electricity shortages in the summer and gas shortages in the fall and winter. Recently, the situation with gasoline has also shifted from imbalance to deficit. This article aims to provide a comprehensive model for developing an appropriate structure to address these imbalances in Iran's energy ecosystem. The model developed in this study to resolve imbalances consists of four fundamental components: energy governance, supply, demand, and diversification, which are interconnected like the facets of a prism. It is worth noting that the base of this prism, which consolidates and integrates the components, is essentially the energy governance section, which is the most critical part. The integrated approach in this model harmonizes the policymaking structure, regulation, and the coordination of relationships among various sectors to address the dimensions involved in Iran's energy imbalances.