An application of imperialist competitive algorithm to simulation of energy demand based on economic indicators: Evidence from Iran.

This paper deals with simulation of energy demand based on economic indicators in Iran. Applying an Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) approach, the paper develops two forms of non-linear energy demand to simulate energy demand based on the past data. It also develops an Imperialist Competitive Algorithm Energy Demand Simulation (ICAEDS) model using the data on population, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and export of goods and services. The parameter values of the model are optimized using the available data. The functional forms of the model proposed in this paper are of exponential and quadratic types. The quadratic form of the ICAEDS model provided a better-fit solution due to the data that exhibit wide fluctuations. The ICAEDS model projects the energy demand in Iran until 2017.