Moroccan scientists have proposed combining hybrid wind and solar plants with pumped hydro storage (PHS) to power remote rural areas, according to PV magazine.
This system, evaluated in the village of Tazarine in eastern Morocco, shows an LCOE of $0.03831/kWh and an 86% use factor.
Researchers from Rabat School of Mines developed the proposal using HOMER software, optimizing the system for both economic and technical efficiency.
The proposed setup aims to utilize seasonal groundwater from a local dam to generate energy, enhancing local energy self-sufficiency and promoting economic progress.
The simulation focused on Tazarine’s energy demand, including 90 small houses, 30 large houses, six mosques, one village office, and two schools, totaling an average demand of 1,050.92 kWh per day.
Solar radiation in the village ranges from 188.67 kWh/m² in November to 228.37 kWh/m² in March. Average annual temperature is 20.82°C, with wind speeds averaging 5.02 m/s.
Four system scenarios were analyzed: 1) PV/Wind/PHS, 2) PV/Wind, 3) PV/PHS, and 4) PV.
The hybrid PV/Wind/PHS system achieved the lowest LCOE at $0.03831/kWh, followed by PV/Wind at $0.058/kWh, PV/PHS at $0.130/kWh, and PV alone at $0.289/kWh.
Scenario 1, with 101 kW PV, four wind turbines, and one PHS unit, also showed the lowest Net Present Cost (NPC) of approximately $262,596.2.
Scenario 2, with 244 kW PV and four wind turbines, had an NPC of $408,232.00.
Scenario 3, featuring 207 kW PV and three PHS units, had an NPC of about $648,911.00, while Scenario 4, with 1,478 kW PV and no storage, had an NPC of $1.47 million.
Operational and maintenance costs varied significantly, with Scenario 1 at $3,064, Scenario 2 at $4,448, Scenario 3 at $18,391, and Scenario 4 at $26,817.
Capital costs were $212,393 for Scenario 1, $329,647 for Scenario 2, $398,361 for Scenario 3, and $1.08 million for Scenario 4.
Scenario 1 demonstrated the highest efficiency with 613,145 kWh/year in energy generation and 67,781 kWh/year in excess production, achieving an 86% efficiency in energy consumption versus production.
In contrast, Scenario 4 showed the highest total energy generation at 2,859,21 kWh/year, but with the highest costs.