Towards a large-scale integration of renewable energies in Morocco

J Energy Storage. 2020 Dec:32:101806. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2020.101806. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Abstract

Renewable energies are a sustainable, unlimited and decarbonised solution to address future energy challenges. In this context, Morocco has a considerable advantage to position itself on this promising market. Furthermore, renewable energies have been highlighted as a key strategic source for the country's green growth. Morocco has adopted the renewable energy path through a strategy targeted on the development of solar, wind and hydroelectric power to boost its energy policy by adapting it to the challenges posed by today's world. Nowadays, Morocco is facing a challenge to reach 52% by 2030 of its total renewable energy capacity, which will exceed 42% by the end of 2020. The main objective of this paper is to study a scenario for 2030 for the Moroccan electricity system and to identify the challenges that need to be addressed in order to accelerate the integration of renewable energies in the Moroccan energy mix and to achieve a possible export of such green energy towards Europe.

Keywords: BWRO, Brackish Water Reverse Osmose; CCGTs, Combined Cycle Gas Turbines; CSP, Concentrated Solar Power; Concentrated solar power; ED, Electro Dialyses; EU, European Union; Energy storage; GHGE, Green House Gas Emissions; IPPs, Independent Power Producer's Electricity.; IRESEN, Institute of Research on solar energy and New Energies; LNG, Liquefied natural gas; MASEN, Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy; MED, Multi-Effect Distillation; MSF, Multi-Stage Flash; MVC, Mechanical Vapor compression; Morocco; ONEE, National Agency for Electricity and Water; PETS, Pumped Energy Transfer Station; PV, Photovoltaic; Power to X; PtH, Power-to-Hydrogen; PtX, Power to X; R&D, Research and Development; RE, Renewable Energy; RES, Renewable energy sources; RETs, Renewable energy technologies; RO, Reverse Osmose; Renewable energy integration; SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals; SET Roadmap, Roadmap for Sustainable Electricity Trade; SG, Smart Grid; SWRO, Sea Water Reverse Osmose; TOE, Tonne Oil Energy; TVC, Thermo-Vapor compression; Thermal energy storage; V2G, Vehicle to Grid; WWTP, Waste Water Treatment Plan.