Technical feasibility of a sustainable Concentrated Solar Power in Morocco through an energy analysis

Morocco imports about 96% of its required energy needs. Solar energy, as one of the most abundant and valuable renewable energy alternatives in the country, offers interesting opportunities for Morocco. In order to minimize its strong foreign energy dependence, Morocco hosts actually the largest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) using parabolic trough collectors (PTC) as a technology for converting solar irradiation into thermal energy for electricity generation. The purpose of this paper is to assess the thermal performance of this technology and the potential projects concerned by Moroccan Solar Plan. A physical model is developed to determine flow parameters and heat transfer applied to PTC technology. Annual simulations in six climatic regions in Morocco were carried out. Several suggestions were drawn with regards to the design and parametric studies effectuated under Ouarzazate CSP project. It is found that the location and the climate are determinant parameters on the global performance of the parabolic trough solar collectors.