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This paper investigates the thermodynamic and thermo-economic performances of a solar/biomass plant producing the electricity, freshwater, and domestic hot water (DHW) requirements for a 40 households' community. The considered community is located in a semi-arid region (Benguerir, Morocco) characterized by a good solar potential (DNI of 2239 kWh/m2/y) and by the presence of brackish groundwater. Compound parabolic collectors and boilers using olive waste residues as feedstock are sequentially combined to drive a 46 kW Organic Rankine Cycle and a reverse osmosis (RO) unit. According to the results, the proposed system is able to meet the community's requirements with an annual biomass consumption of 235 T and a solar share of 11.42%. Results also showed that the monthly plant's overall energy efficiency is in a range between 11.35 and 16.32%, while its corresponding exergy efficiency is between 5.33 and 5.96%. Besides, the achieved electricity, freshwater and, DHW specific costs (respectively 0.231 €/kWh, 0.86 €/m3 and 0.047 €/kWh) can be considered as competitive in the off-grid context. Finally, the impact of solar field aperture, biomass price, and plant's components investment costs on the plant's economic viability are investigated through parametric and sensitivity analysis. • Compound parabolic collectors are complemented by biomass to drive ORC and RO units. • The system is assessed for the case of a rural community in a semi-arid region. • Ambient temperature variation is significantly impacting the plant's performances. • Parametric analysis suggests that solar field area increase is not economically viable. • Products costs are mainly impacted by biomass, ORC, boilers and RO unit costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper evaluates domestic energy consumption patterns in a hot and arid climate, using a multiple case study approach localised in Riyadh city (Saudi Arabia). Riyadh has a characteristically hot and dry climate, and is situated in a geographical region known for its high energy consumption and carbon emission rates. Six properties were selected: three typical houses and three typical flats. The objective is to analyse the average domestic energy consumption of each property using data collected from monthly electricity bills; this usage is then assessed with reference to user behaviour, as captured through interviews with the occupiers of the properties, so as to assist in creating a detailed energy use simulation model using IES-VE software. The results are discussed with reference to both the form and fabric of the selected properties and user behaviour, thereby identifying obvious design weaknesses, which then serve to highlight regionally replicable energy retrofitting solutions (i.e. shading devices, onsite renewable energy sources, and more efficient glazing). To explore these various solutions further, additional IES-VE simulations are conducted that suggest potential energy consumption reductions in the range of 15%–34%. In light of these findings, recommendations that have the potential to be replicable across the region are given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recently, solar PV technologies witnessed a commercial vigor due to their tremendously decreasing prices. However, these technologies are vulnerable to dust and temperature which can significantly degrade their efficiency. Taking into account, the effect of dust and temperature during the site assessment for large PV power plant will reduce their vulnerability and optimize their operation efficiency. Most of the site assessment for large PV power plants does not take into consideration spatio-temporal variability of dust and temperature effects due to their measurement complexity. This paper presents an original approach of integration of the effects of temperature and dust in siting large PV power plant using Fuzzy logic and GIS-based spatial multi-criteria evaluation. Dynamical downscaling approach of the high resolution COSMO Numerical Weather Prediction model is used to simulate the annual pattern of temperature and the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) derived from Multi-angle Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (MISR) is used to retrieve the contamination degree of the air with mineral aerosol. Land suitability analysis for large PV farms implementation is carried out for the case study of Oman. Compared to previous results obtained without temperature and AOD, the new results show that several areas are declassified because of their exposure to high temperature and dust risks. It is noticed that the highly suitable land areas decreased significantly by 81% after considering the temperature and dust constraint layers. Different PV technologies are considered and it is found that the Concentrated Photovoltaics (CPV) technology provides higher potential for implementing large solar plants. In fact, if all highly suitable land is exploited for CPV farms, it can supply more than 750 times the current total power supply in Oman estimated at 16.1 TWh in 2010. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]