• Energy Research

Algeria is a wealthy country with natural resources, namely, nuclear, renewable, and non-renewable sources. The non-renewable energy sources are considered the lion’s share for energy production (98%). Algeria’s efforts to ensure and strengthen its energy security will take an important step in the coming decades by commissioning new energy infrastructure based on intensive use of water, coal, nuclear, non-renewable, and renewable sources. The implementation of new power infrastructure is expected to be operational from 2030. The renewable power realization in Algeria is relatively less compared to other African countries, i.e., Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, etc. The total renewable power installed capacity in Algeria reached 686 MW in 2020, as part of its national energy portfolio, although the Algerian government has spent tremendous efforts on introducing new sustainable technologies to enable the transition towards a cleaner and sustainable energy system. Indeed, the country announced its plan to install around 22 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. It will include 1 GW bio-power from the waste, 13.5 GW from solar PV, 2 GW from CSP, 15 MW from geothermal, 400 MW cogeneration, and, finally, 5 GW from wind. The scope of the present research provides general information about the usage of energy resources such as fossil, nuclear, and renewable sources in Algeria and also covers the energy supply outlook. The present effort is the first of its kind which discusses the application of the coal and nuclear as clean energy sources as part of renewable energy transition. Additionally, it also includes the description of the existing Algerian energy sector and information about water and water desalination and their usage in other sectors.

Abstract A mathematical simulation model was developed that can determine the three-dimensional wind velocity field over a complex terrain. The Tenes area in the Valley of Cheliff in Algeria was used as a case study. This region is exposed to south-west circulation that makes it favorable to the use of wind energy. Knowledge of wind fields is crucial for predicting the dispersion of pollutants, for forecasting meteorological weather, for fire spread prediction and in the design and implementation of wind turbines. By means of a mass consistent model, an in-house program was developed to calculate the three-dimensional wind velocity field in the study region. The model was supported by a numerical box in which flow through is allowed for in the upper and lateral boundaries. The bottom boundary through which no flow through occurs was determined by the topographic relief at the surface. From measured wind velocities, observed values were calculated by interpolation–extrapolation. Using an optimization method, the adjusted velocities were obtained from constraints, observed velocities and the continuity equation. The model was verified with wind point data, the relative error did not exceed 6%.

AbstractWind resources present a promising option to be integrated with the conventional energy sources to match the increased demand of electricity. This paper aims to investigate the possibility to set up a wind farm of 10 MW in Adrar, a region located in the south of the country. Using the wasp software, the wind resources of the zone of interest was performed, it indicates that wind speed reach 8.44 m/s at a height of 80 meters. Then, two sites Kaberten(75 north of Adrar) and Zaouia (80 Km south of Adrar) were selected. The wind farm study show that Aouia present the better performance, it can be expected to achieve from this site a production of 40 GW and a full load hours about 4044h.

Abstract Using solar energy for cooling purposes is an attractive idea with good prospects for conventional air conditioning systems. The replacement of compressor cooling systems by solar driven desiccant cooling systems could make an important contribution to environmental protection. The main argument for the applicability of solar energy is that cooling loads are approximately in phase with solar availability. The “desiccant cooling” technology is innovative in the field of refreshing atmosphere using state changes of water and operating with solar energy. The present work involves the study of an evaporative cooling system by desiccation coupled with a solar installation, reducing thereby energy consumption and using clean and free energy. The results show that the system can control moisture and therefore provide acceptable comfort conditions, confirming that it is suitable for wet areas such as coastal cities of our country.

For the study of the phenomenon of the Algerian High Plains turning into a desert, two approaches were used. The first consists of the processing of data measured on the level of weather stations located on the soil and the second by the use of a model allowing the interpolation and the extrapolation of data measured at 700 Hpa towards the soil, taking into account the terrain conditions. The two methods showed that the dominant winds are in the northern and western sectors, suggesting that the wind is not the principal factor in the progress of the sand towards north.

Solar energy has a great potential in many areas of industrial activity in Algeria. This is because most of Algeria has high levels of sustainable solar insulation. Unfortunately, few industries use solar energy for hot water generation, but some industrial processes require hot water at temperatures that can be easily obtained from solar thermal panels. This paper presents a case study to investigate the technical and financial feasibility of a solar-powered industrial agro-processing system in Algiers. Based on the solar collectors connection type for which the economic feasibility study was carried out, an appropriate design of the system was determined. The latter was actually done by analyzing the levelized cost of energy savings. The design of the thermo-solar process is carried out based on F-chart method with a new approach by integrating the incidence angle modifier and of using real and experimental data requirements to determine realistic achievable performance of the solar process. The results showed that, in comparison to the currently used electrical system, the electrical energy savings achieved by the solar-powered system make it an economically viable option with a solar coverage rate of 80%. The investment depreciation balance shows that the use of such a thermal solar energy system will be more competitive than fossil fuels system if the price of electricity in the country increases from 0.048 to 0.075 €/kWh.