On Improvements for Sustainable Energy System for Drip Irrigation - Study Case Kenitra Morocco

This paper evaluates the existing system of INRA's citrus plantation outside Kenitra, Morocco, a 4-hectare citrus plantation, the water source comes from two wells via a reservoir and feeds a drip irrigation system. The energy consumption of the system comes from pumping operations and is largely supplied by grid, although there is 11 kW of installed solar power that currently it is only used to feed one of the pumps. To improve the energy efficiency, an enhanced design where the hybrid solar and grid system is connected to all the pumps is analyzed. The energy consumption is based on the irrigation needs and water consumption data so the different supply options can be assessed. The study investigates how the grid energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions vary when different amounts of installed solar power is added to an existing citrus plantation and examines the economic costs of the full hybrid arrangement. The results show that a combination of solar and grid supply can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs and can also provide an energy surplus that can be used for other applications.