Work

Cleaner energy solutions using wind energy and hydrogen production in agriculture

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • A new energy approach for green and sustainable agriculture, emphasizing renewable energy solutions. • Integration of wind energy in the greenhouse agricultural sector. • Identifying greenhouse surfaces suitable for wind energy integration in a Moroccan region with full agricultural potential. • Investigating the coupling of hydrogen production with the greenhouse power supply process, ensuring energy stability during wind fluctuations. • The results contribute to advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This study evaluates the integration of wind energy into greenhouse agriculture in the Safi region, a major agricultural area in Morocco. As part of cleaner energy systems, five wind turbines were analyzed to determine their performance. After performing a statistical analysis using the Weibull distribution with two parameters, the results showed that the VESTAS V82–0.9/1.65MW – 70 m turbine was the most efficient. It achieved a capacity factor of 41.72 %, an annual energy production of 3 326.17 MWh, and the ability to supply electricity to 6 960 m² of agricultural greenhouses. Environmental benefits include a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Economically, the results vary, with a payback period of <5 years for the VESTAS turbine but a longer period of 10.49 years for the Norwin – 30 m turbine. To address fluctuations in wind energy caused by daily wind speed variations, this innovative study explores combining wind power with hydrogen production. The results indicate that the Safi region has the potential to produce between 25 188.76 kg and 44 875.25 kg of hydrogen annually, depending on the turbine used. Additionally, this approach could reduce annual CO 2 emissions by up to 2 606 609 kg. These findings highlight a promising innovation in cleaner energy systems to enhance agricultural sustainability through renewable energy solutions.

Source: Cleaner Energy Systems

DOI: 10.1016/j.cles.2025.100183

Author: Mohammed Daoudi

Institution: Mohammed V University

Language: English

Topic: Wind Energy Research and Development

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action, Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,270