Context of the project
In 2012, BELECTRIC France (photovoltaic energy production and storage) and FIRMUS France (membrane water treatment) collaborated to set up a photovoltaic membrane water treatment plant. Monaco-based COMODOS was also called in to develop wind turbines.
These companies benefited from the SIMEV network, which offered to set up the plant in Morocco, in partnership with Ibn Tofail University. The plant was installed at Al Anouar high school in Sidi Taïbi to supply drinking water and part of the school’s electricity needs.
This will therefore allow access to a water supply outside daylight hours. The surplus electricity not used by the water treatment process will be made available to the school, making it the first energy-independent high school.
In addition to its social aspects, this autonomous unit, which was set up in March 2014, provides a research and training platform for local teachers and students. The SIMEV continues to monitor this project, along with the INOV’EAU network of technology platforms.
Technical details
Water Treatment
Water at the high school: Nitrate-rich and relatively brackish
Treatment technology: Nanofiltration and possibly reverse osmosis and electrodialysis in the future.
Disinfection technology: Electrochemical disinfection.
Capacity: 2000 pupils at a rate of 3 litres/day/ student (12 m3/day).
The project will benefit the population of the neighboring douar at weekends and during school vacations. Photovoltaic electricity.
Photovoltaic electricity production and storatge
panels: 158 thin-film photovoltaic panels, each rated at 145 Wp (96 panels) and 150 Wp (62 panels). These panels are particularly well suited for poor light conditions (cloudy weather) and heavy soiling.
Installed power: 24.3 kWp
Produced power: around 50 MWh/year, with a performance index of 85%
Batteries technology: Lead gel (OPzV). 24 cells with 2V each. 4000 cycles life. The energy stored is 40kWh.
Characteristics of the plant inverters : capable of coupling solar and wind energy with the energy stored in the batteries, converting alternating current into direct current and vice versa, distributing energy according to demand and production.
Wind energy production
Technology: UrWind2.2 vertical-axis wind turbine with a highly efficient Darrieus and Savonius design.
Installed power: 2.2 kW and produces 2,000 to 4,000 kWh/year.
In 2023, the Sidi Taibi plant supplied drinking water to around 4,000 students instead of the 2,000 anticipated when the project was launched, with a daily supply of 3 L/student/day and relatively low energy consumption of around 0.2 kWh/m3. The plant water treatment technology has always produced water free of viruses and bacteria and with no mineral salts (particularly nitrates) exceeding the standards.