Techno-Economic Analysis of Combined Production of Wind Energy and Green Hydrogen on the Northern Coast of Mauritania

Varha Maaloum, El Moustapha Bououbeid, Mohamed Mahmoud Ali, Kaan Yetilmezsoy (), Shafiqur Rehman, Christophe Ménézo, Abdel Kader Mahmoud, Shahab Makoui, Mamadou Lamine Samb and Ahmed Mohamed Yahya
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Varha Maaloum: Applied Research Unit for Renewable Energies in Water and Environment (URA3E), University of Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania
El Moustapha Bououbeid: U.F.R. of Sciences and Technologies, University of Thiès, Thies BP 1039, Senegal
Mohamed Mahmoud Ali: Applied Research Unit for Renewable Energies in Water and Environment (URA3E), University of Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania
Kaan Yetilmezsoy: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Davutpasa, Esenler, Istanbul 34220, Turkey
Shafiqur Rehman: Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (IRC-SES), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Christophe Ménézo: Université Savoie Mont Blanc, LOCIE UMR CNRS 5271, National Institute of Solar Energy (INES)—Solar Academy, FédEsol FR3344, F-73376 Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
Abdel Kader Mahmoud: Applied Research Unit for Renewable Energies in Water and Environment (URA3E), University of Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania
Shahab Makoui: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Davutpasa, Esenler, Istanbul 34220, Turkey
Mamadou Lamine Samb: U.F.R. of Sciences and Technologies, University of Thiès, Thies BP 1039, Senegal
Ahmed Mohamed Yahya: Applied Research Unit for Renewable Energies in Water and Environment (URA3E), University of Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-25

Abstract: Green hydrogen is becoming increasingly popular, with academics, institutions, and governments concentrating on its development, efficiency improvement, and cost reduction. The objective of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy is to achieve a 35% proportion of renewable energy in the overall energy composition by the year 2030, followed by a 50% commitment by 2050. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of feed-in tariffs and the integration of independent power generators. The present study focused on the economic feasibility of green hydrogen and its production process utilizing renewable energy resources on the northern coast of Mauritania. The current investigation also explored the wind potential along the northern coast of Mauritania, spanning over 600 km between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Wind data from masts, Lidar stations, and satellites at 10 and 80 m heights from 2022 to 2023 were used to assess wind characteristics and evaluate five turbine types for local conditions. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was carried out at five specific sites, encompassing the measures of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and levelized cost of green hydrogen (LCOGH), as well as sensitivity analysis and economic performance indicators. The results showed an annual average wind speed of 7.6 m/s in Nouakchott to 9.8 m/s in Nouadhibou at 80 m. The GOLDWIND 3.0 MW model showed the highest capacity factor of 50.81% due to its low cut-in speed of 2.5 m/s and its rated wind speed of 10.5 to 11 m/s. The NORDEX 4 MW model forecasted an annual production of 21.97 GWh in Nouadhibou and 19.23 GWh in Boulanoir, with the LCOE ranging from USD 5.69 to 6.51 cents/kWh, below the local electricity tariff, and an LCOGH of USD 1.85 to 2.11 US/kg H 2 . Multiple economic indicators confirmed the feasibility of wind energy and green hydrogen projects in assessed sites. These results boosted the confidence of the techno-economic model, highlighting the resilience of future investments in these sustainable energy infrastructures. Mauritania’s north coast has potential for wind energy, aiding green hydrogen production for energy goals.

Keywords: green hydrogen; levelized cost of electricity; Mauritania; techno-economic feasibility; Weibull distribution; wind energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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