### Project “Agriculture 2.0”: Revolutionizing Agriculture in North Africa
The “Agriculture 2.0” project, part of the “INNO ESPA MAROC ENERGY” initiative, aims to revolutionize agriculture in North Africa through advanced technologies. This project brings together Moroccan and Spanish partners such as the Solar Energy and New Energies Research Institute (IRESEN), the Green Energy Park (GEP), the Moroccan Foundation for Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), the Agricultural Domains of Morocco, as well as the Technological Institute of Canarias (ITC) and Elittoral of Spain.
The main objectives include:
– Developing a sustainable business model offering innovative services to farmers.
– Using hyperspectral images for solar-powered irrigation solutions.
– Creating software to optimize the use of water and renewable energies.
– Integrating equipment such as solar inverters and specialized instruments.
– Designing sizing and simulation tools for intelligent solar water management, tailored to Moroccan agriculture.
### Water Management in Morocco: A Major Challenge
Water management is crucial given its scarcity, especially in the agricultural sector, which is a major consumer of this resource. The “Agriculture 2.0” project addresses this issue by implementing advanced irrigation systems powered by green energy, thus allowing for optimal water use.
### Contribution of IRESEN and the Green Energy Park (GEP)
IRESEN and GEP focus on the sustainable use of renewable energies for agricultural irrigation. A notable advancement is the off-grid water pumping system, which operates autonomously without a connection to the national electrical grid, using exclusively solar energy to power the pumps.
This system includes:
– 13.92 kWc of solar panels.
– 20.16 kWh of energy storage via batteries.
– An annual production of 17,172 kWh, equivalent to 12.4 tons of CO2 avoided (or 518 trees planted).
Since April 2024, this system has been fully operational on green energy, marking a significant advancement towards sustainable agricultural practices.
### A Model of International Collaboration
The “Agriculture 2.0” project demonstrates the success of collaboration between Moroccan and Spanish partners to enhance agricultural technologies. It not only benefits the local agricultural sector but also serves as a model for similar initiatives in other regions, promoting sustainable and innovative agricultural practices.