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• Electricity, the most direct and effective use of RES, is in center of energy transition. • An interdisciplinary procedure suitable for the planning of RES is presented. • Key points and procedures for the assessment of large-scale RES installation is presented. • Simulation on Eygiption case shows the technical and economical viability. Due to the environmental impacts brought by current energy schemes, the energy transition, a new paradigm shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, has been widely accepted and is being realized through collective international, regional, and local efforts. Electricity, as the most direct and effective use of renewable energy sources (RES), plays a key role in the energy transition. In this paper, we first discuss a viable pathway to energy transition through the electricity triangle, highlighting the role of RES in electricity generation. Further, we propose methodologies for the planning of wind and solar PV, as well as how to address their uncertainty in generation expansion problems. Finally, by using a web-based tool, "RES-PLAT" 1 1 https://res-plat.est.polito.it. , we demonstrate the scheme in a case study in Egypt, which evaluates the impacts and benefits of a large-scale RES expansion. 2 2 The short version of the paper was presented at Applied Energy Symposium: MIT A+ B, August 13–14, Boston. This paper is a substantial extension of the short version of the conference paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental challenges in MENA countries deserve more attention as they are pursuing economic growth and expanding urbanization and the geographical position of these countries make them more exposed to the outcomes of climate change. In this context, this paper focuses on the proposed solutions for the climate change problem that are renewable energies and the use of fossil fuel effectively in the context of growing urbanization in the MENA region. Indeed, using the GMM estimator for 18 MENA countries during the period 2000-2018, we try to quantify the magnitude of the impact of population, economic prosperity, urbanization, fossil fuels, energy efficiency, and renewable energies, especially solar, wind, and hydropower energies on CO2 emissions. Results allow the environmental Kuznets curve validation and highlight the contribution of energy efficiency in improving the environment. However, the used proportion of renewables in the energy mix does not significantly affect environmental quality. Moreover, solar energy contributes to emissions reduction. While the adopted level of wind and hydropower energy does not allow these countries to improve their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive review on the status of renewable energy developments and hydrogen economy in the Middle East and North Africa region. This region is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its domestic energy supply and is also considered a global energy exporter. In this regard, an overview of the current state of energy sector in the region is provided. Moreover, the region possesses great potential for renewable energy exploitation due to its climatic advantages. Therefore, the current status of renewable energy utilization within the region's various countries is reviewed by presenting several operational renewable energy-based plants and future projects for deployment of renewable power in the region. Green hydrogen is an important sustainable clean fuel, and its utilization is essential for both environmental preservation and energy security. Thus, the status of hydrogen production and utilization in the region is discussed considering the various operational systems and future hydrogen generation projects. The concept of source, system and service is also incorporated which considers the utilization of clean energy sources for sustainable hydrogen production through environmentally benign pathways. The potential deployment opportunities for the renewable hydrogen production are also discussed based on available renewable sources in the region. Moreover, this paper discusses the challenges of increasing renewable energy utilization in the region. Furthermore, this paper provides a road map for achieving renewable hydrogen economy including a reduction in domestic utilization of oil and gas sources, subsidization of renewable production sector, and financial support to hydrogen production and transportation infrastructure. • Providing an overview of the status of energy sector in the region. • Providing an overview of the status of renewable energy utilization in the region. • Discussing the challenges and opportunities of renewable and hydrogen energy development in the region. • Providing a road map for renewable hydrogen development in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particular solar energy, can be connected to Europe to provide the Northern neighbouring countries with electricity. To achieve this long term objective, it is necessary to understand the local domestic consumption of electricity in the MENA region as the main consumer of energy. The understanding of current and future trends could help to provide a complete picture of the energy situation in MENA region and the feasibility of exporting energy to Europe. For this reason, this paper investigates the domestic energy use and occupants’ energy behaviour in Libya. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of domestic energy consumption and householders’ awareness, attitudes and behaviour on the overall energy consumption in Libya and how this could affect the peak demand, capacity, future trends and government energy budget. The paper also investigates the sustainability aspect of consumer products and the awareness and attitude of consumers towards consumption and demand. A comprehensive survey has been conducted to evaluate several aspects of domestic energy demand and characteristics in Libya. The findings have indicated that there is a significant increase in energy demands in the household sector in Libya and it is significant to have a clear strategy to reduce carbon emission and energy use by improving occupants’ behaviour as well as utilising other sustainable measures. Minor adjustment in householders’ energy consumption behaviour and the technology used to generate energy could provide significant financial savings and contribute significantly to the reduction in carbon emission and energy consumption. This will allow significant benefit to the local economy and the energy sector in Libya but at the same time could provide sustainable energy resources for Europe on the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Energy is an important input for national socio-economic development. The current trends of energy supply and demand are not sustainable because of the expected huge gap between demand and supply in the future. The fossil fuels resources are limited and use of these fuels has a negative impact in the environment. Holding energy at a secure level and global climate at a safe level require integration of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in the energy supply-mix. Development of RETs in a country depends on its renewable energy readiness (RE-Readiness) that indicates the gaps and strengths of their development. In light of the various initiatives proposed to turn North Africa into a renewable energy producer and extend its electricity supply to its neighboring European counties, it demands to assess the RE-Readiness. The main object of this paper is to develop and disseminate an assessment framework to find North African countries RE-Readiness for deployment of RETs. This framework is adopted in which the paper applies a consistent methodology across all the North African countries׳ to assess the present state of infrastructure, institutions and human capital factors to adopt and deploy RETs. Each of the factors is assigned a weight and a score between 1 and 7, with 1 being the lowest and 7 the highest score. From this developed assessment framework, it is found Morocco received the highest RE-Readiness score means that the country is more ready to invest in RETs than the other countries in North Africa. This assessment identifies the gaps and strengths for the deployment of RETs in these countries and serves as a first step towards proposing renewable energy diffusion strategies that will contribute to their environmental, social and economic development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Population growth, climate change and urbanization are the main challenges to meet the water demand for the next decades. The global gap between sustainable water supply and water demand is expected to grow above 2,700 km³ by 2030, equivalent to 40% of total water demand. Desalination is an established method to make fresh water--mostly as a last resort. Its contribution to water supply is minor on a global scale. In some regions, though, it is difficult to imagine a sufficient water supply without desalination. But is this technical fix sustainable? In its main part, this paper sheds light on the major issues that call the sustainability of desalination into question. Examination of a number of criteria indicates that the energy demand for desalination is by far the most important issue. Further relevant impacts are wastewater discharges, waste disposal and visual impact. In retrospect, it is noted that energy demand has already shaped today's desalination market, since energy-efficient membrane-based desalination technology has gained market share compared with the more energy-intensive thermal desalination technologies. This development has been supported by a substantial decrease in the specific energy demand of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants. As a result, state-of-the-art SWRO plants require approximately 3-5 kWh/m ³ compared to some 10 kWh/m³ or more two or three decades ago. But almost all desalination plants are powered by fossil energy resources. Hence, using renewable energy (RE) resources instead would be a big step forward towards sustainability. Case studies prepared for three projects in the MENA region demonstrate that selecting RE sources for a desalination plant is economically feasible when compared to non-subsidized fossil fuel. This paper is based on our viewpoint as engineering consultants. It is a summary of studies, reports and surveys conducted on this issue by us in past years. It is intended to give an idea of the options that are available today to make seawater desalination sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses panel cointegration techniques and Granger causality tests to investigate the dynamic causal links between per capita renewable energy consumption, agricultural value added (AVA), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, and real gross domestic product (GDP) for a panel of five North Africa countries spanning the period 1980–2011. In the short-run, Granger causality tests show the existence of bidirectional causality between CO 2 emissions and agriculture; a unidirectional causality running from agriculture to GDP, from GDP to renewable energy consumption, and from renewable energy consumption to agriculture. In the long-run, there is bidirectional causality between agriculture and CO 2 emissions; a unidirectional causality running from renewable energy to agriculture and to emissions, and from output to agriculture and to emissions. Long-run parameter estimates show that an increase in GDP or in renewable energy consumption (including combustible and waste) increases CO 2 emissions, whereas an increase in agricultural value added reduces CO 2 emissions. As policy recommendation, North African authorities should encourage renewable energy consumption, and especially clean renewable energy such as solar or wind, as this improves agricultural production and help to combat global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]