RENEWABLE ENERGY INTEGRATION: A STRATEGY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
Iraq, with its hot and dry climates and clay soil, is well-suited for date palm cultivation. Date orchards are of great importance to the people, serving as both an economic and nutritional resource. However, the scarcity of water in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, coupled with high drought rates, has led to alarming levels of desertification. This has resulted in the loss of livelihoods for thousands of farmers and large-scale waves of displacement to cities. The negligence of government agencies in developing agriculture, particularly in addressing the irrigation problem, has exacerbated the situation.
This scientific engineering study aims to tackle the main problem of irrigation in Iraq. A comprehensive survey of Iraqi orchards was conducted with the assistance of agricultural experts, revealing that the primary issue lies in the high cost of irrigation. Most farmers still rely on ancient flooding methods, using fuel-operated pumps on a daily and random basis. However, diesel fuel is expensive, costing around $0.5 per liter in Iraq. Moreover, each palm tree requires approximately 65 to 70 cubic meters of water per year.
Considering Iraq's vast untapped groundwater reserves, which agricultural experts deem suitable for irrigation, this study focuses on a 100-acre desert land in southern Iraq. Cultivating this land necessitates an irrigation system powered by a pump, and an energy source must be identified for the pump's operation. Experts recommend a 20 HP pump to adequately irrigate the area. The study examines whether the region is ready to operate such a pump using solar energy and compares it to a fuel-operated pump.
To assess the economic feasibility of solar energy projects, a comprehensive analysis of solar energy sources in the region is conducted using data from local and international meteorological departments. The renowned HOMER Pro program, specializing in clean energy systems and cost analysis, is employed for the implementation and evaluation of the solar energy solution.
