Mozambique Solar Thermal Energy Technologies: Current Status and Future Trends

Fernando Chichango ,Luís Cristóvão

doi:10.7176/jetp/11-5-02

Abstract

Mozambique’s economy and population is growing fast and so its power needs. The country is amply endowed with abundant, high quality natural energy resource, but access to electricity is still a challenge to numerous people not to mention regularly blackout-related problems. Projected growth of urban and rural areas will represent a significant energy and climate challenge. The lack of access to energy is a major factor in the slow progress in attainment of the SDGs. Solar energy is seen as one of the most promising sources of energy, both for electricity supply and for thermal purpose. The country consistently presents a high level of solar radiation throughout the territory and throughout the year. The global horizontal irradiation varies between 1785 and 2206 kWh/m 2 /year, but the contribution to the overall supply is still marginal. Understanding the proper technologies for harnessing solar thermal energy is fundamental for economic growth and social development. In this study, solar thermal technologies are comprehensively reviewed and barriers and opportunities are discussed. Although the country has enormous solar potential for the use of thermal energy, there are few systems installed (3MWP) with emphasis only on domestic multi-family force circulation systems, flat solar collectors and vacuum tubes in operation in single-family homes. Also, innovation of domestic thermal systems could help to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the costs of electricity tax in residences. Keywords: climate change, electricity, thermal energy, solar collector, radiation DOI: 10.7176/JETP/11-5-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Highlights

Socio-economic development is linked to energy demand
The availability of energy resources throughout the universe is not uniform, some countries have plenty of nonrenewable sources, and others have a high energy potential from renewable sources even if it is not being exploited in its fullness
The intense use of non-renewable sources to meet the energy demand, imprinted by social and economic development threatens the depletion of these resources, but has triggered the harmful effects on the environment, the need for sustainable use of these resources and the search for new renewable and clean sources

Summary

Introduction

Socio-economic development is linked to energy demand. Energy supply has become the center of attention in the world. The basis for support for solar thermal energy exploration initiatives was pointed to the existing solar thermal potential at the level of the entire national territory with an average annual radiation of 1700 to 2200 kWh/m2. Another factor that drove the search for new alternative sources was the economic development of the country, which brought with it a growing energy demand. The vision of the Government of Mozambique is to popularization of the use of solar thermal energy in all country It established in a projection of 34 million inhabitants by 2030 a target of 0.1m2 of solar collector per inhabitant, Figure 4. The energy application of the solar thermal system as the primary source in EDENR - FR fits in the following needs: Refrigeration; Water heating

Conclusion

Findings

8.Acknowledgements