Techno-Economic Assessment of an Off-Grid Biomass Gasification CHP Plant for an Olive Oil Mill in the Region of Marrakech-Safi, Morocco

A substantial number of off-grid olive oil mills in Morocco are powered by diesel-fired generators, which hugely contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In this research work, a biomass gasification combined heat power (CHP) plant fueled with local by-products was explored as renewable alternative electrify country. The case study considered CHP rated 80 kWe, order enable adaptation the producer flow rate abrupt changes generation unit under dynamic operation. downdraft gasifier conditioning were modeled steady state operation using Cycle-Tempo, while Thermoflex simulation environment partial full load Olive cake pellets pruning chips evaluated feedstock, moisture contents ranging from 5% 20% (wet basis). results showed net electrical efficiencies around 18% 35%, respectively. Finally, profitability assessment developed for 2 months continuous operation, together sensitivity analysis. baseline scenario reveal payback period 7–8 years 68.5% accumulated profit based on capital investment, suggest that plants can represent an economically feasible sustainable solution electrification areas Morocco.