Recent Advances in the Efficiency and Reliability of Renewable Energy Systems in Libya: A Critical Review of Solar, Wind, Energy Storage, and Smart-Grid Technologies

Authors

  • Taha Muftah Abuali Department of Mechanical Engineering, Collage of Technical Sciences, Bani Walid, Libya Author
  • Majdi Omar Ajaj Department of Mechanical Engineering, Collage of Technical Sciences, Bani Walid, Libya Author

Keywords:

renewable energy, photovoltaic systems, wind energy, battery storage, smart grids, artificial intelligence, power-system reliability, Libya

Abstract

Background: Libya combines high solar-resource availability and geographically differentiated wind potential with an electricity system affected by ageing infrastructure, operational constraints, and limited diversification. Local research has expanded across photovoltaic (PV) performance, small wind systems, energy storage, intelligent control, and power quality, yet the evidence remains fragmented.

Objective: This review critically evaluates renewable-energy technologies relevant to Libya, compares studies published with stronger local and international evidence, and develops a deployment-oriented research framework.

Methods: A structured critical-review design was used. Sixteen core Local journals articles published during 2020–2026 were bibliographically checked against the journal archive and assessed alongside purposively selected peer-reviewed and institutional sources from 2015–2026, with older foundational studies retained where necessary. Evidence was synthesized thematically across PV, wind, storage and electric mobility, artificial intelligence (AI), smart grids, power quality, and emerging technologies. Study quality was appraised using nine domains covering objectives, methods, data adequacy, reproducibility, validation, statistics, limitations, and relevance. This manuscript does not claim PRISMA-compliant systematic-review status because auditable subscription-database exports and record-level de-duplication logs were unavailable.

Results: PV is the most mature near-term option, but high temperature, soiling, cleaning-water demand, and limited long-term field monitoring constrain transferable performance estimates. Libyan wind research demonstrates promising sites but relies heavily on short campaigns, satellite products, manufacturer curves, or simulations. Storage and electric-mobility studies remain mostly secondary or simulation-based. AI and physics-informed models are promising for forecasting, diagnostics, and control, but local evidence rarely provides open datasets, external validation, uncertainty analysis, or operational deployment. Grid protection, converter stability, cybersecurity, lifecycle assessment, and bankable economic analysis are underdeveloped.

Conclusion: Libya should prioritize measured resource and asset-performance datasets, climate-adapted PV operations, multi-year wind campaigns, storage-enabled microgrids, and staged grid-code and protection studies. The review contributes a phased framework linking generation, storage, digital intelligence, power quality, regulation, finance, and workforce development.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

1. Alami, A. H. (2014). Effects of evaporative cooling on efficiency of photovoltaic modules. Energy Conversion and Management, 77, 668–679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.10.019

2. Aljarrah, R., Fawaz, B. B., Salem, Q., Karimi, M., Marzooghi, H., & Azizipanah-Abarghooee, R. (2024). Issues and challenges of grid-following converters interfacing renewable energy sources in low inertia systems: A review. IEEE Access, 12, 5534–5561. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3349630

3. Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Predictive Modeling of Energy Dissipation Pathways in IoT-Integrated Smart Solar Grids. (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), 182-194. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v4i1.56

4. Empirical Analysis of Electric Vehicle Battery Performance, Charging Behaviour, and Degradation: A Meta-Study of Published Experimental Results. (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), 1-8. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/37.

5. ANN Techniques for Identification of a DC Motor Drive Systems. (2020). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 1(1), 51-55. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/11.

6. Advancements in Photovoltaic Cell Technology: Principles, Performance, and Manufacturing Potential in Libya. (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(2), 66-79. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v4i2.83

7. Attia, P. M., Grover, A., Jin, N., Severson, K. A., Markov, T. M., Liao, Y.-H., Chen, M. H., Cheong, B., Perkins, N., Yang, Z., Herring, P. K., Aykol, M., Harris, S. J., Braatz, R. D., Ermon, S., & Chueh, W. C. (2020). Closed-loop optimization of fast-charging protocols for batteries with machine learning. Nature, 578, 397–402. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-1994-5

8. A Review on the development of TiO2 photoanode for Solar Applications. (2021). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 2(2), 09-16. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v2i2.27

9. Bahaidarah, H., Subhan, A., Gandhidasan, P., & Rehman, S. (2013). Performance evaluation of a PV (photovoltaic) module by back surface water cooling for hot climatic conditions. Energy, 59, 445–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.07.050

10. High-Temperature Superconductors: Their Physical Properties and Technological Applications . (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), 300-308. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v4i1.67

11. Tilt Angle Adjustment Effect on the Performance of Savonius Wind Turbines. (2022). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(1), 06-09. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/34

12. Bevilacqua, P., Bruno, R., & Arcuri, N. (2020). Comparing the performances of different cooling strategies to increase photovoltaic electric performance in different meteorological conditions. Energy, 195, 116950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.116950

13. Bhimaraju, A., & Mahesh, A. (2024). Recent developments in PV/wind hybrid renewable energy systems: A review. Energy Systems. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12667-024-00679-3

14. Edge, J. S., O’Kane, S., Prosser, R., Kirkaldy, N. D., Patel, A. N., Hales, A., Ghosh, A., Ai, W., Chen, J., Yang, J., Li, S., Pang, M.-C., Bravo Diaz, L., Tomaszewska, A., Marzook, M. W., Radhakrishnan, K. N., Wang, H., Patel, Y., Wu, B., & Offer, G. J. (2021). Lithium ion battery degradation: What you need to know. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 23(14), 8200–8221. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CP00359C

15. Study of The Power Curve of a Wind Turbine at the Benghazi Solar Radiation Center. (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), 28-40. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/41

16. Fuller, A., Fan, Z., Day, C., & Barlow, C. (2020). Digital twin: Enabling technologies, challenges and open research. IEEE Access, 8, 108952–108971. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2998358

17. Hadipour, A., Rajabi Zargarabadi, M., & Rashidi, S. (2021). An efficient pulsed-spray water cooling system for photovoltaic panels: Experimental study and cost analysis. Renewable Energy, 164, 867–875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.09.021

18. Effect of Water Cooling on Photovoltaic Performance and Efficiency. (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), 269-276. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v4i1.63

19. Huang, B., & Wang, J. (2023). Applications of physics-informed neural networks in power systems—A review. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 38(1), 572–588. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRS.2022.3162473

20. International Energy Agency. (2025). Renewables 2025: Analysis and forecast to 2030. https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2025

21. Jordan, D. C., Kurtz, S. R., VanSant, K., & Newmiller, J. (2016). Compendium of photovoltaic degradation rates. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 24(7), 978–989. https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.2744

22. Effect of Tilt Angle and Azimuth Angle on The Global Irradiance Using The PVsyst Software for Alkhums-Libya. (2020). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 1(1), 63-67. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/13.

23. Quantitative Analysis of Renewable Energy Systems Efficiency and Reliability: A Meta-Study of Solar, Wind, and Energy Storage Experimental Data. (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), 9-17. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v4i1.38

24. Modeling and Simulation of Energization Overvoltage Phenomena During Capacitor Switching Transient. (2026). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 5(1), 126-140. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v5i1.122

25. Lagili, H. S. A., Kiraz, A., Kassem, Y., & Gökçekuş, H. (2023). Assessment of solar and wind energy potential for agricultural applications in Libya using measured and satellite data. Energies, 16(18), 6725. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186725

26. Maka, A. O. M., Salem, S., & Mehmood, M. (2021). Solar photovoltaic (PV) applications in Libya: Challenges, potential, opportunities and future perspectives. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 5, 100267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2021.100267

27. Mani, M., & Pillai, R. (2010). Impact of dust on solar photovoltaic (PV) performance: Research status, challenges and recommendations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14(9), 3124–3131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.07.065

28. Optimize tilted angle of PV panel subjected to Tripoli microclimate condition . (2025). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), 361-372. https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v4i1.76

29. Nassar, Y. F., El-Khozondar, H. J., El-Osta, W., Mohammed, S., Elnaggar, M., Khaleel, M., Ahmed, A., & Alsharif, A. (2024). Carbon footprint and energy life cycle assessment of wind energy industry in Libya. Energy Conversion and Management, 300, 117846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117846

30. Ng, M.-F., Zhao, J., Yan, Q., Conduit, G. J., & Seh, Z. W. (2020). Predicting the state of charge and health of batteries using data-driven machine learning. Nature Machine Intelligence, 2, 161–170. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-020-0156-7

31. Raissi, M., Perdikaris, P., & Karniadakis, G. E. (2019). Physics-informed neural networks: A deep learning framework for solving forward and inverse problems involving nonlinear partial differential equations. Journal of Computational Physics, 378, 686–707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2018.10.045

32. Power Management for Series Hybrid Electrical Vehicles via Power Split Strategy. (2021). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 2(1), 24-29. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/20

33. Said, S. A. M., Hassan, G., Walwil, H. M., & Al-Aqeeli, N. (2018). The effect of environmental factors and dust accumulation on photovoltaic modules and dust-accumulation mitigation strategies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 743–760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.09.042

34. Sayyah, A., Horenstein, M. N., & Mazumder, M. K. (2014). Energy yield loss caused by dust deposition on photovoltaic panels. Solar Energy, 107, 576–604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2014.05.030

35. Severson, K. A., Attia, P. M., Jin, N., Perkins, N., Jiang, B., Yang, Z., Chen, M. H., Aykol, M., Herring, P. K., Fraggedakis, D., Bazant, M. Z., Harris, S. J., Chueh, W. C., & Braatz, R. D. (2019). Data-driven prediction of battery cycle life before capacity degradation. Nature Energy, 4, 383–391. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-019-0356-8

36. High Influence of the Modified Ejector on Performance of a Solar Absorption Refrigration System (NH3/H2O). (2021). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 2(1), 13-18. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/17

37. Shenouda, R., Abd-Elhady, M. S., & Kandil, H. A. (2022). A review of dust accumulation on PV panels in the MENA and the Far East regions. Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 69, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-021-00052-6

38. The Effects of Catalyst Layer Composition onthe Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Performance: (I) Modeling. (2020). Albahit Journal of Applied Sciences, 1(1), 12-18. https://albahitjas.com.ly/index.php/albahit/article/view/4.

39. Song, G., Cao, B., & Chang, L. (2022). Review of grid-forming inverters in support of power system operation. Chinese Journal of Electrical Engineering, 8(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.23919/CJEE.2022.000001

40. Staffell, I., Scamman, D., Velazquez Abad, A., Balcombe, P., Dodds, P. E., Ekins, P., Shah, N., & Ward, K. R. (2019). The role of hydrogen and fuel cells in the global energy system. Energy & Environmental Science, 12, 463–491. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EE01157E

41. Uddin, K., Jackson, T., Widanage, W. D., Chouchelamane, G., Jennings, P. A., & Marco, J. (2017). On the possibility of extending the lifetime of lithium-ion batteries through optimal V2G facilitated by an integrated vehicle and smart-grid system. Energy, 133, 710–722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.04.116

42. Wais, P. (2017). A review of Weibull functions in wind sector. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 70, 1099–1107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.12.014

43. World Bank. (2017a). Libya—Supporting electricity sector reform: Task A, sector performance and structural sector reform, final report. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/616071527050024484

44. World Bank. (2017b). Libya—Supporting electricity sector reform: Task D, strategic plan for renewable energy development, least-cost expansion plan. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/118971537999946577

45. Yue, M., Lambert, H., Pahon, E., Roche, R., Jemei, S., & Hissel, D. (2021). Hydrogen energy systems: A critical review of technologies, applications, trends and challenges. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 146, 111180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111180

46. Zhang, H., Xiang, W., Lin, W., & Wen, J. (2021). Grid forming converters in renewable energy sources dominated power grid: Control strategy, stability, application, and challenges. Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, 9(6), 1239–1256. https://doi.org/10.35833/MPCE.2021.000257

Downloads

Published

2026-07-03

Issue

Volume 2, No. 2, 2026

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Taha Muftah Abuali, & Majdi Omar Ajaj. (2026). Recent Advances in the Efficiency and Reliability of Renewable Energy Systems in Libya: A Critical Review of Solar, Wind, Energy Storage, and Smart-Grid Technologies. The Open European Journal of Applied Sciences (OEJAS), 2(2), 01-33. https://easdjournals.com/index.php/oejas/article/view/84