About

I am a Senior Researcher in Solar Energy and Zero Carbon at the University of Derby with expertise in Materials durability used in the solar field of Concentrated Solar Power plants. I also have a considerable experience in the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of Renewable Energy plants on local communities. I am a former Course Director of Renewable Energy MSc course and am lecturing Concentrated Solar Energy topics and supervising MSc and PhD students.

Research interests

My current research activities are related to the durability of materials used in the solar fields of Concentrated Solar Power plants, CSP, solar thermal heating and cooling. I am working on assessing the impact of outdoor environmental conditions on the degradation of solar collectors by soiling and erosion.

Another part of my research activities is dedicated to the evaluation of the socioeconomic, environmental and livelihood impact of renewable energy plants on local communities.

Recent publications

• M.Karim, S. Naamane, I. El Amrani, C. Delord, S. Belcadi, P. Tochon, A. Bennouna; “Towards the prediction of CSP mirrors wear: Methodology of analysis of influencing parameters on the mirrors surface degradation: Application in two different sites in Morocco”, Solar Energy Journal, Vol. 108, pp. 41-50, 2014
• M.Karim, S. Naamane, C. Delord, A. Bennouna; “Study of the surface damage of glass reflectors used in Concentrated Solar Power Plants”, Energy Procedia Journal, Vol.69, pp. 106-115, 2015
• M.Karim, S. Naamane, C. Delord, A. Bennouna; “Surface wear damage of glass solar mirrors in Moroccan desert environment”, IRSEC Proceeding Journal, IEEE Explore, pp. 246–251, 2015
• Z, Edfouf, M.Guerguer, S.Naamane, M.Karim, N.Zari, H.Grirate, O.Raccurt, C. Delord, R.Couturier; “Research on component materials used for Moroccan CSP power plants: Mirrors ageing and thermal storage”, IRSEC Proceeding Journal, IEEE Explore, pp. 125-130, 2015
• M.Karim, S. Naamane, C. Delord, A. Bennouna; “Laboratory simulation of the surface erosion of Solar glass mirrors”, Solar Energy Journal, Vol.118, pp. 520-532, 2015
• M.Karim, S. Naamane, C. Delord, “Evaluation of the behaviour of different solar mirrors against soiling phenomenon”; IRSEC Proceeding Journal, IEEE Explore, pp. 326 – 329, 2016
• Guerguer, Z.Edfouf, M.Karim, S. Naamane, O.Raccurt, C. Delord, “Soiling deposition on solar mirrors exposed in Morocco”, AIP Conference Proceeding, Vol 1850, 2017
• M.Karim, C.Delord, O.Raccurt, S.Naamane, “Exposure conditions effect on the soiling of solar glass mirrors” AIP Conference Proceeding, Vol 2033, 2018
• M.Guerguer, M.Karim, S.Naamane, Z.Edfouf, O.Raccurt, “Degradation of solar glass mirrors paint at the marine outdoor site” AIP Conference Proceeding, Vol 2033, 2018
• A.Matal, M.Karim, O.Bannouri, S.Naamane, H.Bouaouine, “Setting Parameters of an Erosion Test Bench for Solar Reflectors” Proceedings of 2017 International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference, IRSEC 2017
• M. Guerguer, S.Naamane, M.Karim, H.Bouaouine, “Outdoor exposure testing of silvered-glass reflectors under marine environment”, AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol 2126, 2019
• M.Karim, H.Almond, C.Sansom, N.Ozkan, P.Mirzania, P.King, “The Effect of Concentrated Solar Power plants on The Socio-Economic and Livelihood Assets of The Local Community and Environment”, AIP Conference Proceedings 2303, 150010, 2020
• P.King, C.Sansom, H.Almond, M.Karim, L.R.Idiazabal, “Simulation of the effect of dust barriers on the reduction of mirror soiling in CSP plants”, AIP Conference Proceedings, 2303, 0029094, 2020
• A.Matal, M.Karim, S.Naamane, “Development and calibration of an experimental test bench simulating solar reflectors erosion”, Solar Energy Journal, 201, pp. 724–731, 2020

Membership of professional bodies

• Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
• Associate Member of the Energy Institute (EI)

Qualifications

• MSc in Energetics, Electronics and Automation, Cadi Ayyad University
• PhD in Physics, Solar Energy, Cadi Ayyad University

Recent conferences

SolarPACES is the main annual conference for CSP academics and researchers. I am involved in SolarPACES since 2012

• SolarPACES 2012: Marrakech, Morocco
• SolarPACES 2014: Beijing, China
• SolarPACES 2017: Santiago de Chile, Chile
• SolarPACES 2022: Albuquerque, New Mexico US

International experience

I have very good international experience working on different projects with different Research and Development institutes, universities and industries from the UK, Morocco, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and India.