Integrated Spatial and Multiperiod Optimization of Morocco’s Green Hydrogen Supply Chain Using Mixed Integer Linear Programming and a FlexSim/FloWorks Based Digital Twin Simulation

The World Bank’s Lighthouse Strategy identifies Morocco as a first mover exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives to Europe; however, the engineering feasibility of the associated transport and storage network has not been quantitatively demonstrated. This study addresses that gap through an integrated spatial and multiperiod optimization framework that couples a spatially explicit Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model with a FlexSim/FloWorks digital twin for discrete event and hydraulic simulation. The MILP simultaneously optimizes electrolysis deployment, hydrogen storage technologies, and multimodal transport across a four node Moroccan export corridor (TanTan, Mohammedia, Jorf Lasfar, and Tanger Med) for the 2030, 2040, and 2050 planning horizons under a net present value objective. The optimal configuration combines a dedicated hydrogen backbone pipeline for the high volume production corridor with shortsea cabotage for the distribution branches, achieving a full chain levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) of 1176 USD/t, consistent with the World Bank benchmark and reducing costs by 57 USD/t compared with an all cabotage configuration. The optimal network remains robust over a wide range of capital cost and financing assumptions, while the digital twin confirms the hydraulic and operational feasibility of the integrated pipeline–shipping system without critical port congestion. These findings demonstrate that combining optimization with digital twin validation provides a robust engineering basis for planning Morocco’s green hydrogen export infrastructure and supports investment decisions aligned with future CBAM compliant hydrogen and ammonia supply chains.