Solar Power From Africa: The Best Investment the EU Can Make
by Stacy Feldman - Apr 21st, 2008
"Big Solar" may take on a whole new meaning if Desertec, the most ambitious solar thermal plan ever conceived, gets funded.
Its architects claim they can build a supergrid of concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP) that can meet most of Europe's current electricity needs by using just 0.3 percent of the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – and at a cost less than oil.
The long-term prospects look even sunnier.
For an investment of $400 billion over 30 years, Desertec could eventually power Europe plus two-thirds of the MENA countries by 2050, while dramatically cutting C02 emissions and phasing out nuclear power at the same time.
That’s a sizeable chunk of the whole world’s energy needs. And for only $13 billion per year.
What a bargain, if you consider that building a single nuclear power plant in Europe carries a price tag of around $2.5 to $3.5 billion these days.
Desertec was developed by the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Corporation, the brain child of the Club of Rome, with support from the German Aerospace Bureau, among other influentials.
And it was created with this idea in mind: the solar energy available for harvest in the world’s deserts is 700 times the amount of energy needed to sustain the Earth’s population.
If the EU is charmed into supporting it, the desert lands of the MENA countries will bloom with hundreds, and eventually thousands, of arrays of solar mirrors that will generate an enormous 100 GW of exportable solar – with the potential for substantially more.
Too good to be true? Not anymore.
Skyrocketing fuel prices and the mounting reality of a peak oil future have made Desertec economically attractive for the first time since it was conceived back in 2003.
And it doesn’t hurt that the project carries a built-in bonus: drinking water. The plan aims to use the waste heat from the solar power plants for thermal desalination to create clean water for host countries.
The biggest snag is how to transmit the power to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea without losing mass amounts of energy during underwater transit. But Desertrec has already come up with the fix: clean electrical power via High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission lines that will cause reasonable losses of 10 to 15 percent from Africa to Europe.
Still, the EU hasn't bought into it -- not yet. And Desertec needs Europe to invest big and early.
The European Parliament has asked Desertec for more specifics, especially how it will protect investors from financial losses when political instability strikes the MENA region.
Valid question.
In the meantime, the EU would be wise to back a Desertec demonstration project that would create a favorable economic framework for public and private investment in the long term.
If not, Europe may miss a lucrative opportunity to shape the future of desert solar, and its own energy economy.
Prince Hassan bin Talal from Jordan, former President of The Club of Rome and one of Desertec's most prominent supporters, offers this reminder to Europe:
"Such a win-win cooperation between the European Union and its southern and eastern Mediterranean neighbours is reminiscent of the Union for Coal and Steel in Europe founded some 60 years ago, which led Europe into a prosperous and peaceful future."
And if not the EU, then somebody else.
In the next 12 years alone companies will spend between $80 billion and $200 billion on CSP installations, according to a new report by Prometheus Institute and Greentech Media.
That includes more than $30 billion worth of new plants that companies have announced just in the last six months.
(Source: Geotimes)
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Keep the oceans from
Keep the oceans from releasing it too. What about that other very effective GHG--water vapor? Look into all the areas of the Earth
The reserves have already
The reserves have already been proven suitable for sequestration. And, instead of just burying a coal plant's CO2 into the Earth with nothing to do, it would give the CO2 a purpose: to produce more oil or natural gas. CO2 the problem for everything? Better stop breathing.
Thanking
Thanks for this useful post...
Thanking...
Thank you very much for given this great post....
solar power - why drag power lines?
Why not build up infrastructure and expand business around the solar power plant? Power lines will shorten greatly. It would be like growing oasis of business, small towns, then bigger. It will not solve small, remote household's energy problems but why not attract people to move closer?
I am just thinking loud.
What about residential solar thermal?
Solar water heating should be catching on faster in the U.S. Installers are getting better about providing reasonable prices. Local incentives, in Austin, for example pay for nearly 40% of the system, coupled with the Federal tax credit, 60% of the system is paid for. Payback time is then reduced to 2-3 years. More information on the Austin energy solar rebate can be found here http://www.sunbelt-solar.com/cost
Best Investment of all
Hope this will prove the best investment of all. More and more of them must be encouraged to invest as it can lead to the natural harmony. Thanks for sharing.
Thanking...
Thanks for this informative post..........
yes. best investment
Yeah. i think investment for solar power in africa is best for not just the EU, but also for the US, Japan...
Solar Power
Our sun produces 400,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 watts of energy every second and the belief is that it will last for another 5 billion years. The United States reached peak oil production in 1970, and there is no telling when global oil production will peak, but it is accepted that when it is gone the party is over. The sun, however, is the most reliable and abundant source of energy. As well as in buysinesss, business indeed are needing a thermal power too. Small business loans or loans to help a person start a small business are one of the most used financial products. Small business loans are harder to get these days due the credit crunch. Obama has pledged to hold banks accountable for accepting bailout money. Because of this, it should be easier to get short term loans for business from banks. Small businesses created about 70% of new jobs in the last ten years, according to some estimates. It is one of the cornerstones of the American economy – remember that Apple and Microsoft both began with someone getting small business loans. More energy from the sun hits the Earth in one hour than all of the energy consumed by humans in an entire year. According to the Department of Energy, in 2001 the world consumed at an average rate of more than 13 trillion watts ( 13 terawatts, TW), just a fraction of the 120,000 TW of energy available that falls to Earth- free. Life on Earth long ago realized that the sun was the best way to get free energy, just look around at all that green stuff growing outside. Today, solar energy accounts for only 0.1% of our energy portfolio. We will likely look back at the use of fossil fuels as an obvious misstep in technology development. A small blip on the radar of human technology, like a toddler testing the boundaries of what is possible. The Oil Drum's featured guest writer Gerry Wolff, coordinator of TREC-UK, describes a bold plan called DESERTEC that is centered around solar thermal.
Sorry, But This Won't Work
Don't take me wrong. I love the idea of renewable energy. Solar energy is definitely the future. We've have years of research, nearly perfected tools and the sun, more or less, is always up.
However, after reading a very nice book on solar energy (From Space to Earth by John Perlin), it seems that this proposal to create a solar power plant in Africa is far-fetched and unfeasible. Why?
The problem is with moving the electricity. As you know, they project 10-15% loss from the power lines. That may be small when you're creating 100GW+ of power, but the transmission lines for doing so will be incredibly expensive. Solar energy applications are known to generally have low maintenance and to last quite long, yet an intercontinental project is not as maintainable as a calculator or even a solar electric grid that powers an entire neighborhood. Furthermore, the politics and laws of each region that the lines go through varies. Ideally everyone will cooperate, but as history has shown, this is -not- the best of all possible worlds...
Criticism aside, I commend these people for taking a step in the right direction.
Solar Energy
Solar power is the good planning for the EUROPE..,This system is also one of the eco-friendly and renewable one. I also developed a web site for "solar power and solar energy".
jobs
as long as we are giving energy and jobs to the people of the land that the place occupies, I'm down.
Solar Power America best investment WE can make
Distributed Power generation is crucial to the coming economy.
Good
Solar energy. The sun is the most powerful source of alternative energy. And investing in this kind of energy will give you more money.
I think that it is a good
I think that it is a good that Middle East can provide enought energy for Europe.But bad that it could dramatically cut out emissions and phase out the nuclear power.It is good that they are waste heat to clean water for North African Courties.It is good that coutries all the world are doing projects to reduse potential fuel.It is bad they are losing mass amouts of energy.
i agreeeeeeeeeeeeee
it will equal to the 400 billion for 30 years by the leaders of rome and jordan also
desertec had offers the reminder of europe.i think that they should get fresh
water and good food.they should have less money not more money.if they dont
fix more stuff alot of stuff will happing.........,.,,..,,.,./,/,.,.,/,/,,..,.,.,,..,.sm e ,4rwgcxeswa,.,.
GOOD
GOOD CALL AND GOOD WORD CHOICE "SCREW"
Good idea rsv
I think this is a great idea because MENA is short on electricity and to do something like this for them would be good. But we should think about putting just enough to power what we couldnt before. The EU also needs this so we need enough for every place that needs it, this costs alot of money so we cant afford to break anything or make more than we need.
solar energy rocks
sweet it is realy good that we will finaly have a lead in solar energy instead of gas and stuff who knows in the next few years we might have cars with the solar panels on the top. Or maby Europe will be stupid and not by in to it, I mean if I had that type of money I would rather pay 13 billion for 30 years then 1.3 billion every 3-6 years for nuclear power plants witch are really bad for the enviroment. :)
good idea
this is the best idea i have ever heard of since well... well i never really heard of an idea this good actually even if it does cost a billion something bucks. oh well i still like it
I agree!!!!!!!!!!!
i think it is a great way to get energy for europe, and for the country to get fresher water and air.by that the ozone layre could be in better shape then it is now. but the 400 billion dollers is a lot of money. the money could be for so much more like supplies for the earth,seeds ,water soil to plant more trees . but other then that i agree with the idea.
I agree!!!!!!!!!!!
i think it is a great way to get energy for europe, and for the country to get fresher water and air.by that the ozone layre could be in better shape then it is now. but the 400 billion dollers is a lot of money. the money could be for so much more like supplies for the earth,seeds ,water soil to plant more trees . but other then that i agree with the idea.
it is a good idea
i think that it is a good idea because it can save the MENA some money. Because with the panels absorbing energy thensome of it will be stored for later. And it is probably cheaper than that oil that they have to buy.Also the u.s has all this stuff and why not have the MENA have some good energy to save
Better LATE then NEVER
Many people have been blogging that people should spend their money on more importent things... um whats more important than energy and not only energy but safe and helpfull energy. Sure we could spend it on saving the homeless but if we have to expenseve energy theres no point in we'd be fighting a losing battle.Plus others say that solar energy would take years to be fruitfull SO WHAT gas and coal energys are destroying our planet thers a reason we might not be around to see the effect of solar energy and its co2 gasses.If we fund solar energy we might be in debt for 50 somthing years but at least we'll be alive or our children will see the effect. Solar Power:BETTER LATE THEN NEVER.
solar power
I think that this a excaellent idea because countrise around the world are looking to invest in small projects, to reduce the cost of fuel. Also the heat that is not uesed from the solar power, could be used to to clean water in the North African Countries.If EU supports this descision, then thousands of solar power will be sold and you will save moeny beacuse your eletricity bill is not going up.Yet the solar power may take yearsbefor it gets done,and cost millions of dollars it will be worth it.
soler panel energy
If the goverment aproves it that we could start putting soler panels in the desert it could could provide enofe energy by the year 2050 could provid enofe energy to power up the middeleast and 2/3 of the mena
the taxs of pepole would go up because the cost to do this cost 400 billon dollers for thertey years
the amount of co2 could be redocid to half as mouch because the houses would have soler panels so the sun could power up the houses aplinices
:)
i think this is a good idea and we should try to get it in the United States of America and there is good amount of dersert space like in Nevada and Arizona that you could put the solar farms, also then we would not have to burn as much coal for heating and other house needs like for gas. So I think the solar farms is a good idea in general and that it should happen all over the world.
Solar panels in europe
I think solar panels would be very good for the people in Noth Africa and the Middle East. Even though the prices sound very high, they actually will turn out a lot cheaper in the end. Not only will the energy collected be used for electricity, but it will also provide clean and healthy drinking water. To me, that sounds like something worth going for. With the way the economy is now, this discovery is a miracle for the countries that really need it. It would really be useful in a country like the middle east, and would benefit everyone. If it does, then the idea can move to other countries and we could all have solar panels.
it's not that great of an idea - money wise
I think putting a solar power plant up in Middle east of Europe and North Africa is a good idea, it could give us more energy that we need and probably help us live better. But money wise isn't a good idea since the fund of it is about $400 billion dollars. Especially right now, in the economic situation we have in this world is bad, i do not think we should be spending that much money on something that would only help us a little bit. If we ever get out of this economic problem, and gain a lot more money, it would be a great idea to use. But right now i just do not think it should be put up at this time.
solar power is a good idea
I think solar power is a good idea because this will sustain Earth's population. i also think it is a good idea because it will give clean water to the countries that have water that is not good for them. The water that is a waste and the other countries do not need will be replaced with cleaner water. Building the solar panels will also be a good idea because it will help heat up the countries with homeless people that do not have heat. It may cost alot of money to build it but it is worth it for the people on the Earth. Getting the solar power will be a good investment because instead of using the bad things like coal that destroy the ozone layer the solar power will be an alternative.
The Power
The solar power means that it can last up to 2050! That is a good thing because right now, since the gas prices are going up, who's knows we may find out that our energy is really low. So the price for energy things(light bulb,and e.t.c)may go up.To me it would be a good thing if we save energy.That energy is holding/lasting until 2050 and that is 41 years later.Even though the cost for this would be 400 billion at least we would have energy stored.By this price being so high,the U.S may have to increase the price of our wants,and neccesities.Also this project will create clean water for the Northern African countries.That is good as well because now Africa can have a cleaner environment,and more and more people will not die(because the water is now clean and not dirty and not filtered).This is a good idea to me!
The solar pandel power
I think it is good to have solar panels to power from the middle east and north africa because it would cost that much like oil.Another thing is it will only take about 0.3 percent of the middle east and north africa desert.It has emonous power about 100 EW and exportable.Lastly it would be good the environment and it is really hot and sunny so it would absored really good ,fast and good mostly cleaner to ever thing.
Solar Panels
Personally I think that having solar panels are great because in the long run it will pay for itself. The 400 Billion dollars that these countries are splitting will be cheaper to them since it will save them energy and money by 2050. Places like Africa can use all of the help they can get, because let's face it Africa isn't the richest country and when something comes around like this that will save them money in a couple years they should really go for it.
solar pannels = great for the earth
I think this is a great idea. Yes I agree that 400 billion dolars is a lot of money but it will be one bigger step to helping stop all of the pulution in our earths atmosphere. I think that this could cause a lot of other places to think about building solar pannles much like this one because they now know that it works. Also anything that will cut down the CO2 emissions is fine by me and if you desigree then you must not care to much about the earth that you are living on! GO SOLAR!!!!
this is a great idea because
this is a great idea because these solar panels could power several countries and cut down on co2 emissions. also since gas prices are rising this could help out the world's economies. I only hope they could get the americas and asia to use this solar energy.
this sounds great!!!!!!!
This is a great idea. If it cost less then gas and could help peolpe have claen water to drink it could realy help our ecomime crisise with gas prices.Though it dose cost 400 billon over 30 yeaes it sounds worth it to me.
SOLAR PANAL IN COUNTRYS
I think its a good idea about the solar power and how it would help many countries prouduce alot of energy and protect the envirment and producing it like the fresh water. The problem is that it cost a whole lot of money .Most countries cant even come up with 400 billion dollars cause some countrys are in dept.The EU said the solar panels dont work that good so you would be paying alot for a solar panels that wont even last long.
SNAIL POWER!!!!!!!1111one111111one1111
I think this is good for the environment because 30 billion a year for a whole continent really is pretty cheap if every country pitches in. If all the countries in Europe divide the price between themselves it may cost 1 billion per country for power for a whole year. As another bonus, the energy cost for Europeons may go down allowing them to live better off in Europe's expensive economy.
Solar Panels could decrease the amount of pollution created
The idea of implanting solar panels in Europe in my opinion is a brilliant solution to becoming more eco-friendly around the world. Placing the panels in the desert is smart because its pretty rural there and it gets plenty of solar radiation during the hot and cold seasons. The bonus of this plan also benefits Europe and the surrounding countries because the excess energy generated will be used to clean water so it would be made suitable to drink. I give two thumbs up for solar panels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think its a good idea.
i think its a good idea. africa gets a good amount of sun so why not. this is a good idea becuase if they start doing it then all the people in the USA may want to start puting soler power up. this may be a great thing. less wast, cleaner enviroment for America. this may be good also becuase it will only take 30 years and its going to take $400billion. its not that much money. think about it. over all the countres over there the people would only have to give up a little for this project.
WE SHOULD HAVE SOLAR PANELS IN ALL COUNTRIE'S!!!
In my opinion I think that this solar radiation is a good thing to invest our money instead of wasting it on little things like nuclear power plants which has several consquences (more than enough to eliminate the positives). I personally however think that all countrie's should have this program due to it helping the enviroment and helps bring in some sort of profit in those countrie's that would store the solar panels in their deserts or where ever the panels are stored.
we should have solar panals in all countries!!!!!
I think that this is a great idea for people to use the free energy source the sun to develop energy to heat houses, power cars, power anything, in general.Also this program can help many families in africa that arent fortunet as us in the united states!!!!!!!!!
using solar energy for use
i disagree with this idea because we could get hurt just seeing the ray of sunlight hitting the tower and we cant wait for 2050 because if we fund it that would not be good using solar power just yet.Like say for example solar power cars we're not used to it yet there will be never ending crashes say like on route 10 there will be multiple crashs.
Solar Energy
Solar energy, I think, is a good investment because eventualy the energy production rate will skyrocket. This investment could help power the world with almost, if any polution. The solar energy also cut an emence amount of co2 emition as well so i think that this is a very good project to invest in.
Solar Panels in Africa
I think its a good idea i guess because all the Europian countries have to split the 400 Billion dollars to pay for the panel and its not as much money to spent with all those countries splitting it.
Its probably good for africa too cause it needs all the help the country can get, but we can do something with all those acres africa is losing fOr the solar panel.
Also, it might warm the earth more to i guess , for all them homeless and poor people without heat, they will get warm from the panel too.
Solar panels for Africa.
I think this would be a good presentation to argue about. My opioin is that we should get solar panels in Africa. Some details to support my reasoning is that Africa is close to the eqauter and that is the hottest location and we will get the most solar heat from that location. Also that the peolpe Africa could have less worry about the respobility of having to pay for their electricity. For the sake of their contient we should give them a big favor. Another positive suggestion is that these solar panels could help are dying enviorment. These solar panels can bring salt-water to fresh water as some of the blogers before me have stated. I belive this concept could work as a very positive thing for the contient of Africa. People in Europe can afford to have electricity. On the other hand Africa doesn't have quite the big bucks that Europe does so it can help it in finacial suituations. One more fact that I would like to include is that if we build these solar panels in Europe it will cost up to 2.5 to 3.5 million dollars. Altough one bad thing that a have noticed in this article is that the co2 for the solar panel break down the ozone layer which is very distigushing to our enviorment.
The idea of using solar
The idea of using solar power energy is a great idea. Its cleaner and it can make the enviorment much healther. The estimated price is over all an ok price. within a few years there will be using .3% of the desert for our use, It being cheaper then oil which would save us a whole bunch of money. More poeple will be able to afford to have clean energy. Using the extra power to clean our water will make it better for people. Having to transport the energy will provid resources for those who really need it.
solar power
I think that this is good for some people because this makes the people that use this, makes there eletric bill go down and it will not be so high. Also with the gas prises like they talk about they are getting high and when the teens these days start to drive it will be like $4 and something. If the companies will spend between $80 billion and $200 billion on CSP installations then this new solar power thing must be a good sorce or energy. In the meantime, the European Union of countries would be wise to back a Desertec demonstration project that would create a favorable economic framework for public and private investment in the long term. If not, Europe may miss a lucrative opportunity to shape the future of desert solar, and its own energy economy. 400 billion is not really that much money but Europe will still have to use the money to run the county, so if you really think about it its kinda hard to the countrys that are not that big, because of the money sorce.
Solar Power From Africa
This seems like a good idea because years from now solar power may be our only source of light since the high prices. We can not depend on Europe. we cant depend on europe because the country would not be able to hold a $400 billon dollar plan against africa and the middle east.But it could still generate a very valuable amount of natural energy for Africa.
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