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Miracle Solution
The Sahara is not only the world’s largest
hot desert, but curiously, has almost the
same dimension as Europe. In the near
future, this will not be its only connection
with the continent. A revolutionary project,
called Desertec, is based on the idea of an
installation of solar panels in the desert in
order to generate energy not only for the
whole of Europe, but for the Middle East and
Africa. Similar projects are planned to be
set up in Australia, South America and Asia,
interlinking the whole world through the
biggest solar power project on earth.
Every single day, the amount of solar energy
reaching the surface of our planet provides us
with 10.000 times the energy we commercially
use, per year twice as much as will ever be
obtained from our non-renewable resources
gas, oil, coal and fossil fuel and until now, we
never even thought of further investigating the
potential this could hold.
With natural resources running out and the
world population growing to an estimated 10
billion by 2050, scientists and economists are
looking for alternatives which can reduce the
danger global warming has not only on our
living-conditions but on our general existence.
Unlike the other renewables available to us,
solar-voltaic has very little negative impact on
the environment, especially when set up in the
heart of the desert.
While nuclear power plants create toxic waste
and are a significant danger for potential
contamination and accidents, wind farms,
although to a minor extent, harm bird and
bat populations and pose an obstacle to
Desertec
agriculture. Hydropower, so far the only
method capable of providing vast, sufficient
amounts of clean energy, has an enormous
impact on the environment. The dams needed
are a considerable harm to fish populations,
water quality and flow, and lower water’s
oxygen levels, which damages flora and fauna
in the surrounding areas.
Despite the ongoing development of
renewable energy sources and increased
governmental funding for research in the field,
more than 70 percent of the global energy
supply is still linked to the burning of fossil
fuels, oil, coal and gas. Few would disagree
that this is the main contributor to the
destruction of the global climate system.
Many scientists agree, that in order to dim the
effects of global warming, humanity would
need to decrease the emissions of greenhouse
gases by a minimum of 70 percent before
2050.
Therefore, the development of new
technologies for the generation of alternative,
non-carbon energy that is not only sustainable
but easily stored and exploited is unavoidable.
At present, solar power is the most compact
and easily conservable energy source
worldwide. More importantly, solar energy
remains a natural constant which, unlike wind
and water, remains independent from external
influences.
Desertec proposes the installation of solar
thermal power plants, so-called CSPs in the
North-African desert in order to provide
Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (
EUMENA region) with secure, inexpensive
energy, which would be transmitted by
multiple high-voltage direct-current (HDVC)
grids.
Placed worldwide, on sites with the best
solar radiation conditions combined with the
latest technology available, the solar plants
could be operated 24 hours a day with an
estimated lifespan of 40 years. Thermal
energy will be generated through the use of
large mirror panels in order to concentrate
the sun‘s heat throughout the day, which
will be stored in tanks and run through
steam circuits according to demand.
By using a specific air-cooling system, the
plants do not use drinking water needed
in particularly arid regions, although
this method is slightly less efficient than
traditional water-cooling systems. This way,
the project will not interfere with important
water supply for desert populations. On the
contrary, in the coastal areas, saltwater will
be used for the cooling process in order to
create drinking water through desalination.
Currently, the project is directed towards
the aim of providing 15 percent of Europe‘s
energy by means of photo-voltaic. However
in the long term, it is expected to provide
for as much as 90 percent of the global
population. Due to its geographical
proximity, Desertec is focussing its strategies
on the MENA region first, but is presently
promoting the model in America, China,
India and Australia with the aim of creating
regional networks based on the concept of
energy-generation in desert areas.
“Desertec claims if only
1% of the Sahara were
covered, it would provide
enough energy for the
whole world.”
It is estimated that the 100 GW network
for the entire EUMENA region will cost 45
billion euro. However, spread amongst 30
participating countries and ten years, this
will break down to 150 million euro per
state, an average of less than 1,000 euro
per European inhabitant. Like all alternative
energy projects, Desertec will depend on
public funding.
Desertec claims if only one percent of the
Sahara were covered, it would provide
enough energy for the whole world.
The global interest in the idea of
revolutionising the energy-market forces
and expanding technological evolution is
immense, with more than one thousand
companies inquiring about Desertec every
single day.
The political world of Europe seems
determined to support the project so far,
with German chancellor Angela Merkel and
President of the European Commission Jose
Manuel Barroso having already insured
financial aid.
With great power comes responsibility.
Concerns voiced by critics include the
necessary diplomatic and political
agreements concerning energy, investment
and trade between Europe and North
African nations such as Morocco and
Algeria, which could significantly postpone
the installations.
The fear that terrorist attacks as well
as corruption might push Europe
into an economic and political corner
is unreasonable as there will be no
centralised provider, instead the 20 or
more transmission lines will run through a
number of countries, Egypt, Jordan, Syria,
Turkey, Tunisia, Italy, Morocco and Spain,
ensuring energy back-up and provision
security.
The Moroccan government, which currently
imports 96 per cent of its energy, shows
itself in favour of Desertec. Said Mouline,
head of the CDER, Morocco‘s renewable
energy agency, who played a key role in
recent developments by suggesting the
country for the project, clarifies the reason
for his enthusiasm: “Morocco doesn’t
have even one percent of Europe’s energy
consumption, so let’s be realistic. We would
be generating enough power for us, and for
export, for the next 100 years.”
“existing powerstructures
will shift as the
Middle East and Saudi
Arabia no longer will be
able to dictate the oil
price”
Moreover, Desertec can be seen as an
insurance against rising conflict in unstable
countries. In North Africa itself, the
construction of the solar panels will create
thousands of jobs for local engineers alone.
It will be up to the countries to decide
whether they want to primarily use the
energy generated or export it.
The sheer existence of power plants
however will ensure electricity for local
villages and towns, which so far were
completely cut off.
As poverty is often linked to power
shortage and access to affordable, reliable
and environmentally sensible energy,
this will significantly help the economic
development of the regions involved.
Also, it will prevent contemporary projects
planning the construction of Nuclear Power
plants, which, if subject to terrorist attacks,
would have severe consequences.
Of course, existing power-structures will
shift as the Middle East and Saudi Arabia
no longer will be able to dictate the oil
price and use their resources for political
pressure.
Nevertheless this will not amount to the
insignificance of oil and gas for countries
rich in those natural deposits. Being
provided with solar power will mean their
focus can shift to export only, which will be
in the countries‘ interest and help further
carbon preservation.
We live in a world now that is more divided
than ever. For 25 per cent of the global
population to continue to enjoy the highest
consumption pattern in human history,
75 per cent of humanity will experience
the daily reality of inhumane poverty,
contaminated drinking water, disease,
unemployment and hunger.
Desertec claims to insert a very humane,
reasonable and scientifically airtight
business approach into the global agenda.
The variety of companies signing up for
the long-term investment in eco-friendly,
humanitarian innovation, hints to the
inclination to contribute to a long overdue
revolution for outdated energy policies and
established economic power-relations. If
we don‘t address these issues now, we will
regret it later.
or Solar Mirage
Jennifer Kober investigates
corporate investment in
green energy..
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