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A4 March 2011/Volume 11/Issue 4
Project Desertec
By Iqra Ahmed
THE HARBINGER
Even though we often hear
about renewable energy resources,
most of the world remains a gas
guzzling, carbon emitting, fossil-fuel
burning entity. But a new project,
Desertec, plans to change this.
The Desertec Industrial
Initiative (DII) plans to open the
largest solar energy project in the
Sahara Desert in order to provide
sustainable energy for Europe,
North Africa and the Middle East.
The project is gaining momentum
and just recently gained the support
of the US Company First Solar,
as well as both the Tunisian and Algerian
governments.
Desertec first announced
its plan of the Joining of First Solar
March 16th of last year, and this
announcement has propelled Desertec
to become a reality in providing
solar energy. If the project is
completed by the projected date of
2012, it would provide up to 15%
of Europe’s energy with renewable,
pollution-free resources as well as
create a network of sustainable energy
in the regions.
DII will use carefully positioned
mirrors in the Sahara desert
(whose temperatures can reach
120�F in the summer) to boil water
and activate turbines. The technology
of the solar project is based on
a concentrated solar power plant,
called a CSP. This power plant
works exactly like a coal steam
power plant, but instead of using
coal, the powerplant operates solely
on concentrated solar power—an
eco-friendlier alternative. The mirrors
reflect and concentrate solar
energy, which are then transmitted
to Europe and Africa by means of
a super grid of high-voltage direct
power cables.
Professor Udo Unheheuer,
the Chairman of the Management
Board of SCHOTT AG (one of the investing
companies) told MediaGlobal,
“Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
technology is a crucial element of
the Desertec project…we consider
outselves to be the global leaders of
both technology and market share
with our solar receivers.”
The program launched on
July 13, 2009 with a budget of $550
Is Caffeine Deadly?
By Laura Paklin
THE HARBINGER
To a high school student
hitting the books and cramming
for a test the next day while getting
minimal hours of sleep, drinking a
warm-roasted coffee to stay awake
may sound like a good solution.
However, caffeine is not a healthy
solution.
But don’t lock up your coffee
pot just yet; an estimated 80-
100 cups of coffee would have to
be drunk in a rapid sequence to
achieve a malady. Caffeine is considered
a safe food substance and
is widely popular. In North America,
90% of adults consume caffeine
daily.
“Yes, I drink caffeine on a
daily basis because I love tea,” Nniza
Grant, sophomore, Communications
and Entertainment, Graphic
Design.
But pick your poison because
the beverages people most
commonly drink such as coffee,
soda, energy drinks, and tea all carry
a psychoactive stimulant, which
Caffeine advertisement. Google Images.
Scientists talking among solar panes. Google Images.
stimulates your mental and physical
activity. When a small dose of
caffeine is ingested it can increase
alertness but it also causes headaches
and nervousness. It can even
lower motor skills, increase your
heartbeat and a give a bad case of
the munchies.
“I drink a lot of caffeine
because it’s bad for you, laughter
is caffeine plus I’m aware how it’s
bad for you,” said Elissa Urbina,
sophomore, Entrepreneurship, Finance.
A major consumption of
caffeine can cause damaging effects,
but it would take a lot of it to
kill you. However, even low doses
of caffeine can slow down your
brain’s learning process and impair
long-term memory. Caffeine
intake can also elevate your blood
pressure, which increases your
heart attack risk factor. Instead of
seeking caffeine as a “wake me up”,
the cure for sleep deprivation may
just be some well-earned sleep.
billion and has gained momentum
and support from countries in the
MENA region (Middle East, North
Africa) and companies from Morocco,
Tunisia, Spain, France and Italy.
The Desertec Industrial Initiative
was launched by 12 European companies
in Munich (including Munich
Re, TRES, Deutche Bank, Siemens,
ABB, Abengoa Solar, E.ON, HSH Nordbank,
Cevital, M&W Zander Holding,
Schott Solar and MAN Solar Millennium)
and since the time of its
launch, the focus has been creating
demonstration projects in Morocco
and working with governments to
enforce laws over the export of renewable
energy.
The chief technology officer
of the Renewable Energy Division of
Siemens stated that “the main challenge
is the political framework.
We need strong political support in
Northern Africa, Europe and in the
Middle East. In 2012, we want to
present a politically approved concept
of how this vision can become
reality.”
The many advantages to DII,
if it is successful, include battling
climate change, creation of jobs and
thus, improvement of the economic
development of local communities
in these areas that didn’t have these
opportunities before.
“For some countries, it can
lead to the reversal of capital flows
in the energy sector. They will get to
sell power and to generate income
rather than having the need to buy
coal, oil or gas. Other countries no
longer have to exploit their fossil
resources and they have the option
of leaving these resources to
future generations without loss of
income,” said Alexander Mohanty,
Spokesman of DII.
The main criticisms of DII
are concerns that the project is too
ambitious. However, the project has
generated an astounding amount
of money as well as interest from
prominent leaders and companies
outside of Europe. The idea is beneficial,
plausible and taken seriously
by the international community.
Not only will it help the economy of
these regions, it will help the environment
and our earth.
Benefits of Extracurriculars
By Melissa Cuellar
THE HARBINGER
Student partaking in extracurricular activity. Google Images.
Extracurricular activities
have been proven to help students
develop skills, improve academics,
relax from school stress and
increase the chances of college entrance.
“We’re looking for a commitment
to and a passion for an
activity outside of the academic
setting — we’re looking for depth
rather than breadth,” said Nanci
Tessier, a college admission director,
to the College Board.
According to Montana State
University, the students involved
in extracurricular activities tend
to become leaders, are more willing
to complete tasks, and are more
likely to voice opinions.
Doing activities outside of
the academic setting can help students
develop socializing skills and
leadership skills. Matt Craft, president
of the Iowa State University
Government of the student body,
stated that being involved teaches
students organization, and time
management skills.
Participating in extracurricular
activities also help students
relax from the quizzes and exams.
Simple things such as painting,
dance and even chess can help a
student take a break from the six
hours spent in school.
“I do Taekwondo… [and]
its sort of a way for me to get away
from all that school stress that
teachers drop on my shoulders,”
said Jorge Diego, a sophomore in
the Information and Technology
academy.
A study conducted by Darling,
Caldwell, and Smith (2005),
found that adolescents who participated
in extracurricular activities
reported higher grades, more
positive attitudes toward school,
and higher academic aspirations.
Colleges are looking for
students that show commitment to
an outside activity besides school
related things. Activities reveal a
lot about the person; extracurricular
activities show that you are able
to make a meaningful contribution,
maintain a long-term commitment,
manage your time and priorities.
“I never knew having activities
outside of school could be
so beneficial to me personally as
well as academically,” said Daniela
Serra, a sophomore in the Entrepreneurship
academy.