CAJ: Advanced infrastructure megaprojects - Desertec #4 (Why?)

Desertec

Why?

"To provide climate protection, energy security and development by generating sustainable power from the sites where renewable sources of energy are at their most abundant."

The excessive use of fossil fuels has brought about climate change, which threatens all species on Earth: animals, plants and humans. People are in danger of “overshooting the carrying capacity of planet Earth”. As a result of the ever growing economic needs, a new form of energy is needed. Renewable energy could be the obvious answer. It could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and provide energy and fresh water in the MENA region. Also, by exporting excess power from the MENA region to Europe, an export industry could be created, and Europe could save around €30/MWh.

Why solar, why deserts?

Solar radiation on deserts provides the largest accessible but least tapped form of energy on Earth. The energy coming from the Sun is 10,000 times more than it would be needed for the human civilization. Solar energy comes in the form of light at day, while due to the heat radiation it returns to outer space and provides energy throughout the day and night.

The aim of Desertec is to reclaim renewable energy without disturbing the natural environment. Deserts have the best solar radiation conditions and the collectors installed there have the least probable impact onto the biosphere. This concept is a great opportunity to form a community for energy, water and climate security and to recreate the lost balance between humankind and its environment. Research and pilot projects have to be started now, otherwise climate change will hit developing countries soon.

Why else Desertec?

The DESERTEC Concept covers a wider spectrum than just providing renewable energy resources. Among other things its goals are:

• Supporting knowledge transfer & scientific co-operation by creating a DESERTEC University Network, introducing study programs related to renewable energies in the EU-MENA region, creating the DESERTEC Knowledge Platform, which is a free, knowledge-sharing collaboration, as well as developing wind and other renewable energies in Morocco.

• Evaluating and initiating projects that could serve as models. The first of these projects is TuNur, a 2 Gigawatt solar-thermal power plant (CSP) project in Tunisia.

• Informing about DESERTEC, which happens through the press, its website, newsletter and social media, films on DESERTEC and the renewable energy revolution, Flyers, articles and books like the DESERTEC Atlas, international presentations, political work with ministries, the Arab League, the European Union and active participation at international conferences for climate protection.

Further posts on topic: Introduction, What? When?, Where?, Who?, How?