Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation

From Wikipedia

Logo of TREC
لويول
Logo of TREC

The Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC)[1] is an initiative of the Club of Rome, the Hamburg Climate Protection Foundation and the National Energy Research Center of Jordan (NERC). It was founded in September 2003 and developed a practical concept for energy, water and climate security in EUrope, the Middle East and North Africa (short: EU-MENA) — and now it is making this concept a reality in cooperation with people in politics and business.

The core of TREC is an international network of scientists, politicians and experts in the field of renewable forms of energy and their development. The members of TREC (nearly 50 in number including His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan) are in regular contact with national governments and with private investors, aiming to communicate the benefits that may be obtained from the cooperative use of solar and wind energy and promoting specific projects in this field.

نيوليک

[سمادول] The Situation

On the one hand it's certain that up to the middle of the 21st century, humanity will have used up a majority of the fossil fuel resources available on Earth to meet the demands of power plants and vehicles (see also Peak Oil). A noticeable reduction in worldwide demands for fossil fuels is not in sight, although such a reduction is essential to contain the threat of Global Warming. And on the other hand it's also certain, that even if there was a small reduction in demand, this would merely postpone the day when fossil fuels run out.

Consequently only a shift to renewable forms of energy can be a long-term solution to looming problems of energy shortages and damage to the environment. Even though there is great potential in the European continent for wind, hydro, geothermal and solar power, the utilization of these sources of energy are comparatively costly and have a range of limitations in Europe, denseley populated as it is. Also, in Europe power demands are high in winter while solar radiation is low.

[سمادول] The Studies

HVDC-Traces analysed in the DLR-study TRANS-CSP for Trans-Mediterranean power transmission. (see external links too)
لويول
HVDC-Traces analysed in the DLR-study TRANS-CSP for Trans-Mediterranean power transmission.
(see external links too)

TREC was founded with the goal of providing clean energy for Europe and for sunbelt countries quickly and enconomically through a cooperation between the countries of EUrope, the Middle East and North Africa (short: EU-MENA). Power from deserts, as a supplement to European sources of renewable energy, can speed up the process of cutting European emissions of CO2 and it can help to increase the security of European energy supplies. At the same time, it can provide jobs, earnings and other benefits for people in North Africa. TREC has been involved in the conduct of two studies which have evaluated the potential of renewables in MENA, the expected needs for water and power in EU-MENA till now and 2050 and the potential of an intercontinental electricity transmission grid spanning the whole of EU-MENA.

Those two studies, with the short names ‘MED-CSP’ and ‘TRANS-CSP’, have been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conversation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and have been conducted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in the period from 2004 until 2006 (see external links too).

[سمادول] The Concept

For illustration: Areas of the size as indicated by the red squares would be sufficient for )Solar Thermal Power Plants to generate as much electricity as is currently consumed by the World, by Europe (EU-25) and by Germany respectively. (Data provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), 2005)(Data provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), 2005)
لويول
For illustration: Areas of the size as indicated by the red squares would be sufficient for )Solar Thermal Power Plants to generate as much electricity as is currently consumed by the World, by Europe (EU-25) and by Germany respectively. (Data provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), 2005)
(Data provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), 2005)

Satellite-based studies by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) have shown that, using less than 0.3% of the entire desert areas of the MENA region, Solar Thermal Power Plants can generate enough electricity to supply current demands in EU-MENA, and anticipated increases in those demands in the future. In addition, it has potential to alleviate shortages of fresh water in the MENA regions. Clean solar electricity can be transmitted via High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission lines throughout EU-MENA with overall transmission losses that would be no more than 10-15%. The Club of Rome and TREC are both supporting this cooperative development of solar power. The trade winds of southern Morocco may be harnessed to generate additional supplies of electricity. Countries like Egypt, Algeria, Jordan and Morocco have already shown a strong interest in this kind of cooperation.

[سمادول] The Technology

Sketch of a parabolic trough collector
لويول
Sketch of a parabolic trough collector

Transmission losses via High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission are only about 3% per 1000 km. Since Solar Thermal Power Plants in North Africa will produce about three times as much solar energy as similar power plants in Central Europe, transmission losses across EU-MENA of 10-15% are more than offset by the much larger amounts of power that are available. Although hydrogen has in the past been proposed as an energy vector, this form of transmission is very much less efficient than HVDC transmission lines. Since photovoltaics does not provide options for intrinsic energy storage and since there is no satisfactory way of storing electricity from that source, it will not play a significant role in the concept.

Solar Thermal Power Plants (also called Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Plants) use mirrors to concentrate sunlight to raise steam and generate electricity. An interesting by-product that can be a great benefit to the local population is that waste heat from the power-generation process can be used to desalinate seawater. If more solar energy is collected than is actually needed to fulfil each day’s needs, the excess heat can be stored in tanks of molten salt and then be used to power the steam turbines during the night. In order to ensure uninterrupted service during overcast periods or contrary weather, the turbines can also be powered by oil, natural gas or biomass fuels. A simplified alternative to a parabolic trough concentrator is the linear Fresnel mirror reflector.

[سمادول] The Feasibility

Capacity, Costs & Space: Possible indicators of the total EU-MENA High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnection and Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) plants from 2020 – 2050 according to the TRANS-CSP scenario.
لويول
Capacity, Costs & Space:
Possible indicators of the total EU-MENA High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnection and Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) plants from 2020 – 2050 according to the TRANS-CSP scenario.

The technologies that are needed to realise this concept are already fully developed and have been in use for decades. HVDC transmission has been utilized for many years by ABB and Siemens. At the World Energy Dialogue 2006 in Hanover, Germany, both companies have confirmed that the implementation of a Trans-Mediterranean energy cooperative is, technically, not a problem at all.

Solar Thermal Power Plants such as, for example Parabolic Trough Power Plants, have been in use commercially at Kramer Junction in California since 1985. Further solar power plants are actually planned or in construction e.g. in Nevada and Spain, with German, Spanish and US companies playing a major role. Solar Thermal Power Plants can generate electricity in the deserts of MENA at all times of the day and night, throughout the year. The DLR has calculated that, if Solar Thermal Power Plants were to be constructed in large numbers in the coming years, the estimated cost (including transmission cost) will come down to about 5 EuroCent/kWh.

In order to establish, by 2050, a transmission grid and a capacity of 100 GW of exportable solar power, over and above the domestic needs of sunbelt countries, the required governmental financial support would be less than 10 billion Euros. Given that level of support for feed-in regulations, the construction of the solar power plants and the necessary transmission grid would very soon be attractive to investors, both private and public. The whole investments would be about 400 billion Euros over 30 years. An exact investment forecast for the TRANS-CSP scenario has been researched by the DLR.

[سمادول] The Political Insecurity

Sketch of possible infrastructure for a sustainable supply of power to EUrope, the Middle East and North Africa (EU-MENA).
لويول
Sketch of possible infrastructure for a sustainable supply of power to EUrope, the Middle East and North Africa (EU-MENA).

Imports of fossil fuels such as uranium, natural gas and oil, are considered to be politically risky, since the global reserves are shrinking inexorably. This is leading to higher prices, to political dependencies and to limits on supplies. By contrast, solar power is plentiful and inexhaustible, and its extended use will lower costs and improve the technologies. Increased demand by Europe would lead to more business opportunities for the MENA countries. This in turn may help to increase political stability and improve relations between Europe and MENA.
Too large a dependence on one country and on only a few power plants can be avoided by diversifying the range of sources of renewable energy, as illustrated by the figures showing large numbers of solar power plants and wind farms in many countries — and by of the use of several different HVDC transmission lines to Europe. Possible worries about security of supply will also be reduced if there are many different owners of the facilities, both pubic and private.

The imports of clean power from the deserts may achieve a share between 10-40% in 2050. International trade in renewable energy will tend to increase the number of available sources and should help to strengthen international stability. The creation of new jobs in the MENA region should enhance its internal stability. Employment would be created in construction phase, in the maintenance of power plants, and in the generation of electricity and water for local people. There is also the possibility of generating hydrogen through inexpensive and inexhaustible supplies of energy as a possible substitute for fossil fuels for transport.

[سمادول] The Required General Conditions

As currently seen in Spain, nominal governmental aid will help to develop energy projects like TREC. Realizing the concept of TREC will only require guaranteed acceptance of the electricity and water, favourable loans and loan guarantees. A few billion Euros could kick start the investment needed for the production and transmission of solar power. Then Europe and its partner states would be able to benefit from cheap, pollution-free and inexhaustible solar power. It would also mean that nuclear power with all its many headaches could be phased out and likewise for traditional fossil power stations.

[سمادول] Advantages of Implementation of the Concept

Comparing a renewable energy strategy for Europe with a nuclear – fossil energy mix. (TRANS-CSP Study; Page 118; Table 4-4)
لويول
Comparing a renewable energy strategy for Europe with a nuclear – fossil energy mix. (TRANS-CSP Study; Page 118; Table 4-4)

[سمادول] Avoidance of negative consequences

  • Reduction of conflicts for water and fuel resources in the future.
  • Avoidance of human and financial losses from environmental disasters caused by the burning of fossil fuels and by the use of nuclear technology for the purpose of generating energy.
  • Avoidance of necessity for further nuclear power plants (as a temporary but controversial alternative to solar energy) in EU-MENA (EUrope, the Middle East and North Africa) (see also anti-nuclear).

[سمادول] Further for business sector, public and environment

  • The upgrade of desert space to potential sources of inexhaustible power-houses and water-works.
  • Long-term supplies of clean energy and drinking water for EU-MENA.
  • Transition to an economy based on knowledge and technological competence in MENA countries. This could give them the capacity to eliminate underdevelopment and poverty by their own strengths.
  • Large orders for companies involved in the construction of Thermal Solar Power Plants, wind turbines and HVDC transmission lines, as well as hundreds of thousands of jobs mainly in industry; in Europe as well as in the Middle East and in North Africa.
  • Increasingly competitive prices for electrical power via economies of scale and progressive refinement of Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP), wind power and transmission technologies.
  • With the clean energy it may become possible to produce low-priced hydrogen. Hydrogen may be used to rise the effectiveness of the Choren-Process for the production of BtL-Fuel ("SunDiesel") or to facilitate a conversion to hydrogen-fuel-cell-technology for automobiles.
  • Setting a good example for other industrial countries.

[سمادول] Measures to implement the Concept

For implementing the concept, TREC proposes an initiative that would be as ambitious as the Apollo SPACE program that took people to the moon. Beyond feed-in regulations for clean power from the deserts, this ‘DESERTEC’ Apollo program could be boosted by three projects that are technically possible, but require financial and political support:

  • Gaza Project: To build plants in Gaza for the generation of electricity and desalination of sea-water using solar energy. These plants, part of a potential international recovery programme for Gaza, could be located at suitable places in the Egyptian Sinai coastal region, with appropriate water and power lines into the Gaza strip, providing supplies for 2-3 Million people. This project could become a turning point in the currently disastrous social problems of Gaza, in the regional conflicts for water and in the stranded peace process between Israel and Palestine. The total investment required would be about $6 Billion.
  • Sana’a Project: For the Yemenite Capital Sana’a, which is faced with the exhaustion of its ground water reserves in about 15 years, to build solar-energy-based desalination and power plants near the Red Sea that co-generate fresh water for Sana’a and the power that will be needed to pump it through pipe lines to the city at an altitude of 2200 meters. This Sana’a project could avoid a looming humanitarian disaster and social unrest in Yemen, and would save a cultural heritage of world-wide significance. Moving 2 million people from Sana’a without fossil water to new settlements would cost more than $35 billion. This is very much more expensive than the $6 billion needed for the alternative plan: to let people to stay where they are living already and building solar power plants and a pipeline to supply them with water and electricity.
  • South-North grid: To begin construction of a large scale South-North grid for the transmission of clean power from desert regions to Europe, as infrastructure for energy and climate security. A high-capacity grid for the transmission of inexpensive pollution-free power to Europe would create a boom of investments in MENA countries in Solar Thermal Power Plants and wind farms. The construction of transmission grids for the first 10 GW would cost about $5 Billion.

By carrying out the first two projects, the technology of solar steam generators would be matured to a point where it would undercut the costs of most fossil fuels. Such low cost solar steam generators would facilitate the development of desert areas all over the world as abundant solar sources of abundant power and, in the vicinity of coasts, into inexhaustible sources of fresh water. Together with a South-North grid project, the Gaza and the Sana’a projects could become key projects in a ‘Copernican’ revolution towards global balance and sustainability. This would be not only safer, but also considerably cheaper than letting climate change go on and pay for the damages, as the recent Stern report is pointing out.

By the middle of the 21st century, the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East could provide most of the power needed in the MENA region, and become inexhaustible sources of clean energy for European countries, thus assisting their endeavours to bring down emission of Greenhouse gases to a sustainable level. In the scenario described in reports from the DLR, it will be possible to cut emissions of CO2 from electricity generation by 70% and phase out nuclear power at the same time.

[سمادول] Critisism

Importing electricity is risky, where political considerations are concerned. Furthermore the political barriers are high, because for a realisation of the concept a cooperation between the states of Europe (France prefers nuclear power generation) and the states of the MENA-region would be necessary. A realisation of the concept would be rather easier inside one state (e.g. Australia) or a confederation (USA).

[سمادول] External links



[سمادول] References

  1. Homepage of TREC (The whole contents of this website are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 License.)
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