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Solar power from Saharan sun could power Europe

Experts say only a fraction of the Sahara desert, probably the size of a small country, would need to be covered to produce enough clean electricity to supply the whole of Europe.

By Eartheasy Posted Feb 1, 2010

solar_field_a Harnessing a small part of the intense power of the Sahara sun with a giant network of solar panels has the potential to provide clean energy to Europe while significantly reducing carbon emissions, and experts at the European Climate Forum and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, are considering the viability of such a plan.

A giant network of solar panels in the Sahara desert could transform Europe’s energy supply within a decade, according to Dr Anthony Patt of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Africa, if investment could be generated and transmission challenges overcome. His findings were first proposed in 2007 at the Copenhagen Climate Conference.

Experts say only a fraction of the Sahara desert, probably the size of a small country, would need to be covered to produce enough clean electricity to supply the whole of Europe.

Speaking at the Euroscience Open Forum in Barcelona, Arnulf Jaeger-Waldau of the European commission’s Institute for Energy said it would require the capture of just 0.3% of the light falling on the Sahara and Middle East deserts to meet all of Europe’s energy needs.

The scientists are calling for the creation of a series of huge solar farms – producing electricity either through photovoltaic cells, or by concentrating the sun’s heat to boil water and drive turbines – as part of a plan to share Europe’s renewable energy resources across the continent.

The arguments against renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar center on what critics cite as the inconsistency of these sources. Since wind and sun energy vary with the weather, they cannot be considered as reliable sources for large scale energy needs. Supporters counter that renewable energy supplies would be reliable with sufficient infrastructure in place, allowing solar energy to be collected wherever the sun shines or the wind blows within an energy-sharing region. The consistent supply of sunlight in the Sahara, however, addresses the both these arguments.

In fact, harnessing the Saharan sun would be particularly effective because the sunlight in this area is more intense: solar photovoltaic panels in northern Africa could generate up to three times the electricity compared with similar panels in northern Europe. Sunshine in the Sahara is a constant resource that is rarely blocked by clouds even in the winter.

While the technology for generating electricity under this plan is already within reach, delivering the power presents the greater challenge. A network of high voltage DC transmission lines would be needed to connect countries along the route between northern Africa and northern Europe. Existing infrastructure would need major re-structuring.

Competing interests also pose a challenge to establishing a transmission network through southern Europe. Southern Mediterranean countries including Portugal and Spain have already invested heavily in solar energy, and Algeria aims to export 6,000 megawatts of solar-generated power to Europe by 2020.

There would also likely be opposition from local communities across Europe unhappy about transmission cables installed near their homes. And security and governance challenges persist, especially in countries where the rule of law is weak.

Despite these challenges, Dr Anthony Patt believes harvesting the power of the Sahara is feasible, with £50bn of government investment needed over the next decade to make the scheme a reality. The cost of moving electricity over long distance has come down and private companies, he projects, may be convinced the project is an attractive investment.

Scientists working on the project admit that it would take many years and huge investment to generate enough solar energy from North Africa to power Europe but envisage that by 2050 it could produce 100 GW, more than the combined electricity output from all sources in the UK, with an investment of around €450bn.

Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s chief scientist, welcomed the proposals: “Assuming it’s cost-effective, a large scale renewable energy grid is just the kind of innovation we need if we’re going to beat climate change.”

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Posted in Science and Transportation Tags alternative energy, energy, solar

Comments

Posted by PC Monitors

Feb 3, 2010 11:12 am

But how damaging would placement of the new infrastructure be to connect 'the whole of Europe' to this giant solar grid? And it isn't really Europe that is the big player in terms of global emissions from households and industry. But taking off the critical cap, it seems to be a step in the right direction and it will stop those 'not on my land' issues people seem to have with wind turbines in Britain's countrysides.

Posted by Jerry Chan

Feb 12, 2010 3:46 am

Seems like a good idea but by covering that many acres of desert would more than disturb the natural wildlife habitat on the desert, which is a "con" that should not be overlooked in my opinion.

http://jerrchan.com

Posted by InternetSvijet

Feb 15, 2010 9:30 am

If only entire world would do similar projects to make energy without having to destroy the planet…I have example, am living in Croatia, the cost, and we have a lot of powerful winds blowing but still we haven't developed Windmills technology to use this as a source

Posted by Piyush Shekhar

Feb 19, 2010 1:21 pm

Good initiative for power.

Posted by Major Medical

Feb 24, 2010 2:22 pm

Good news for us since Europe and China will be goobling up energy for decades to come.

Posted by Industrial Monitors

Mar 3, 2010 10:18 am

Yer I see this on the news not long ago. Are they not making it bigger as we speak?

I think its a great idea and a damn good way to save money and electricity, also its a good use for the land that other wise would not be used at all. Not to mention its a great way to try and help save the enviroment at the same time

Thanks for a great read and I hope you give us more updates on this kick ass job these guys are doing.

Posted by earth warrior

Mar 6, 2010 3:18 pm

I say consider the African nations right around and IN the Sahara Desert to be in even more need of cheap, renewable, clean energy sources. Otherwise it’s just one more case of rich nations taking advantages of the resources located in poor ones.