View source for Desertec

{{Short description|Organization planning to install solar panels in the Sahara}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
| image               = [[File:DESERTEC Foundation large 300dpi.jpg|240px]]
| purpose             = "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."<ref name="Concept">{{Cite web
| url        = http://www.desertec.org/concept
| title        = DESERTEC Foundation: Concept
| access-date        = 26 September 2012
| archive-date        = 14 December 2012
| archive-url        = https://web.archive.org/web/20121214215821/http://www.desertec.org/concept
| url-status        = dead
}}</ref>
| key_people          = Gerhard Knies, Inventor of the Desertec Concept <br />Timo Bracht, Michael Schröder, Hubert Schwingshandl, Directors of the Desertec Foundation<ref name="Vorstand">{{cite web|title=The Team of the DESERTEC Foundation|periodical=|publisher=|url=https://www.desertec.org/about-us/|url-status=|format=|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=|date=2019|language=en|pages=|quote=}}</ref>
| subsidiaries        = [[DESERTEC Foundation]]
| affiliations        = [[Desertec#Consortium|See consortium]]
| name                = DESERTEC
| established         = 2003<br />20 January 2009
| website             = [http://www.DESERTEC.org/ DESERTEC Foundation]
}}
'''DESERTEC''' is a non-profit foundation that focuses on the production of renewable energy in desert regions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us {{!}} DESERTEC Foundation|url=https://www.desertec.org/about-us/|access-date=2021-11-16|website=www.desertec.org}}</ref> The project aims to create a global [[renewable energy]] plan based on the concept of harnessing sustainable powers, from sites where renewable sources of energy are more abundant, and transferring it through [[high-voltage direct current]] transmission to consumption centers. The foundation also works on concepts involving [[green hydrogen]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Technology {{!}} DESERTEC Foundation|url=https://www.desertec.org/technology/|access-date=2021-12-07|website=www.desertec.org}}</ref> Multiple types of renewable energy sources are envisioned, but their plan is centered around the natural climate of the deserts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DESERTEC Foundation |url=https://www.desertec.org/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=www.desertec.org}}</ref>
The Desertec Industrial Initiative evolved in several steps. The Foundation's first idea was to focus on the transmission of renewable power from the [[MENA]] region to Europe, while the next one focused on meeting the domestic demand. The project failed twice due to the problem of transportation and cost-inefficiency. The initiative was revived in 2020 with a focus on green hydrogen, catering to both domestic demand and exports to foreign markets.<ref name="CN-MP-DII-20-09">{{Cite web|url=https://ifair.eu/2020/04/03/green-hydrogen-from-the-sahara/|title=Green Hydrogen from the Sahara – A bridge between Europe and North Africa?|website=www.ifair.eu|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="CN-MP-DII-20-10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.energyvoice.com/otherenergy/225430/menas-chance-at-hydrogen-exports/|title=MENA's chance at hydrogen exports|website=www.energyvoice.com|date=26 February 2020|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="CN-MP-DII-20-11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.energynet.co.uk/article/green-hydrogen-european-green-deal-2x40-gw-initiative|title=Hydrogen : The bridge between Africa and Europe|website=www.energynet.co.uk|date=20 August 2020|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref>
==Organizations, milestones, and activities==
DESERTEC was developed by the [[Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation]] (TREC), a voluntary organisation founded in 2003 by the [[Club of Rome]] and the National Energy Research Center Jordan, made up of scientists and experts from across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (EU-MENA).<ref name="Milestones">{{Cite web
| url        = http://www.desertec.org/global-mission/milestones/
| title        = DESERTEC Foundation: Milestones
| access-date        = 24 September 2012
| archive-date        = 18 October 2012
| archive-url        = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018074046/http://www.desertec.org/global-mission/milestones
| url-status        = dead
}}</ref>
It is from this network that the DESERTEC Foundation later emerged as a non-profit organisation and started to promote their solutions around the world. Founding members of the foundation are the German Association of the [[Club of Rome]], members of the network of scientists TREC as well as committed private supporters and long-time promoters of the DESERTEC idea.
In 2009, the DESERTEC Foundation founded the [[Munich]]-based industrial initiative together with partners from the industrial and finance sectors. It aims to accelerate the implementation of the DESERTEC Concept in the focus region EU-MENA.<ref name="Milestones" />
Scientific studies done by the [[German Aerospace Center]] (DLR) between 2004 and 2007 demonstrated that the desert sun could meet rising power demand in the [[MENA]] region while also helping to power Europe, reduce carbon emissions across the EU-MENA region and power desalination plants to provide freshwater to the MENA region.<ref>
{{Cite news|date=2012|title=DESERTEC – Clean Power from Deserts, Presentation at MENAREC conference, 15–16 May 2012|work=Hani El-Nokraschy|url=http://www.menarec.org/resources/Nokraschy+20120515.pdf|access-date=September 24, 2012}}
</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|url          = http://www.euractiv.com/en/energy/steps-bring-saharan-solar-europe/article-184274
|title        = First steps to bring Saharan solar to Europe
|work         = EurActiv
|date         = 22 July 2009
|access-date  = 24 December 2010
|archive-date = 25 November 2010
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20101125204401/http://euractiv.com/en/energy/steps-bring-saharan-solar-europe/article-184274
|url-status   = dead
}}</ref> Dii published a further study called Desert Power 2050 in June 2012.<ref name="DS-P-H-02">{{Cite web | url = http://www.desertec.org/organization/dii-gmbh/ | title = DII Gmbh | date = 13 July 2009 | access-date = 18 June 2012 | archive-date = 14 December 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121214204003/http://www.desertec.org/organization/dii-gmbh | url-status = dead }}</ref> It found that the MENA region would be able to meet its needs for power with renewable energy, while exporting its excess power to create an export industry with an annual volume of more than €60 billion. Meanwhile, by importing desert power, Europe could save around 30 pounds/MW.
<ref name=ea220709>
{{Cite news
| url        = http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/26579/study-europe-could-save-30-mwh-on-desertec-power/
| title      = Study: Europe could save €30/MWh on DESERTEC power
| work       = Renewable Energy Focus | date = 26 June 2012
| access-date = 24 September 2012}}
</ref>
By taking into account land and water use, DESERTEC intends to offer an integrated and comprehensive solution to food and water shortages.{{why|date=November 2012}}<ref>
{{Cite news
| url        = http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=903:desertec-solar-on-sahara-sand&catid=38:application-tech-features&Itemid=246
| title      = DESERTEC: Solar on Sahara Sand
| work       = Solar Novus Today | date = 16 June 2010
| access-date = 24 September 2012}}
</ref><ref name="MEDCSP"/><ref>{{Cite web
| url          = http://www.desertec.org/fileadmin/downloads/DESERTEC-WhiteBook_en_small.pdf
| title        = DESERTEC WhiteBook
| version      = Revised version 2008
| access-date  = 26 September 2012
| archive-date = 22 March 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150322054014/http://www.desertec.org/fileadmin/downloads/Desertec-WhiteBook_en_small.pdf
| url-status   = dead
}}</ref>
===TREC===
[[File:Fullneed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|The red squares represent the area that would be enough for solar power plants to produce a quantity of [[Electric energy consumption|electricity consumed]] (as of 2005) by the world, the European Union (EU-25) and Germany (De). To replace [[World energy consumption|all energy consumption]] (not just electricity), areas about 5 times as large would suffice.<br />Data provided by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), 2005.]]
The DESERTEC concept originated from Dr Gerhard Knies, a German particle physicist and founder of the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC) network of researchers. In 1986, in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, he was searching for a potential alternative source of clean energy and arrived at a conclusion: in six hours, the world's deserts receive more energy from the sun than humankind consumes in a year.<ref name="KniesTriebAlt"/><ref>
{{Cite news
| url        = https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/dec/11/sahara-solar-panels-green-electricity
| title      = Could the desert sun power the world?
| work       = The Guardian | date = 11 December 2011
| access-date = 24 September 2012}}
</ref> The DESERTEC concept was developed further by TREC – an international network of scientists, experts and politicians from the field of [[renewable energies]] – founded in 2003 by the [[Club of Rome]] and the National Energy Research Center Jordan. One of the most famous members was Prince [[Hassan bin Talal]] of [[Jordan]]. In 2009, TREC emerged to the non-profit DESERTEC Foundation.<ref name=milstones>{{cite web
| publisher  = DESERTEC Foundation
| url  = http://www.desertec.org/en/global-mission/milestones/
| title  = From Vision to Reality
| access-date  = 24 December 2010
| archive-date  = 6 December 2012
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121206163637/http://www.desertec.org/en/global-mission/milestones/
| url-status  = dead
}}</ref>
===DESERTEC Foundation===
The DESERTEC Foundation was founded on 20 January 2009 with the aim of promoting the implementation of the DESERTEC Concept for clean power from deserts all over the world. It is a non-profit organisation based in [[Hamburg]]. The founding members were the German Association of the Club of Rome, members of the TREC network of scientists as well as committed private supporters and long-time promoters of the DESERTEC idea.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.desertec.org/global-mission/milestones/| title= DESERTEC Foundation: Milestones| access-date= 21 September 2012| archive-date= 18 October 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121018074046/http://www.desertec.org/global-mission/milestones| url-status= dead}}</ref>
The foundation works to accelerate the implementation of the DESERTEC Concept by:<ref name="Organization">{{Cite web
| url        = http://www.desertec.org/organization/
| title        = DESERTEC Foundation: Organization
| access-date        = 27 September 2012
| archive-date        = 10 October 2012
| archive-url        = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010080348/http://www.desertec.org/organization/
| url-status        = dead
}}</ref>
* '''Supporting knowledge transfer & scientific co-operation'''
* '''Fostering exchange & co-operation with the private sector'''
* '''Promoting the establishment of the necessary framework conditions:'''
** ''Cooperation with JREF in Asia'': In March 2012, a year after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, the DESERTEC Foundation and the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation (JREF) have signed a Memorandum of understanding. The aim is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in Asia to provide secure and sustainable alternatives to fossil and nuclear power by implementing the DESERTEC Concept in Greater East Asia (Asia Super Grid Initiative).<ref name="desertec.org">{{cite press release| url= http://www.desertec.org/en/press/press-releases/120310-01-asian-super-grid-for-renewable-energies-desertec-foundation-signs-memorandum-of-understanding/| title= DESERTEC Foundation: Asian Super Grid for Renewable Energies| access-date= 24 September 2012| archive-date= 27 October 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121027090857/http://www.desertec.org/en/press/press-releases/120310-01-asian-super-grid-for-renewable-energies-desertec-foundation-signs-memorandum-of-understanding| url-status= dead}}</ref>
* '''Evaluating and initiating projects that could serve as models'''
* '''Informing about DESERTEC'''
===Dii GmbH===
To help accelerate the implementation of the DESERTEC idea in EU-MENA, the non-profit DESERTEC Foundation and a group of 12 European companies led by Munich Re founded an industrial initiative called Dii GmbH in [[Munich]] on 30 October 2009.<ref name="DS-P-H-02"/> The other companies included Deutsche Bank, E.ON, RWE, Abengoa.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.desertec.org/en/press/press-releases/091030-01-formation-dii-gmbh/ | title = DESERTEC Foundation: Formation Dii Gmbh | date = 30 October 2009 | access-date = 24 September 2012 | archive-date = 19 September 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120919023514/http://www.desertec.org/en/press/press-releases/091030-01-formation-dii-gmbh/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>
Like the DESERTEC Foundation, Dii GmbH did not intend to build power plants itself. Instead it focused on four core objectives in EU-MENA:
:# Development of long term perspectives for the period up to 2050 providing investment and financing guidance
:# Carrying out specific in-depth studies
:# Development of a framework for feasible investments into renewable energy and interconnected grids in EU-MENA
:# Origination of reference projects to prove feasibility
[[Desertec Industrial Initiative|Dii]] GmbH aimed to create a positive investment climate for renewable energies and interconnected power grid in [[North Africa]] and the [[Middle East]] by encouraging the necessary technological, economic, political and market frameworks. This included the development of a long-term implementation perspective called Desert Power 2050 with guidance on investment and funding. [[Desertec Industrial Initiative|Dii]] GmbH has initiated selected reference projects to demonstrate overall feasibility and reduce system overall costs.<ref name="Reformulated mission of Dii">{{cite web|url=http://desertenergy.org/mission-and-vision/|title=Reformulated mission of Dii|website=desertenergy.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831040904/http://www.desertenergy.org/mission-and-vision/|archive-date=31 August 2016|access-date=25 February 2016}}</ref>
On 24 November 2011, a [[memorandum of understanding]] (MoU) was signed between the Medgrid consortium and Dii to study, design and promote an [[interconnected]] [[electrical grid]] linking DESERTEC and the [[Medgrid]] projects.<ref name="MEDG04">{{cite web |url= http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/11/huge-medgrid-joins-giant-solar-desertec-plan/ |title=Huge medgrid joins giant solar DESERTEC plan |work=greenprophet.com |date =  24 November 2011 |access-date=27 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="MEDG05">{{cite web |url= http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1448 |title=EU Commission welcomes DESERTEC and Medgrid cooperation on solar energy in North Africa and the Middle East |work=Europa (web portal) |date = 24 November 2011 |access-date=27 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="MEDG06">{{cite web|url=http://www.dii-eumena.com/fileadmin/Daten/AC_2011/Presentations/2a%20TSO/Dii_Cairo%202011_Kowal_TSO.pdf |title=Presentation from DII website – Medgrid Co developmental plan with DESERTEC project Secretary |work=dii-eumena.com |year=2011 |access-date=27 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608172628/http://www.dii-eumena.com/fileadmin/Daten/AC_2011/Presentations/2a%20TSO/Dii_Cairo%202011_Kowal_TSO.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2012}}</ref><ref name="MEDG07">{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL5E7MO26R20111124 |title= Arab Spring a short-term problem for solar-Medgrid |work=Reuters |publisher = 24 November 2011 |access-date=27 November 2011 |first=Barbara |last=Lewis |date=24 November 2011}}</ref> The Medgrid together with DESERTEC would serve as the backbone of the [[European super grid]] and the benefits of investing in [[HVDC]] technology are being assessed to reach the final goal – the [[supersmart grid]].<ref name="MEDG10">{{cite web|url=http://social.csptoday.com/emerging-markets/desertec-and-medgrid-competitive-or-compatible |title=DESERTEC and Medgrid: Competitive or compatible? |work=social.csptoday.com |date=11 March 2011 |access-date=27 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203153301/http://social.csptoday.com/emerging-markets/desertec-and-medgrid-competitive-or-compatible |archive-date=3 February 2012}}</ref> The activities of Dii and Medgrid were covered by the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP), a political initiative within the framework of the [[Union for the Mediterranean]] (UfM).
====Consortium====
The company was formed by the DESERTEC foundation and a consortium of worldwide companies.
As of March 2014, Dii consisted of 20 shareholders (listed below) and 17 associate partners.
{{colbegin|colwidth=18em}}
* {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[ABB Group|ABB]]
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Abengoa Solar]]
* {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[ACWA Power]]
* {{flagicon|Algeria}} [[Cevital]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Deutsche Bank]]
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Enel|Enel Green Power]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[E.ON]]
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[First Solar]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Solar Millennium|Flagsol]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[HSH Nordbank]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Munich Re]]
* {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Nareva]]
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Red Eléctrica de España]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[RWE]]
* {{flagicon|France}} [[Saint-Gobain|Avancis]]
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Schott AG|Schott Solar]]
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Terna (company)|Terna]]
* {{flagicon|Greece}} [[Terna Energy SA]]
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[UniCredit]]
* {{flagicon|China}} [[State Grid Corporation of China]]
{{colend}}
Managing Director of Dii GmbH has been [[Paul van Son]], a senior international energy manager.<ref>{{cite web| publisher = EFETnet| url = http://www.efetnet.org/efetnet/content/e10/e93/e244/index_en.html| title = Paul van Son| access-date = 24 December 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120620070603/http://www.efetnet.org/efetnet/content/e10/e93/e244/index_en.html| archive-date = 20 June 2012| url-status = dead}}</ref>
At the end of 2014, most shareholders left [[Desertec Industrial Initiative|Dii]] which has been described both as a "failure" and as a reorientation in project objectives.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Schmitt|first=Thomas M.|date=2018-07-03|title=(Why) did Desertec fail? An interim analysis of a large-scale renewable energy infrastructure project from a Social Studies of Technology perspective|journal=Local Environment|volume=23|issue=7|pages=747–776|doi=10.1080/13549839.2018.1469119|bibcode=2018LoEnv..23..747S |s2cid=158411176|issn=1354-9839}}</ref>
{{flagicon|Germany}} [[RWE]], {{flagicon|China}} [[State Grid Corporation of China]], {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[ACWA Power]] and a number of partner companies stayed on board to drive the new mission of Dii:<ref name="tagesspiegel.de">{{cite news|last1=P. Hoffmann|first1=Kevin|title=Desertec-Initiatitve Dii Wüstenstromfreunde sammeln sich neu in Dubai|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/desertec-initiatitve-dii-wuestenstromfreunde-sammeln-sich-neu-in-dubai/12409432.html|access-date=25 February 2016|work=tagesspiegel.de|publisher=Der Tagesspiegel|date=5 October 2015}}</ref> "To facilitate the rapid deployment of utility-scale renewable energy projects in desert areas, and to integrate them in the interconnected power systems"<ref name="tagesspiegel.de" /><ref name="Reformulated mission of Dii" />
==Concept details==
===Description===
DESERTEC is a global [[renewable energy]] solution based on harnessing sustainable power from the sites where renewable sources of energy are at their most abundant. These sites can be used thanks to low-loss High-Voltage Direct Current transmission. All kinds of renewables will be used in the DESERTEC Concept, but the sun-rich deserts of the world play a special role.<ref name="Concept" />
[[File:Fullconnection.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|DLR studies of existing and hypothetical HVDC transmission lines]]
The original and first region for the assessment and application of this concept is the EU-[[MENA]] region (European Union, Middle East and Northern Africa).<ref>{{cite web
| publisher  = Dii GmbH
| url  = http://www.dii-eumena.com/home/energy-from-deserts-more.html
| title  = Bringing the DESERTEC vision into reality
| access-date  = 24 December 2010
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120303152905/http://www.dii-eumena.com/home/energy-from-deserts-more.html
| archive-date  = 3 March 2012
| url-status  = dead
}}</ref> The DESERTEC organisations promote the generation of electricity in North Africa, the Middle East and Europe using renewable sources, such as [[solar power plants]], [[wind park]]s, and develop a Euro-Mediterranean [[electricity network]], primarily made up of high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cables.<ref>{{cite web
| publisher  = DESERTEC Foundation
| url  = http://www.desertec.org/en/global-mission/
| title  = Our Global Mission
| access-date  = 24 December 2010
| archive-date  = 6 December 2012
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121206151247/http://www.desertec.org/en/global-mission/
| url-status  = dead
}}</ref> Despite its name, DESERTEC's proposal would see most of the power plants located outside of the [[Sahara Desert (ecoregion)|Sahara Desert]] itself but rather in the surrounding areas, in the more accessible [[North Saharan steppe and woodlands|North]] and [[South Saharan steppe and woodlands|South steppes and woodlands]], as well as the relatively moist [[Atlantic Coastal Desert]]. Under the DESERTEC proposal, [[concentrating solar power]] systems, [[photovoltaic]] systems and [[wind power|wind parks]] would be spread over the wide desert regions in North Africa like the [[Sahara Desert]] and all its subdivisions.<ref name=guardian>
{{Cite news
| first = Robin | last = McKie | newspaper= [[The Observer]]
| url   = https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/dec/02/renewableenergy.solarpower
| title = How Africa's desert sun can bring Europe power
| date  = 2 December 2007 | access-date=8 December 2007 | location=London}}
</ref> The generated electricity would be transmitted to European and African countries by a [[super grid]] of [[high-voltage direct current]] cables.<ref name=nyt>
{{Cite news
| first      = James | last = Kanter
| work       = The New York Times
| url        = http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/european-solar-power-from-african-deserts/
| title      = European Solar Power From African Deserts?
| date       = 18 June 2009
| access-date = 3 July 2009}}
</ref> It would provide a considerable part of the electricity demand of the MENA countries and furthermore provide continental Europe with 15% of its electricity needs.<ref name=guardian/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desertec.org/en/global-mission/focus-region-eu-mena/ |title=DESERTEC Foundation |publisher=DESERTEC.org |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=24 April 2011 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610223148/http://www.desertec.org/en/global-mission/focus-region-eu-mena/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Exported desert power would complement Europe's transition to renewables which would be based primarily on harnessing domestic sources of energy that would increase its energy independence.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016|title=Questions and Answers|url=http://www.desertec.org/concept/questions-answers/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115114717/http://www.desertec.org/concept/questions-answers/|archive-date=2016-01-15|access-date=2021-08-01|website=Desertec Foundation}}</ref> According to a scenario by the [[German Aerospace Center]] (DLR), by 2050, investments into solar plants and transmission lines would be total €400&nbsp;billion.<ref name=TRANSCSP/> An exact proposal how to realise this scenario, including technical and financial requirements, will be designed by 2012/2013 (see [[Desertec#Desert Power 2050|Desert Power 2050]]).<ref name=bloomberg130709>
{{Cite news
| first1     = Jeremy | last1 = van Loon
| first2     = Eva | last2 = von Schaper
| agency     = [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]
| url        = https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=axTitkxai.ho
| title      = Siemens, Munich Re Start Developing Sahara Project
| date       = 13 July 2009
| access-date = 15 July 2009}}
</ref>
In March 2012, the DESERTEC Foundation started working in a further focus region. A year after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, the DESERTEC Foundation and the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation (JREF) have signed a MoU. They will exchange knowledge and know-how, and coordinate their work together to develop suitable framework conditions for the deployment of renewables and to establish transnational cooperation in Greater East Asia. The aim is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in Asia to provide secure and sustainable alternatives to fossil and nuclear power. As a part of its mission, JREF promotes the Asia Super Grid Initiative to facilitate an electricity system based fully on renewable energy. The DESERTEC Foundation sees such a grid as an important step towards the implementation of DESERTEC in Greater East Asia and has already conducted a feasibility study on potential grid corridors to make best use of the region's desert sun.<ref name="desertec.org"/>
=== Studies about DESERTEC ===
====DLR studies====
The DESERTEC Concept was developed by an international network of politicians, academics and economists, called TREC. The research institutes for renewable sources of the governments of Morocco (CDER), Algeria (NEAL), Libya (CSES), Egypt (NREA), Jordan (NERC) and Yemen (Universities of Sana'a and Aden) as well as the [[German Aerospace Center]] (DLR) made significant contributions towards the development of the DESERTEC Concept. The basic studies relating to DESERTEC were led by DLR scientist Dr. Franz Trieb working for the Institute for Technical Thermodynamics at the DLR.<ref name=milstones/> The three studies were funded by the [[German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety]] (BMU). The studies, conducted between 2004 and 2007,<ref name="DLR-H-01">[http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10200/448_read-255 DESERTEC – Solar power from the desert]</ref><ref name="DLR-H-02">{{Cite web |url=http://www.desertec.org/fileadmin/downloads/WhiteBook_Excerpt_Trieb_Steinhagen.pdf |title=The DESERTEC concept sustainable electricity and water for Europe, Middle East and North Africa |access-date=20 June 2012 |archive-date=7 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607162411/http://www.desertec.org/fileadmin/downloads/WhiteBook_Excerpt_Trieb_Steinhagen.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> evaluated the following as shown in the table below;
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Study
! Description
! Duration
! Evaluation
! Results
|-
|MED-CSP<ref name="MEDCSP">"[http://www.dlr.de/tt/med-csp/ MED-CSP:  Concentrating Solar Power for the Mediterranean Region.]{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}"  [[German Aerospace Center]] (DLR) (ITT), funded by the [[German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety]] (BMU)</ref>
|study on [[Solar thermal energy#Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants|concentrated solar power]] (CSP) for the [[Mediterranean Basin]]
|2004–2005
|evaluate the potential for [[renewable energy]] in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and availability of resources and demand for energy in the region
|
|-
|TRANS-CSP<ref name="TRANSCSP">"[http://www.dlr.de/tt/trans-csp/ TRANS-CSP:  Trans-Mediterranean interconnection for Concentrating Solar Power.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221113409/http://www.dlr.de/tt/trans-csp |date=21 February 2007 }}"  DLR ITT, funded by BMU.</ref>
|study on trans-Mediterranean interconnection and infrastructure
|2004–2006
|evaluate the potential for an integrated [[electric power transmission]] grid connecting the three regions – Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa; and the assessment of solar energy imports to Europe
|
|-
|AQUA-CSP<ref name="AQUACSP">"[http://www.dlr.de/tt/aqua-csp/ AQUA-CSP:  Concentrating Solar Power for Seawater Desalination.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312145452/http://www.dlr.de/tt/aqua-csp |date=12 March 2007 }}"  DLR ITT, funded by BMU.</ref>
|study on CSP for the [[desalination]] of sea water
|2004–2007
|evaluate the anticipated water and power needs through 2050 in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa; and the possibility to generate fresh water along with the electricity generation by the CSP
|
|}
The studies concluded that the extremely high solar radiation in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East outweighs the 10–15% transmission losses between the desert regions and Europe. This means that solar thermal power plants in the desert regions are more economical than the same kinds of plants in southern Europe. The [[German Aerospace Center]] has calculated that if solar thermal power plants were to be constructed in large numbers in the coming years, the estimated cost of electricity would come down from 0.09 to 0.22 euro/kWh to about 0.04–0.05 euro/kWh.<ref name="KniesTriebAlt">{{cite web |url= http://www.franzalt.com/index.php?pageID=60&article:oid=a5823&template=article_detail.html&flash=true |title= Sun cheaper than Oil |author= Gerhard Knies and Franz Trieb |work= franzalt.com Sun Page |year= 2006 |access-date= 20 June 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120208082546/http://www.franzalt.com/index.php?pageID=60&article:oid=a5823&template=article_detail.html&flash=true |archive-date= 8 February 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref name="GabrielSpeech">{{cite web |url= http://www.eu2007.de/en/News/Speeches_Interviews/April/0419BMBFGabriel.html |title= Innovative Policy and financing instruments for a sustainable energy policy in the European neighbourhood policy |author= [[Sigmar Gabriel]], BMU minister |publisher= eu2007.de, the website of Germany's January–June 2007 [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union|European Presidency]] |date= 19 April 2007 |access-date= 20 June 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120206042600/http://www.eu2007.de/en/News/Speeches_Interviews/April/0419BMBFGabriel.html |archive-date= 6 February 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
The [[Sahara Desert]] was chosen as an ideal location for [[solar farm]]s<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10200/448_read-255 |title= DESERTEC – Solar power from the desert |author= Franz Trieb |publisher= German Aerospace Agency (DLR)}}</ref> as it is exposed to bright sunshine nearly all the time, roughly between 80% and 97% of the daylight hours in the best cases. This is the sunniest year-round area on the planet. In the world's largest hot desert, there is an extremely vast area, covering almost the whole desert, that receives more than 3,600 h of yearly sunshine. There is also a very large area in excess of 4,000 h of sunshine annually. The highest solar radiation received on the planet is in the Sahara Desert, under the [[Tropic of Cancer]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Principles of Ecology in Plant Production |page=71 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yqxt9AmQr4EC&pg=PA71 |isbn=9781845936549 |last1=Sinclair |first1=Thomas R. |last2=Weiss |first2=Albert |year=2010 }}</ref> This results from a general, strong lack of cloud cover year-round and a geographical position under the tropics.
The annual average [[insolation]], which represents the total amount of [[solar radiation]] energy received on a given area and on a giver period, is about 2,500 kWh/(m<sup>2</sup> year) over the region and this number can soar up to almost 3,000 kWh/(m<sup>2</sup> year) in the best cases.<ref name="geni.org">http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/energytrends/currentusage/renewable/solar/solar-systems-in-the-desert/Solar-Systems-in-the-Desert.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The weather features of the Sahara Desert, especially the insolation, have a pronounced nature. The annual electricity production reaches 1,300,000 TWh at maximum in this sun-drenched area if the whole desert is covered in solar panels.<ref name="geni.org"/>
The desert is also extremely vast covering about some 9,000,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (3,474,920 sq mi), being almost as large as [[China]] or the [[United States]] and is sparsely populated, making it possible to set up large solar farms without a negative impact on inhabitants of the region, too. Lastly, sand deserts can provide [[silicon]], a raw material that is essential in the production of [[solar panel]]s.
The great African desert is relatively cloud-free all year long but it's important to note the harsh, desert climate also has some negative features such as extreme heat and sometimes dust or sand-laden winds which frequently blow over the desert and can even result in severe [[duststorm]]s or [[sandstorm]]s. Both phenomenons reduce the solar electricity productivity and the efficiency of the solar panels.
====Desert Power 2050====
Dii announced it would introduce a roll-out-plan in late 2012 which included concrete recommendations on how to enable investments in renewable energy and interconnected power grids. Dii claims to work with all key stakeholders from the international scientific and business communities as well as policy-makers and civil society to enable two or three concrete reference projects to demonstrate the feasibility of the long-term vision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://social.csptoday.com/emerging-markets/desertec-and-medgrid-competitive-or-compatible |title=DESERTEC and Medgrid: Competitive or compatible? |author=Stancich, Rikki |date=11 March 2011 |access-date=16 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203153301/http://social.csptoday.com/emerging-markets/desertec-and-medgrid-competitive-or-compatible |archive-date=3 February 2012}}</ref>
Dii developed a strategic framework for a fully integrated and decarbonized power system based on renewable energies for the entire North Africa, Middle East, and Europe ([[EUMENA]]) region in 2050. Therefore, Dii researched from the viewpoint of technology and geography what is the optimal mix of renewable energies to provide the EUMENA region with sustainable energy.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.rwe.com/web/cms/en/704362/rwe/press-news/reference-projects-to-demonstrate-feasibility/| title= Reference projects to demonstrate feasibility| access-date= 16 March 2012}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In July 2012 Dii presented the first part of its study "Desert Power 2050 – Perspectives on a Sustainable Power System for EUMENA.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.dii-eumena.com/desert-power-2050.html  | title = Executive Summary of Desert Power 2050| access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>
'''Key Findings'''
''Desert Power 2050'' demonstrates that the abundance of sun and wind in the EUMENA region will enable the creation of a joint power network that will entail more than 90 percent renewables. According to the study, such a joint power network involving North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe (EUMENA) offers clear benefits to all involved. The nations of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) could meet their expanding needs for power with renewable energy, while developing an export industry from their excess power which could reach an annual volume worth more than 60 billion euros, according to the study results. By importing up to 20 percent of its power from the deserts, Europe could save up to 30 euros for each megawatt-hour of desert power.
The north and south would become the powerhouses of this joint network, supported by wind and hydropower in Scandinavia, as well as wind and solar energy in the MENA region. Supply and demand would complement one other – both regionally and seasonally – according to the findings of ''Desert Power 2050''. With its constant supply of wind and solar energy throughout the year, the MENA region can cover Europe's energy needs without the latter having to build costly excess capacities. A further benefit of the power network is the enhanced security of supply to all nations concerned. A renewables-based network would lead to mutual reliance among the countries involved, complemented by inexpensive imports from the south and the north.
'''Methodology'''
''Desert Power 2050'' presents the full perspective of the EUMENA region, which includes, for instance, the growing consumption of power in the MENA states. The power requirements of the MENA states are likely to more than quadruple by 2050, totalling more than 3000 terawatt hours. Unlike in Europe, the population will also grow considerably by the middle of the century, thus heightening the demand for new jobs.
Analysing the design of a power system built to include more than 90% renewables 40 years into the future is necessarily subject to major uncertainties on a range of assumptions. To address these uncertainties Dii analysed so-called sensitivities, or perspectives, to show how the results react to changed parameters. Dii has analysed a total of 18 perspectives on the EUMENA power supply in 2050. They cover a wide range of major impact factors on the attractiveness of power system integration. The main message of the study: grid integration across the Mediterranean is valuable under all foreseeable circumstances.
'''Second Phase'''
Desert energy could be a stimulus for growth and make an important contribution when it comes to coping with the social and economic challenges in North Africa and the Middle East. Dii announced that a second phase of Desert Power 2050, ''Getting Started'', will examine this topic in greater depth in the next few months, with discussions including political, scientific and industrial stakeholders. The objective is to formulate recommendations for the regulatory steps required in the years to come.
===Benefits===
{{See also|Earth's energy budget}}
More energy falls on the world's deserts in six hours than the world consumes in a year, and the Saharan desert is virtually uninhabited and is close to Europe. Supporters say that the project will keep Europe "at the forefront of the fight against climate change and help North African and European economies to grow within [[greenhouse gas emissions|greenhouse gas emission]] limits".<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |last=Pfeiffer |first=Tom |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE57N00920090824?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=11613 |title=Europe's Saharan power plan: miracle or mirage? |work=Reuters |date=23 August 2009 |access-date=24 April 2011}}</ref> DESERTEC officials say the project could one day deliver 15&nbsp;percent of Europe's electricity and a considerable part of MENA's electricity demand.<ref name="reuters"/> According to the DESERTEC Foundation, the project has strong job creation potential and could improve the stability in the region.<ref name=DESERTEC_Press_Release>
{{Cite press release
| publisher  = DESERTEC Foundation | date = 28 September 2011
| url        = http://www.desertec.org/press/press-releases/110928-01-jobs-and-prospects-for-young-north-africans/
| title      = Jobs and prospects for young North Africans
| access-date = 4 November 2011}}
</ref> According to the report by [[Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy]] and the Club of Rome, the project could create 240,000&nbsp;German jobs and generate €2&nbsp;trillion worth of electricity by 2050.<ref name=reuters020709>
{{Cite news
| first      = Erik |last= Kirschbaum | publisher= Reuters | date = 2 July 2009
| url        = https://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE56153V20090702?sp=true
| title      = German study sees job boom from Sahara solar project
| access-date = 3 July 2009}}</ref>
===Technology===
[[File:DESERTEC-Map large.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Sketch of possible infrastructure for a sustainable supply of power to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (EU-MENA) (Source: DESERTEC Foundation, www.desertec.org)]]
====Concentrated solar power====
[[File:SolarStirlingEngine.jpg|thumb|[[Solar thermal energy#Dish designs|Dish Stirling]]]]
[[Concentrated solar power]] (also called concentrating solar power and CSP) systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight, or solar thermal energy, onto a small area. Electrical power is produced when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine (usually a steam turbine) connected to an electrical power generator. Molten salt can be employed as a thermal energy storage method to retain thermal energy collected by a solar tower or solar trough so that it can be used to generate electricity in bad weather or at night. Since solar fields feed their heat energy into a conventional generation unit with a steam turbine, they can be combined without any problem with fossil fuel hybrid power plants. This hybridisation secures energy supply also in unfavourable weather and at night without the need of accelerating costly compensatory plants. A technical challenge is the cooling which is necessary for every heating power system. Dii is therefore reliant either on an adequate water supply, coastal facilities or improved cooling technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dlr.de/tt/Portaldata/41/Resources/dokumente/institut/system/projects/MED-CSP_Executive_Summary_Final.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - MED-CSP_Executive_Summary_Final.doc |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.schott.com/solar/english/download/schott_memorandum_e.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307114351/http://www.schott.com/solar/english/download/schott_memorandum_e.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2012}}</ref>
====Photovoltaics====
Dii also considers [[photovoltaics]] (PV) as a technology suitable for desert power plants. Photovoltaics is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. Materials presently used for photovoltaics include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide/sulfide. Driven by advances in technology and increases in manufacturing scale and sophistication, the cost of photovoltaics has declined steadily since the first solar cells were manufactured.
In 2010, [[First Solar]], a producer of thin film solar panels, joined Dii as associated partner.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ford |first=Dana |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-firstsolar-desertec-idUSTRE62F1EU20100316 |title=First Solar joins DESERTEC solar project |date=16 March 2010 |work=Reuters |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref> The US based company already has experience with huge PV installations, and has constructed the 550 megawatt [[Desert Sunlight Solar Farm]] and [[Topaz Solar Farm]] in [[California]], which are the [[List of photovoltaic power stations|biggest two PV installations of the world]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desertsunlight.com/Overview |title=550MW (AC) Desert Sunlight Solar Farm - First Solar |publisher=Desertsunlight.com |access-date=23 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410123239/http://www.desertsunlight.com/Overview |archive-date=10 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
====Wind energy====
As also parts of the desert regions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) come with high wind potential, Dii is examining in which geographic regions the installation of wind farms is suitable. Wind turbines produce electricity by wind turning the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator which produces electricity. The Sahara Desert is one of the windiest areas on the planet, especially on the western coast where lies the Atlantic coastal desert along Western Sahara and Mauritania. The annual average wind speed at the ground greatly exceeds 5&nbsp;m/s in most of the desert, and even approach 8&nbsp;m/s or 9&nbsp;m/s along the western ocean coast. It's important to note that wind speed increases with height. The regularity and the constancy of winds in arid regions are major assets for wind energy, too. The winds blow nearly constantly over the desert and there are generally no windless days during throughout the year. Therefore, the desert of North Africa is also an ideal location to install large-scale [[wind park]]s and [[wind turbine]]s with very good productivity.
====High-voltage direct current (HVDC)====
[[File:HVDC Europe.svg|thumb|
{{legend|#F80E34|Existing links}}
{{legend|#10BF45|Under construction}}
{{legend|#0E25F8|Proposed}}]]
{{see also|List of HVDC projects#Europe|European Supergrid}}
To export renewable energy produced in the MENA desert region, a [[high-voltage direct current]] (HVDC) electric power transmission system is needed.<ref name="DSRTC-HVDC-01">{{Cite web |url=http://www.esc.ethz.ch/publications/newsletter/ESC_NL_May10.pdf |title=Page 5 {{!}} The grid – a key factor in the future power |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619105847/http://www.esc.ethz.ch/publications/newsletter/ESC_NL_May10.pdf |archive-date=19 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> High Voltage DC (HVDC) technology is a proven and economical method of power transmission over very long distances and also a trusted method to connect [[wikt:asynchronous|asynchronous]] [[Utility grid|grids]] or grids of different frequencies. With HVDC energy can also be transported in both directions.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/pool/hq/power-transmission/HVDC/HVDC_Proven_Technology_.pdf | title=Siemens Website | access-date=10 April 2012 | archive-date=15 December 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215151419/http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/pool/hq/power-transmission/HVDC/HVDC_Proven_Technology_.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> For long-distance transmission HVDC suffers lower electrical losses than [[alternating current]] (AC) transmission. Because of the higher solar radiation in MENA, the production of energy, even with the included transmissions losses, is still advantageous over the production in South Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dlr.de/tt/Portaldata/41/Resources/dokumente/institut/system/projects/TRANS-CSP-Executive_Summary_Final.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - TRANS-CSP-Executive Summary_Final-Final.doc |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref>
Also very long distance projects have already been realised with technological cooperation from ABB and Siemens – both shareholders of Dii; namely the 800 kV HVDC [[Xiangjiaba]]-[[Shanghai]] transmission system, which was commissioned by [[State Grid Corporation of China]] (SGCC) in June 2010. The HVDC link is the most powerful and longest transmission of its kind to be implemented anywhere in the world; and at the time of commissioning, transmitted 6,400 MW of power over a distance of nearly 2,000 kilometres.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/pool/hq/power-transmission/HVDC/HVDC_References.pdf | title=Siemens Website | access-date=10 April 2012 | archive-date=27 August 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827173322/http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/pool/hq/power-transmission/HVDC/HVDC_References.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> This is longer than would be needed to link MENA and Europe. Siemens Energy has equipped the sending converter station Fulong for this link with ten DC converter transformers, including five rated at 800 kV.
The second HVDC project which is also for SGCC with cooperation from ABB, is a new HVDC link of 3,000 MW over 920 kilometres from Hulunbeir, in Inner Mongolia, to Shenyang in the province of Liaoning in the North-Eastern part of China in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abb.com/industries/ap/db0003db004333/d913687e8c5f79d5c1257749003c252d.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719172926/http://www.abb.com/industries/ap/db0003db004333/d913687e8c5f79d5c1257749003c252d.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2012 |access-date=3 April 2012 |title=The ABB Group }}</ref> Another project scheduled for 2014 commissioning – is the construction of an ±800 kV North-East UHVDC link from the North-Eastern and Eastern region of India to the city of Agra across a distance of 1,728 kilometres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abb.com/industries/ap/db0003db004333/9716a8ac9879236bc125785200694f18.aspx |title=ABB North-East Agra – ABB HVDC Reference Projects in Asia (HVDC References) |publisher=Abb.com |date=22 September 2011 |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref>
Another project of this type is the [[Rio Madeira HVDC system]] a HVDC link of {{convert|2375|km|mi}}.<ref name=EPE>Esmeraldo, P.C.V., Araujo, E.M.A., Carvalho, D.S. Jr.,  [http://www.e-cigre.org/bib/B4_306_2010.pdf HVDC Madeira Transmission System – Planning Development and Final Design], [[International Council on Large Electric Systems|CIGRÉ]] session, Paris, 2010, Paper B4-306.</ref>
== Projects ==
[[File:Solar Array.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Arrays of parabolic troughs]]
The [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]] covers huge parts of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan and Tunisia. It is one of three distinct physiographic provinces of the African massive physiographic division.
The first solar and wind power projects in North Africa have already begun. [[Algeria]] initiated a unique project in 2011 dealing with Hybrid power generation which combines a 25 MW concentrating solar power array in conjunction with a 130 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant [[Hassi R'Mel integrated solar combined cycle power station]].
Other countries like Morocco have set up ambitious plans on the implementation of renewable energy. The [[Ouarzazate solar power station]] in Morocco for example, with the capacity of 500 MW, will be one of the largest concentrated solar plants in the world.<ref>{{cite news
| url        = https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/nov/02/morocco-solar-farm-renewables
| title      = Morocco to host first solar farm in €400bn renewables network
| first      = Leo |last= Hickman |date= 2 November 2011 |work=The Guardian
| access-date = 23 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release
| url   = http://www.bmu.de/english/current_press_releases/pm/48190.php
| title   = Germany supports Morocco's solar plan
| date   = 15 December 2011
| access-date   = 23 March 2012
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20120323190310/http://www.bmu.de/english/current_press_releases/pm/48190.php
| archive-date   = 23 March 2012
| url-status   = dead
}}</ref>
In 2011, the DESERTEC Foundation started to evaluate projects that could serve as models for the implementation of DESERTEC according to its sustainability criteria. The first of these is the [[TuNur solar power plant]] in Tunisia that is planned to have 2&nbsp;GW of capacity. Creating up to 20,000 direct and indirect local jobs, its plants include dry-cooling systems that reduce water usage by up to 90%. Construction is planned to begin in 2014, and export power to Italy by 2016. A video on YouTube explains this project.<ref name="TuNur">
{{Cite web
| url        = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqJPreSAFOM
| title      = DESERTEC Foundation: TuNur
| website = [[YouTube]]
| access-date = 27 September 2012}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url        = http://www.nurenergie.com/index.php/english/projects/tunisia
| title      = Tunisia
| publisher  = Nur Energie
| access-date = 23 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release
|url          = http://www.desertec.org/press/press-releases/120124-01-desertec-foundation-tunisian-sun-will-light-european-homes-by-2016/
|title        = Tunisian sun will light European homes by 2016
|date         = 24 January 2012
|publisher    = DESERTEC
|access-date  = 23 March 2012
|archive-date = 30 March 2012
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120330011230/http://www.desertec.org/press/press-releases/120124-01-desertec-foundation-tunisian-sun-will-light-european-homes-by-2016/
|url-status   = dead
}}</ref>
Talks with the [[Moroccan government]] had been successful and the Dii confirmed their first reference project would be in [[Morocco]].<ref>
{{cite news
| url        = https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE61G0I820100217
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120614175751/http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE61G0I820100217
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 14 June 2012
| title      = Solar project DESERTEC plans to add five partners: CEO
| work     = Reuters | date= 17 February 2010
| access-date = 24 December 2010}}
</ref> As a partner in a beginning partnership between Europe and MENA Morocco is especially well-suited since a grid connection from Morocco via Gibraltar to Spain already exists. Also the Moroccan government enacted a program to support renewable energies.<ref>{{cite news
|url          = http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201003125156/Energy/renewable-energy-potential-turning-morocco-into-green-future.html
|title        = Renewable energy turning Morocco into green future
|work         = [[Global Arab Network]]
|date         = 12 March 2010
|access-date   = 24 December 2010
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111008041356/http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201003125156/Energy/renewable-energy-potential-turning-morocco-into-green-future.html
|archive-date = 8 October 2011
|url-status     = dead
}}</ref> In June 2011, Dii signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN).<ref>
{{cite news
| url        = http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/morocco-is-key-testing-ground-for-desertec-solar-farm-project
| title      = Morocco is key testing ground for DESERTEC solar-farm project
| newspaper  = The National | first = April | last = Yee | date= 26 June 2011
| access-date = 23 July 2011}}
</ref> MASEN will act as a project developer and will be responsible for all important project steps in Morocco. Dii will promote the project and its financing in the [[European Union]] in Brussels as well as in national governments. This reference project, with a total capacity of 500&nbsp;MW, will be a combination of concentrated solar power plants (400&nbsp;MW) and photovoltaics (100&nbsp;MW). The first available power from the joint Dii/MASEN project could be fed into the Moroccan and Spanish grids between 2014 and 2016, depending on the selected technology and market conditions. Based on the current estimate the total costs are €2&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://euobserver.com/1021/115033 | title = Sahara wind and sun to power EU homes | last= Ebels |first=Philip |date=2 February 2012 | access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/dec/11/sahara-solar-panels-green-electricity| title = Could the desert sun power the world? |last= Hickman |first=Leo |work=The Guardian  |date=11 December 2012 | access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref>
In April 2010, Dii emphasised that the power plant won't be installed in the region of [[Western Sahara]] which is administered by Morocco. An official spokesperson of Dii made the following confirmation: "Our reference projects will not be located in the region. When looking for project sites, the DII will also take political, ecological or cultural issues into consideration. This procedure is in line with the funding policies of international development banks."<ref>{{Cite news| title = Solar giant DESERTEC to avoid Western Sahara | url = https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/desertec-western-sahara | newspaper = The Guardian | date = 23 April 2010 | access-date =22 May 2010 | location=London | first=Zara | last=Maung}}</ref>
In [[Tunisia]], STEG Énergies Renouvelables, a subsidiary of the Tunisian state utility company STEG, and Dii are currently{{when|date=November 2019}} working on a pre-feasibility study. The study focuses on substantial solar and wind energy projects in Tunisia. Research will address the technical and regulatory conditions for the supply of energy in local networks for the export of power to neighbouring countries as well as Europe.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://allafrica.com/stories/201011081266.html | title = Tunisia: Nation and DESERTEC Sign MoU | date=5 November 2010 | access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> Besides financing of the project will be analysed.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.rechargenews.com/business_area/finance/article252057.ece| title = Tunisia still in running for DESERTEC role despite turmoil| author= Stromsta, Karl-Erik |date=12 April 2011 | access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref>
[[Algeria]], which offers excellent conditions for renewable energy, is considered as a potential location for a further reference project. In December 2011, the Algerian energy supplier [[Sonelgaz]] and Dii signed a Memorandum of Understanding on their future collaboration in the presence of EU Energy Commissioner [[Günther Oettinger]] and the Algerian Minister for Energy and Mining [[Youcef Yousfi]]. The focus of this cooperation will be the strengthening and the exchange of technical expertise, joint efforts in market development and the progress of renewable energy in Algeria as well as in foreign countries.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.europolitics.info/externa-policies/dii-and-sonelgaz-agree-to-cooperate-in-algeria-art320850-44.html |title= Dii and Sonelgaz agree to cooperate in Algeria |last= Kugyela |first= Tamás |date= 9 December 2011 |access-date= 23 March 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120316121126/http://www.europolitics.info/externa-policies/dii-and-sonelgaz-agree-to-cooperate-in-algeria-art320850-44.html |archive-date= 16 March 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
Since the Euro-Mediterranean projects, Medgrid and DESERTEC are both attempting to generate solar energy from deserts and complement each other, a [[Memorandum of understanding|MoU]] was signed on 24 November 2011 between Medgrid and Dii to study, design and promote an [[interconnected]] [[electrical grid]] linking both projects.<ref name="MEDG04"/><ref name="MEDG05"/><ref name="MEDG06"/> The plan is to build five interconnections at a cost of around 5 billion euros ($6.7 billion), including between [[Tunisia]] and [[Italy]].<ref name="MEDG07"/><ref name="MEDG13">{{cite web|url=http://www.europolitics.info/sectoral-policies/more-interconnections-are-needed-within-and-beyond-the-eu-art315137-14.html |title=More interconnections are needed within and beyond the EU |publisher=europolitics.info |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=24 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316092500/http://www.europolitics.info/sectoral-policies/more-interconnections-are-needed-within-and-beyond-the-eu-art315137-14.html |archive-date=16 March 2012}} by Tamás Kugyela</ref> The activities of Dii and Medgrid are covered by the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP), a political initiative within the framework of the [[Union for the Mediterranean]] (UfM).
In March 2012 Dii, [[Medgrid]], [http://www.friendsofthesupergrid.eu/ Friends of the supergrid] and [http://www.renewables-grid.eu/ Renewables Grid Initiative] signed a joint declaration to support the effective and complete integration, in a single electricity market, of renewable energy from both large-scale and decentralised sources, which shall not be played out against each other in Europe and in its neighbouring regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medgrid-psm.com/en/2012/03/no-transition-without-transmission/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103165228/http://www.medgrid-psm.com/en/2012/03/no-transition-without-transmission/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=No Transition without Transmission |publisher=Medgrid-psm.com |date=21 March 2012 |access-date=7 June 2012 }}</ref>
==Obstacles==
Some experts – such as Professor Tony Day, director of the Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Building at London South Bank University,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8370642.stm | agency=Reuters| title=Solar power technology takes its next step  | date=23 November 2009}}</ref> Henry Wilkinson of Janusian Security Risk Management,<ref name="reuters" /> and Wolfram Lacher of Control Risks consultancy<ref name="reuters" />  – are concerned about political obstacles to the project. Generating so much of the electricity consumed in Europe and in Africa would create a political dependency on North African countries which had corruption before [[Arab Spring]] and a lack of cross-border coordination. Moreover, DESERTEC would require extensive economic and political cooperation between [[Algeria]] and [[Morocco]], which is at risk as the border between the two countries is closed due to a disagreement over the [[Western Sahara]], Inram Kada by EUMENA, is responsible for expediting the project. Cooperation between the states of Europe and the states of the Middle East and North Africa is also certain to be challenging. Large scale cooperation necessary between the EU and the North African nations the project may be delayed due to bureaucratic red tape and other factors such as expropriation of assets.<ref name="reuters" />
There are also concerns that the water requirement for the solar plant to clean dust off panels and for turbine coolant may be detrimental to local populations in terms of the demand it will place on the local water supply.<ref name="reuters"/> An EU innovation supported project however resulted in the development of a [[silicone]] based film with a [[Nano-|nano]]-[[Dendrite (crystal)|dendrite]] structure on it.  The film is fused on top of the solar panels and the nano-dendrite structure makes that sand, water, salt, bacteria, molds, etc. can't attach to the photovoltaic panels.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.bluenergy-ag.net/English/tech_solar.html | title=Bluenergy AG Worldwide}}</ref>
Opposed to this, studies point out the generation of fresh water by the solar thermal plants.<ref name="AQUACSP"/> Furthermore, no significant amount of water is needed for cleaning and cooling, since alternative technologies can be used (dry cleaning, dry cooling<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.energy.ca.gov/pier/conferences+seminars/2005-06_advanced_cooling_conference/papers/F_Advanced_Heller_System_Technical_2005.pdf |title= Advanced Heller System – Technical_2005_feb |access-date= 24 April 2011 |archive-date= 10 March 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120310055614/http://www.energy.ca.gov/pier/conferences+seminars/2005-06_advanced_cooling_conference/papers/F_Advanced_Heller_System_Technical_2005.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>). However, dry cooling is more expensive, technologically challenging and less efficient than the water cooling currently planned. Plans for water desalination for cooling purposes are not part of the DESERTEC business plan or cost estimates as proposed.
The late [[Hermann Scheer]] ([[Eurosolar]]) pointed out that the doubled solar radiation in the Sahara can not be the only criterion especially with its continuous [[trade wind]]s there {{clarify span|being problematic|date=October 2012}}.<ref name="nano2010510">interview with [[Hermann Scheer]] by correspondent [[:de:Stefan Schulze-Hausmann]], TV contributions "Zukunftsstadt Masdar" and "DESERTEC", [[:de:nano (Sendung)]], 3sat, 10. May 2010</ref>
Transmitting energy over long distances has been criticized{{Who|date=November 2010}}, with questions raised over the cost of cabling compared to energy generation, and over electricity losses. However, the study and current operating technology show that electricity losses using [[high-voltage direct current]] transmission amount to only 3% per 1,000&nbsp;km (10% per 3,000&nbsp;km).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/en/power-transmission/hvdc/hvdc-ultra/ |title=Ultra HVDC Transmission System – Siemens |publisher=Energy.siemens.com |access-date=24 April 2011}}</ref>
Investment may be required within Europe in a "[[supergrid]]".<ref name=Cook>{{cite web|author=Nick Cook |url=http://www.DESERTEC.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38 |title=DESERTEC Forum |access-date=16 January 2009 |date=2007-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305044202/http://www.desertec.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38 |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref> In response, one proposal is to cascade power between neighbouring states so that states draw on the power generation of neighbouring states rather than from distant desert sites.<ref name=Wolff>{{cite web  | author=Gerry Wolff  | url=http://www.trec-uk.org.uk/elec_eng/cascade.html  | title=The Cascading Principle  | access-date=16 January 2009  | date=2009-01-16  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420125235/http://www.trec-uk.org.uk/elec_eng/cascade.html  | archive-date=20 April 2013  | url-status=dead  }}</ref>
One key question will be the cultural aspect, as Middle Eastern and African nations may need assurance that they will own the project rather than it being imposed from Europe.<ref name=zukunftstreff>{{cite web | author= DESERTEC | url= http://www.zukunftstreff.info/science/1-aktuelle-nachrichten/80-europes-dream-of-endless-energy.html | title= Economic and cultural aspects of DESERTEC Project | date= 16 July 2008 | access-date= 6 August 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080925083606/http://www.zukunftstreff.info/science/1-aktuelle-nachrichten/80-europes-dream-of-endless-energy.html | archive-date= 25 September 2008 | url-status= dead }}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Energy}}
{{colbegin|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Medgrid]]
* [[European super grid]]
* [[Intermittent energy source]]
* [[List of HVDC projects]]
* [[North Sea Offshore Grid]]
* [[Renewable energy in Morocco]]
* [[Relative cost of electricity generated by different sources]]
* [[Solar energy in Israel]]
* [[Solel]]
* [[SuperSmart Grid]]
* [[Wind power in Morocco]]
* [[SunCable]] Australia - Singapore
{{colend}}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|Desertec}}
* [http://www.DESERTEC.org/ DESERTEC Foundation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101230131700/http://www.dii-eumena.com/ Dii GmbH]
{{Renewable energy by country}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Proposed electric power transmission systems]]
[[Category:Renewable energy in the European Union]]
[[Category:Energy in Africa]]
[[Category:2009 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:Energy companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Macro-engineering]]
[[Category:Foundations based in Germany]]