Presentation on DESERTEC Project

Critical Analysis of DESERTEC

P. Prachurja, R. Basnet, S. Klawiter & K. Shah

Renewable Energy Management, Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg

24.07.2014

P. Prachurja, R. Basnet, S. Klawiter & K. Shah (Renewable Energy Management, Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg)DESERTEC 24.07.2014 1 / 30

Outline

1 Introduction2 Technology3 Economic aspects4 Socio-political aspect5 Recommendations6 Conclusion7 References Solar Power from Mirrors in the

Desert


Introduction

Concept of DESERTEC

Deserts as almost inexhaustible energy sourceDirect sunlight and wind power readily available in desert sites of MENAregion can be converted into electricity using available technology andtransported via HVDC lines to meet the energy demand of 90% of worldpopulation.

Inclusion of locally available energy sourcesAlong side the development of RE technologies, locally available fossil orconventional sources are also considered.

Participation of civil societyFor the success of the project paritication of broad civil society is anessential factor


Introduction

Concept of DESERTEC

Figure 1 : DESERTEC Concept (Klawiter, 2010).


Introduction

Important milestones

2003-2007: Development of the DESERTEC Concept by TREC

2007: Presentation of the WhiteBook for DESERTEC in EU-MENA

2008: Launch of the Solar Plan of the Union for the Mediterranean(UfM)

2009: Establishment of the DESERTEC Foundation and DII

2010: Foundation of the industrial initiative Transgreen/Medgrid

2010: Foundation of the DESERTEC University Network

2011, 2012, 2013: Projects in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt


Introduction

Key Actor involved with DESERTEC

Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC)Club of RomeHamburg Climate Protection FoundationNational Energy Research Center (NRC) of JordanGerman Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation andNuclear Safety (BMU)DESERTEC FoundationDESERTEC Industrial Initiative (DII)


Introduction

DESERTEC Foundation

Established in 2009Founding members are-

various scientists of TREC,the German Association of the Club of Romeprivate commi�ers and long-term promoters of the DESERTEC concept

DESERTEC Foundation can be regarded as ”the guardian” of theconcept


Introduction

DESERTEC Industrial Initiative

Founded in October, 2009To undertake further steps towards implementation, such as theestablishing suitable framework conditions, undertaking feasibilitystudies and developing project plansFounding members are-

DESERTEC FoundationMunich Re (Insurance Company)Deutsche Bank(Project finance provider)Siemens, SCHOTT solar

During 2010, the DII enhanced its network to include 18 shareholdersand 32 associated partners from 13 countries


Technology

Technological Aspect of DESERTEC


Technology

Technological aspects of DESERTEC

Technological focus of DESERTEC is based on Concentrated SolarThermal Power (CSP) and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)transmission lines.

For long term success, the project need to combine multipurposetechnologies.

For example- CSP plants near the coastal region can be combined withseawater desalination plants, so that they not only produce electricity,but also drinking water.


Technology

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines

The line losses are very low–only around 3% per 1000 km.

The extra cost is only 1-2cents per kilowa� hour.

Lines take up less space thanconventional AC power lines.

Can be laid over longdistances underground.

Figure 2 : Cross-section of submarineHVDC cable (13 cm).

Figure 3 : Schematic of typical HVDC transmission system.


Technology

Proposed HVDC network

Figure 4 : Schematic of DESERTEC’s HVDC transmission network.


Technology

Technical advantages of HVDC lines

A comparison between typical transmission losses of HVDC andconventional AC lines are presented in table below for transmission of 5 GWelectricity.

Table 1 : Comparision of transmission losses between HVDC and HVAC

Parameter Unit HVAC HVDCOperation Voltage kV 750 1150 ± 600 ± 800overhead line losses %/ 1000 km 8% 6% 5% 2.5%sea cable losses %/ 100 km 60% 50% 0.33% 0.25%terminal losses %/ station 0.2% 0.2% 0.7% 0.6%


Technology

Concentrating Solar Thermal Power

Figure 5 : Various CSP systems.

Figure 6 : Schematic of a typical CSP power plant.P. Prachurja, R. Basnet, S. Klawiter & K. Shah (Renewable Energy Management, Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg)DESERTEC 24.07.2014 14 / 30

Economic aspects

Economic Aspects of DESERTEC


Economic aspects

Economic advantages of HVDC transportation

A comparison between typical transmission losses of HVDC andconventional AC lines are presented in table below for transmission for 5GW electricity.

Table 2 : Cost comparison of HVDC and HVAC transmission lines

Parameter Unit HVAC HVDCOperation Voltage kV 750 1150 ± 600 ± 800overhead line cost M€/ 1000 km 400-750 1000 400-450 250-300sea cable cost M€/ 100 km 3500 5900 2500 1800terminal cost M€/ station 80 80 250-300 250-300


Economic aspects

Economic advantages of HVDC transportation

Figure 7 : Cost curves for bothHVAC and HVDC lines.

HVDC be�er adapted fortransporting energy overmore than 1000 km.

Summarized we get anenergy loss of about 3%per 1000 km for HVDC.


Economic aspects

Economic problems

Who pays for it?

Generating power with CSPs is not profitable in comparison toconventional possibilities

Not many investors are interested at the moment

The involved companies are able to a�ord only about 30% of the costs

It is not possible to schedule such a big project properly or to estimatethe costs correctly


Socio-political aspect

Social Aspects of DESERTEC



Energy Trends in MENA Region

30% growth rate of renewable energies annually since 2000RE is now part of all MENA countries energy policies (developed in last5 years)Electric demand predicted to be 6-8% with growing population andgrowing number of appliances per capita

Figure 8 : MENA regional map



Shareholders

Laborers: employees, contractors, and subcontractorsEnvironment

locals and indigenous peoplesMENA countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait,Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Qatar, SaudiArabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen

Social, political, and welfare rightsAnyone else whose is a�ectedEU member states



Criticism: Energy Colonialism

HVDC lines take the energyfrom the Sahara to Europewithout the local reapingbenefits

Protest at World Social Forum in2013 headed by Tunisianrepresentative

No voice for the poor andmarginalized locals – onlyinvestors

Figure 9 : Cartoon- energy colonialism

Egyptian diplomat said:”Why shall we limit ourselves to export fruit to Europe? Why not solar energy?This would boost sustainable development much more!”



Positive social impacts

Enough energy for desalinizationProvide clean water for growing populationProvide agriculture & food production

Jobs1,000 permanent jobs would be created in the regionFactory and production jobs for the CSPAvailability of mining jobs

Rare earth elements in the desertMining generally is very energy intensive, so renewable energy can beproduced very close to where it is used

Money: For example, 60% of desertec investments would be keptwithin the country



Set-Backs in Planning

Since its initial proposal and planning stage, key investors (like Boschand Siemens) have pulled outSpain backs out of supporting the plant in Ouarzazate, Morocco

Should have been a 500 MW projectOther projects were to follow in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria

Spiegel says:”DESERTEC is primarily an idea out of the back room of the Club of Rome,that body of mostly old men who ponder how to save the world.”



Current status of DESERTEC

A group of 37 members will take on the project

EUROSOL, based in Ludwigshafen, is a partner. As is Desertec Power,based in Hamburg

First phase is to build 37 GW in 15 MENA (middle east / north Africa)countries within the next decade

This will further be developed to produce hundreds of GW


Recommendations

Recommendations

Energy AllocationMajority of production should be used in MENA region. Not only HVDClines, also low and medium AC lines should be used

Land and Water RightsWater of CSP may reduce water for the peopleLand used for CSP may be inconvenient, valuable, or sacred for localpeopleConflict between energy production and energy production b/c of waterrequirements

Employment: Training should be granted for local workers. Especiallybecause-

there is a large wave of young workers entering the work force nowunemployment is high


Conclusion

Conclusion

In summary-

The DESERTEC concept is based on extensive utilisation of RE andnotion of sustainability

There are no severe technological barriers

However the global aim is still characterised by an extraordinarydegree of insecurity

The socio-political scenarios prevailing in MENA region must beconsidered

Outcomes of the project should relate and appeal to the locals ofproduction site


References

References

h�p://www.desertec.org/

h�p://www.th.physik.uni-bonn.de/People/dreiner/HOME-PAGE/TEACHING/ENERGIE-Vortraege/Desertec.pptx

Klawi�er, J., Schinke, B., Gobel, T. ”Desetec and Human Developmentat the Local Level in the MENA- Region: A human rights-based andsustainable livelihoods analysis.” Diakonisches Wesk der EKD e.V. forBrot fur die Welt. Stu�gart. Oktober 2011.

Coates, C. ”Moroccan Solar Sees Path Forward With or WithoutDesertec.” Forbes. December, 2012.

Snieckus, D. ”IN DEPTH: Desertec’s second wind.” Recharge News.July, 2014.

Kwasniewski, N. ”Desertec on the Ropes: Competitors and OpponentsThreaten Energy Plan.” April, 2013. Spiegel Online.

Pictures are collected from various websitesP. Prachurja, R. Basnet, S. Klawiter & K. Shah (Renewable Energy Management, Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg)DESERTEC 24.07.2014 28 / 30

References

The End!


References

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Presentation on DESERTEC Project

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