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by Using a massive network of roughly 1,000 100-megawatt power plants, and thousands of miles of high-voltage d.c. transmission cables, a conglomeration of researchers, environmentalists and businessmen is attempting to sell Europe on the idea of harvesting solar power from the Sahara Desert. The green-energy idea includes a mix of renewable energies, from wind to geothermal to biomass power, and is dubbed DESERTEC. Not surprisingly, the issue isn't technological, but economic and nationalistic in nature. Some, for example, are concerned about the idea of relying on Africa for power. Others are worried about the US$595 billion price tag. Jon Gibbins, an energy engineer at Imperial College London, commented, "Unless it's extremely cheap, it won't stop people using easy-to-get fossil fuels. We didn't stop using coal in the last century because of oil."
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Problems with maintaining infrastructure in Africa by Brandon :: NR9 :: on 27 November 2007
As an employee of Shell International Exploration and Production, the first thing that popped in my mind after reading this was the huge potential cost of maintaining the infrastructure needed for this sort of plan. The oil industry has a quickly increasing presence in Africa - particularly off the West coast - and runs into continual problems with safety there, for both employees and equipment. I've heard numerous stories and read multiple reports of people murdered or kidnapped, as well as pillaging by locals.
The goal is a worthy one, however, so I'm not saying this shouldn't be pursued. The security aspect of the plan is just something I think many of the "researchers, environmentalists and businessmen" might be missing.
RE: Problems with maintaining infrastructure in Africa by VnutZ :: NR8 :: on 29 November 2007
The oil industry has a quickly increasing presence in Africa - particularly off the West coast - and runs into continual problems with safety there, for both employees and equipment. I've heard numerous stories and read multiple reports of people murdered or kidnapped, as well as pillaging by locals.
The goal is a worthy one, however, so I'm not saying this shouldn't be pursued. The security aspect of the plan is just something I think many of the "researchers, environmentalists and businessmen" might be missing.
These are the most valid points here. There are sooooo many places on Earth that would be optimal for putting unsightly "green" energy generating stations. But those areas always seem to have some sort of security or political issue making them nearly unviable for investors.
It's part of the irony I find with extreme eco-tree huggers. They want all this peace, love and harmony but refuse to see the need sometimes for things like militaries and conflict resolution in order to make way for the ideal solutions to be implemented.
It is a shame, though, after being in the Sahara last May such an industry would be amazing for places like that. It's a chicken and egg problem though. With economic success, the people could establish a standard of living and political expectation above squalor and violence. But, without that standard, they can never get the appropriate influx of investment to attain it. So the cycle circulates and circulates.
RE: Problems with maintaining infrastructure in Africa by AnonBCA :: NR6 :: on 29 November 2007
I suspect that things will continue to progress in Africa...although the Ivory Coast is experiencing the problems you mentioned they are far removed from the carnage of the Biafran War its only a matter of time...the Sahara idea is great...doing things by force is a dated concept though...I believe it isn't until we give people (Africans) a viable financial incentive that they will make an effort to protect an investment like that.