With solar arrays (PV), it would take 1/50th of the unpopulated area of the Sahara (an area about the size of Switzerland) to meet all the world's current energy needs, even less if only eliminating fossil fuels and nuclear but not hydroelectric and wind.
But there's a better and cheaper way: using parabolic mirrors to heat water and run turbines (CSP [concentrated solar power]). Heat can also be stored in molten salt, etc. to even out electricity supply at night. Electric cars with plug-in to the home would also help even out supply in peak hours. No more need for gasoline. The new Telsa sports car is a preview of the potential of all-electric cars, and some major automakers are already considering the idea of all-electric with plug-in as a possible smart move for the future.
Investors do worry, though, about the political and security situation in the area. That's a major problem.
So far it's Algeria that's taking the lead. They have some CSP (combined with gas at night) plants up and runniing already, and they're having a power line to Germany installed so they can sell electricity. That country alone could supply the whole world if they had the investment.
Theoretically, CSP plants could produce mass quantities of fresh water as a by-product, by boiling seawater to produce steam to run turbines then collecting the steam as fresh water to put to good use.
Saudi Arabia has lots of desert and tons of money, but so far they have been fighting against renewable energy. No surprise.
But this has the potential to world cut carbon dioxide emissions to nearly zero, not to mention soak up some of that sunshine. It would take a lot of investment, but it would create a lot of profit, create jobs in Africa, and save a lot of money on things like carbon capture and other costs involved with countermeasures required when burning fossil fuels, not to mention allowing massive desalination projects to provide fresh water for Northern Africa and all the benefit that comes along with it.
But there's a better and cheaper way: using parabolic mirrors to heat water and run turbines (CSP [concentrated solar power]). Heat can also be stored in molten salt, etc. to even out electricity supply at night. Electric cars with plug-in to the home would also help even out supply in peak hours. No more need for gasoline. The new Telsa sports car is a preview of the potential of all-electric cars, and some major automakers are already considering the idea of all-electric with plug-in as a possible smart move for the future.
Investors do worry, though, about the political and security situation in the area. That's a major problem.
So far it's Algeria that's taking the lead. They have some CSP (combined with gas at night) plants up and runniing already, and they're having a power line to Germany installed so they can sell electricity. That country alone could supply the whole world if they had the investment.
Theoretically, CSP plants could produce mass quantities of fresh water as a by-product, by boiling seawater to produce steam to run turbines then collecting the steam as fresh water to put to good use.
Saudi Arabia has lots of desert and tons of money, but so far they have been fighting against renewable energy. No surprise.
But this has the potential to world cut carbon dioxide emissions to nearly zero, not to mention soak up some of that sunshine. It would take a lot of investment, but it would create a lot of profit, create jobs in Africa, and save a lot of money on things like carbon capture and other costs involved with countermeasures required when burning fossil fuels, not to mention allowing massive desalination projects to provide fresh water for Northern Africa and all the benefit that comes along with it.
