Our planet is a fragile ecosystem. To keep it in balance, well have to figure out how to harness nature to generate clean, affordable energy. Catapult Design in San Francisco has one answer. Their turbines are cheap and practical, and can power a light or charge a cell phone in villages that are off the grid.

Europe’s Saharan power plan: miracle or mirage?

By Tom Pfeiffer

RABAT (Reuters) – A 400 billion euro ($774 billion) plan to power Europe with Sahara sunlight is gaining momentum, even as critics see high risks in a large corporate project using young technology in north African countries with weak rule of law.

Desertec, as the initiative is called, would be the world’s most ambitious solar power project. Fields of mirrors in the desert would gather solar rays to boil water, turning turbines to electrify a new carbon-free network linking Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Its supporters, a dozen finance and industrial firms mostly from Germany, say it will keep Europe at the forefront of the fight against climate change and help North African and European economies to grow within greenhouse gas emission limits.

Others warn of numerous pitfalls, including Maghreb politics, Saharan sandstorms and the risk to desert populations if their water is diverted to clean dust off solar mirrors.

They say the concentrated solar power (CSP) technology behind Desertec involves greater costs and risks than the fast-growing patchwork of smaller-scale photovoltaic cell installations that generate most of Europe’s solar energy today.

Desertec’s founders are lured by the fact that more energy falls on the world’s deserts in six hours than the world consumes in a year.

“The Sahara offers every advantage you want — proximity to Europe, virtually no population and more intense sunlight,” said George Joffe, a research fellow and Maghreb expert at Cambridge University, who is not affiliated to the plan.

“It would be mad to pass up this opportunity.”

Proposed by the Club of Rome, an international group of experts that suggests solutions to global problems, Desertec became an industrial project last month when reinsurer Munich Re hosted its launch at its headquarters in the Bavarian capital.

“We have a special relationship with climate change: it affects our core business, the insurance of weather-related natural catastrophes, which count among the most expensive losses we have to bear,” said Peter Hoeppe, Head of Munich Re’s Geo Risk Research department.

EMISSIONS GOALS

Many European governments aim to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Desertec’s backers say it would also be a positive gesture from the developed world to countries of the Middle East and North Africa, which stand to suffer most from the more frequent droughts and desertification blamed on global warming.

They have yet to draw up a business plan or specify how it will be funded but hope to recruit shareholders and partner companies from a variety of countries.

Desertec officials say the Sahara could one day deliver 15 percent of Europe’s electricity, but expect the plan to advance in small stages with completion not before 2050.

Supporters of more established solar energy technology, such as photovoltaic cells, argue decentralized generation will prove more popular as falling prices make the heavy infrastructure needed for CSP unviable.

They also think European governments, which already accept the risk of importing energy from north African countries such as Algeria, would given the choice opt for the security of producing renewable energy within their own borders.

“Sahara power for northern Europe is a mirage,” said Hermann Scheer, a member of Germany’s parliament and head of the European Association for Renewable Energy.

“Those behind the project know themselves that nothing will ever come out of this,” said Scheer, an architect of renewable energy policy in Germany, which included a strong emphasis on photovoltaic technology.

Scheer said the costs of Desertec were being downplayed artificially and its technical capabilities over-estimated.

“EVERYONE LOVES IT”

Desertec would need 20 or more efficient, direct-current cables each costing up to $1 billion to transmit electricity north beneath the Mediterranean.

CSP installations placed in the Sahara generate around 30 percent more power per area than in southern Spain, according to Morocco’s renewable energy agency CDER.

“Desertec can help reduce emissions in Europe and foster economic and social development in northern Africa, so everyone loves this project,” said Santiago Siage, head of Desertec consortium member Abengoa Solar.

Abengoa is developing installations combining CSP with combined-cycle gas power generation in Morocco and Algeria.

Southern countries that import most of their energy like Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan would also benefit from Desertec.

Morocco buys in 96 percent of its energy and subsidizes fuel to make it more affordable for the poor, a massive drain on state resources that could be used to fight poverty and bring services to isolated rural areas.

The Moroccan government says Desertec could solve Morocco’s energy dependency and leave plenty of power for Europe.

“Morocco doesn’t have even 1 percent of Europe’s energy consumption, so let’s be realistic,” said Said Mouline, the head of Morocco’s renewable energy agency. “We would be generating enough power for us, and for export, for the next 100 years.”

EXPLOITATION?

Among hazards facing the scheme are the fact that Desertec would need tight coordination between governments to succeed, yet Maghreb states have tried and failed for two decades to integrate their economies and deepen political ties.

The border between Morocco and Algeria is shut and relations are poisoned by a disagreement over the Western Sahara.

Morocco says it has already identified sites to place the curved solar mirrors, not deep in the Sahara but in populated areas just north of the desert to ensure a supply of water to clean mirrors and cool turbines.

Algeria has the biggest chunk of desert and private Algerian firm Cevital has signed up for Desertec, but Africa’s second-largest country is isolated and struggling to reform a Soviet-style economy after a brutal civil conflict in the 1990s.

The government has tightened terms on inward investment and says it will only work with Desertec if it allows partnerships between Algerian and foreign firms and a transfer of technology.

“If these conditions are not met, we are not interested,” said Algerian Energy and Mines Minister Chakib Khelil. “We don’t want foreign companies exploiting solar energy from our land.”

Analysts play down the risk to Desertec’s infrastructure posed by Al Qaeda-aligned rebels based in Algeria, saying investment risks pose a far bigger problem.

“There is the risk of expropriation of assets, reneging on license agreements, corruption and bureaucratic red tape which could stop things getting off the ground,” said Henry Wilkinson of Janusian Security Risk Management.

Wolfram Lacher of Control Risks consultancy agreed: security risks can be managed, but the project could become entangled in broader talks between the EU and north Africa on energy, investment and trade.

(Additional reporting by Erik Kirschbaum, Christoph Steitz, Jonathan Gould and Hamid Ould Ahmed; Editing by Gerard Wynn and Sara Ledwith)

Renewable Energy

Solaya is the development arm of Lumus Construction. Solaya is a renewable energy development company with a focus on wind, solar and fuel cell power projects throughout the world. Our team has over 100 years of experience in wind power and real estate development & finance. Our team has managed over $10 billion in construction over the past 10 years. We have over 630 MW of active projects at various stages of development in the United States, India, Pakistan, Israel and Brazil. We have formed strategic partnerships with various wind, solar and fuel cell manufacturers as well as various technical consultants

Renewable energy is a safe and clean way to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs. Solaya is dedicated to providing solutions for your company and wants to help you through the transition. As one of the leaders in renewable energy, Solaya has years of expertise to offer, including carpentry, mechanical and electrical work. Solaya specializes in solar, wind, and fuel cells systems. Going green with Solaya will be at no risk to you. You will not have to put up capital for the energy system. Solaya will invest and finance the project for you. A change in the energy starts with these first steps toward green. Call Solaya today to be on your way.

IBEW Local 103 and Lumus Construction

Leaders of Solar and Wind Installation bring you to the forefront of going green with green energy. View site.

Click here to view movie.

Reasons to go Green:

• Produce your own clean power
• Add immediate value to your business
• Reduce energy costs
• Hedge against future electric price increases
• Gain a competitive advantage over other companies
• Be an example for others to follow
• Preserve the world’s limited natural resources

Wind Power:

• Do you think your area is windy?
• How far away is your property from any surrounding buildings or roads? (At least 500 feet?)
• Is your property large enough to construct a turbine on? (At least 1.5-3 acres of land is needed).
• Are there any airports nearby? If so, how close is your property to the airport?

Solar

• Do you have a large roof top area? (Approximately 100 square feet is needed per kilowatt).
• Does your area receive a lot of sunlight?
• Do you have a clear, unobstructed access to the sun?

Fuel Cell:

• When are your load operating hours? (day or night requirements, weekend load requirements)
• Will you need relatively long run times? (?8 hours?)
• What will be the purpose of the fuel cell? (Is it only for back up purposes, combine heat and power, primary power, etc.?)
• Do you have site and space availability? (Is it a secure site? Is fuel cell compactness important?)

BERLIN – German solar energy company SolarWorld AG said Wednesday it plans to offer euro1 billion ($1.3 billion) in cash and credit for some assets of carmaker Adam Opel GmbH, the German subsidiary of financially strapped General Motors Corp. GM said it wasn’t selling.

Bonn-based SolarWorld said in a statement it was planning to offer GM euro250 million ($350 million) in cash and another euro750 million ($945 million) in credit lines in a bid for four German production facilities and Opel’s Ruesselsheim development center and headquarters, to make it Europe’s first true “green” auto company.

SolarWorld said any deal would be dependent on GM completely exiting the company, and that it would seek a swap compensation payment from GM for euro40,000 ($50,400) per German employee in the transaction, or about euro1 billion.

GM Europe spokeswoman Karin Kirchner said that “Opel is not for sale” and declined further comment, saying GM “wouldn’t comment on speculation.”

SolarWorld, which makes electricity generating solar panels, is much smaller than GM by revenue. In the third quarter, SolarWorld earned euro36.1 million ($45.6 million) on sales of euro238.3 million ($301 million). GM lost $2.5 billion on revenue of $37.9 billion.

Parent company GM is seeking government loans and says it is running out of cash.

GM officials met with German government officials Monday to discuss a euro1 billion ($1.3 billion) loan guarantee for Opel. Chancellor Angela Merkel said her government would decide on the matter by the end of the year, depending on how the situation unfolds.

SolarWorld said it would develop a new generation of energy efficient and reduced-emissions automobiles alongside successful models that Opel currently produces.

“With the restructuring of the product pallet, the traditional German auto builder would offer in future especially electric and hybrid automobiles and the newest technology combining extended-range electric and combustion motors highly efficiently,” SolarWorld said.

Tim Urquhart, an auto analyst with IHS Global Insight in London said he thought it was “highly ambitious and remarkable,” and probably “difficult to pull off in the current environment.”

“With a company with no track record in their history, it’s unlikely,” he said.

Urquhart said it would take “multiple billions” of euros for SolarWorld to enter the automotive sector. Other companies that have tried to do so in the past have “fallen badly on their backsides,” he said.

The news sent shares of SolarWorld 14.3 percent lower to euro13.98 ($17.61) in afternoon trading.

___

On the Net:

http://www.opel.com

http://www.gm.com

http://www.solarworld.de

TerraPass, Bloomsberry & Co and Whole Foods Markets present

Climate Change Chocolate

Chocolate bars. They’re supposed to taste good, but can they also be good? We think so! Our Climate Change Chocolate bar is meant to educate while tasting great. It comes in a wrapper with 15 tips for lightening your environmental impact. These helpful hints teach you how to save energy by making small changes to your daily habits. And of course, thanks to Bloomsberry & Co., you can be sure the finest chocolate is attached to these green lifestyle lessons.

Climate Change Chocolate comes with a verified TerraPass offset of 133 pounds of carbon dioxide reductions, the average American’s daily carbon impact. We hope this small offset will be the first taste of a lower-carbon lifestyle for Whole Foods shoppers who decide to take responsibility for their climate change impact. In addition, the carbon emissions associated with the production and distribution of the chocolate bar has been balanced out.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods sells a variety of cause-related chocolates that raise awareness and funds for everything from saving endangered species to protecting the rainforest. Now, Climate Change Chocolate has joined the mix, offering a fun and delicious way to educate consumers on ways to reduce energy consumption. Whole Foods is an environmental leader among American retailers. The company has reduced its carbon footprint through efficiency and alternative fuel programs, and purchased enough renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset 100 percent of the electricity used in all of its stores, facilities, bake houses, distribution centers, regional offices and national headquarters in the United States and Canada. This October, The EPA named Whole Foods the Green Power Partner of the Year for the second year running. For more information on Whole Foods’ Eco-efforts visit Whole Foods Market.

Bloomsberry & Co.

Bloomsberry & Co. was founded in New Zealand in 2001. Although best known for its premium all natural chocolate and highly creative designed packaging, Bloomsberry’s core competencies extend to critical areas of logistics and retail distribution. Bloomsberry has offset the emissions from its on-site energy use and employee travel with TerraPass. For more information visit Bloomsberry & Co. ]]> http://alternativeenergyalliance.com/bloomsberrychocolatesalemma.html/feed 0 http://alternativeenergyalliance.com/governor-patrick-clean-energy-a-better-idea.html http://alternativeenergyalliance.com/governor-patrick-clean-energy-a-better-idea.html#comments Wed, 07 May 2008 23:42:33 +0000 captainnemo http://alternativeenergyalliance.com/?p=6

Governor Deval Patrick: clean energy a ‘better idea’

Cape Wind is proposing America’s first offshore wind farm on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound. Miles from the nearest shore, 130 wind turbines will gracefully harness the wind to produce up to 420 megawatts of clean, renewable energy.  

In average winds, Cape Wind will provide three quarters of the Cape and Islands electricity needs.

Cleaner Air

Our health and environment are negatively impacted by fossil fuel burning. The American Lung Association reports that Cape Cod has the worst air quality in Massachusetts. Cape Wind will contribute to improved air quality by reducing air pollution emissions in New England. Cape Wind will also

reduce global warming greenhouse gas emissions by 734,000 tons per year. Global warming contributes to rising sea levels and more frequent storms that erode our beaches and cause coastal property damage. Global warming and climate change presents the greatest threat to birds and sea life and their habitat.

Energy Independence

Since 1973, America has transferred over seven trillion dollars of its wealth to OPEC countries. Our dependence on foreign energy leaves our economy and national security at risk. By harnessing our local wind resources, we can contribute to reducing our dependence on imported energy. Cape Wind will provide clean, renewable energy capable of replacing 113 million gallons of oil per year.

 
Energy Costs

Cape and Island’s electric prices have more than doubled over the last five years. The Massachusetts Energy Facility Siting Board reports that Cape Wind will help reduce energy costs. Cape Wind can provide Cape and Island residents a way to stabilize their electricity prices through fixed priced electricity contracts. Natural gas prices have more than doubled over the last five years. The United States Department of Energy stated that Cape Wind and renewable energy will also conserve natural gas and help lower rising natural gas costs.

Jobs and the Economy

Cape Wind will establish Cape Cod and Massachusetts as a world-wide leader in offshore renewable energy technology. Cape Wind will create up to a thousand jobs in manufacturing, assembly, and ocean construction, boosting our local economy and creating 150 permanent jobs thereafter, including 50 highly paid maintenance and operations jobs based on Cape Cod.  Click here to read more about Cape Wind and the future of offshore wind energy.

Navigation

The wind turbines will be spaced six to nine football fields apart, allowing plenty of navigational room for shallow draft boats that pass through or fish Horseshoe Shoal. Cape Wind has been endorsed by the Maritime Trades Council and the Seafarers International Union, the largest fleet of commercial fishermen in New England.

Environmental Review
(Permitting)

Cape Wind is undergoing a comprehensive environmental permitting process by seventeen federal and state agencies, under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. In November 2004, these agencies released a very positive Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) reporting numerous project benefits at minimal impact (more on the DEIS).  In February, 2007 Cape Wind filed a Final Environmental Impact Report with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The project has gained the support of national and regional environmental, health, labor and citizens advocacy groups.Click here to see a complete list of project supporters.

Company History
Energy Management Inc. (EMI) is the developer of Cape Wind. EMI is a Massachusetts based energy company with a 30-year history of engineering, developing and constructing energy conservation projects and environmentally friendly electric generation facilities. The company has a proven track record in lowering energy costs, reducing pollution emissions, increasing energy independence, and creating jobs.

Our Alternative Energy Future?

Alternative Energy Alliance

Question: Do YOU ever hear much about Oil Independence, Alternative Energy Programs, Carbon Neutrality, Green Technolgy and the return of the United States Nuclear Energy Program discussed as KEY issues in the 2008 Presidential campaigns???

Let’s ask ourselves WHY? and DO SOMETHING about it!

The survival of the US as a competitive economic power and a technology leader DEPENDS on a quick solution.

So you may ask, what does the language of a candidate SOUND LIKE regarding a fast tracked energy independence program and its execution?

Please research President Kennedy’s speech regarding landing on the moon.

It energized a nation, inspired a generation and focused the world on the numerous benefits of space travel and the positive fallout from pure scientific research.

Total time: EIGHT YEARS… think about it.

What follows is some background information regarding President Kennedy’s Moon Landing Program.

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced before a special joint session of Congress the dramatic and ambitious goal of sending an American safely to the Moon before the end of the decade.

A number of political factors affected Kennedy’s decision and the timing of it.

In general, Kennedy felt great pressure to have the United States “catch up to and overtake” the Soviet Union in the “space race.” Four years after the Sputnik shock of 1957, the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had become the first human in space on April 12, 1961, greatly embarrassing the U.S. While Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, he only flew on a short suborbital flight instead of orbiting the Earth, as Gagarin had done. In addition, the Bay of Pigs fiasco in mid-April put unquantifiable pressure on Kennedy.

He wanted to announce a program that the U.S. had a strong chance at achieving before the Soviet Union. After consulting with Vice President Johnson, NASA Administrator James Webb, and other officials, he concluded that landing an American on the Moon would be a very challenging technological feat, but an area of space exploration in which the U.S. actually had a potential lead. Thus the cold war is the primary contextual lens through which many historians now view Kennedy’s speech.

The decision involved much consideration before making it public, as well as enormous human efforts and expenditures to make what became Project Apollo a reality by 1969. Only the construction of the Panama Canal in modern peacetime and the Manhattan Project in war were comparable in scope. NASA’s overall human spaceflight efforts were guided by Kennedy’s speech; Projects Mercury (at least in its latter stages), Gemini, and Apollo were designed to execute Kennedy’s goal. His goal was achieved on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong stepped off the Lunar Module’s ladder and onto the Moon’s surface.

In honor of Kennedy’s historic speech, below are some documents and other information relating to the decision to go to the Moon and Project Apollo that we hope you find useful.

Links to full text and audio versions of Kennedy’s May 25, 1961 speech, as well as other key speeches and documents

PDF versions of key original documents

Lots of information about Project Apollo

A cool site devoted to the 30th anniversary of Apollo 11 in 1999
“Washington Goes to the Moon”:

A two-part radio program produced by WAMU-FM in Washington, D.C. that deals with the political story behind Project Apollo.