Clean power from deserts may clean up Europe and other non-desert regions. Integrating clean power from deserts into the local energy mix, means a faster and more efficient energy transformation (Energiewende) in non-desert countries.

Transmission

The transmission technologies for long-distance transmission of clean power from deserts are available and already in commercial use. Clean power from remote deserts can be transmitted up to 3,000 kilometers to the consumption centres, using High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines. 90% of the world’s population lives within a maximum distance of 3,000 km to deserts. With around 2-3% per 1,000 kilometres, the transmission losses are fairly low. China especially is already experienced in the utilization of HVDC transmission lines which can be seen at the 1418 km HVDC line connecting Yunnan and Guangdong.

The transmission of about 15% of clean power from deserts has been the original DESERTEC Vision.

Since new developments have come up the Foundation takes two more options into account:

Power to liquid

Production of electricity in a mix from the above mentioned regenerative power plants and using this energy for the production of liquid fuel via hydrogen by electrolysis and transformation of hydrogen to methanol or – by using the “Fischer-Tropsch- process” – transformation to solid-, liquid- and gas-hydrocarbon; transfer the liquid hydrocarbon by normal oil tankers to European oil harbours; marketing of the liquid hydrocarbon via existing infrastructures as fuel for combustion engines.

Power to gas

Production of electricity in a mix from the above mentioned regenerative power plants and using this energy for the production of biogas via hydrogen by electrolysis and transformation from hydrogen to methane; liquefaction of methane to LBG (liquefied bio gas) and transfer of the LBG by special tank ships to LNC-terminals in Europe; infeed of the LBG into the normal gas pipelines.