Europe–Middle East–North Africa cooperation for sustainable electricity and water

Abstract

This report summarizes the results of two studies of electricity supply for Europe (EU), the Middle East (ME) and North Africa (NA) up to the year 2050. It shows that a transition to competitive, secure and sustainable supply of electricity and water is possible using renewable energy sources, efficiency gains and fossil fuel backup for balancing power. A strong cooperation between the EU and MENA for the market introduction of renewable energy and the interconnection of the electricity grids by high-voltage direct-current transmission are keys to the success and survival of the whole region. However, the necessary measures will take at least two decades to become effective. Therefore, adequate policy and economic frameworks for their realization must be introduced immediately. The importance of sustainable energy for the security of freshwater supplies in MENA is also described.

The potential role of concentrated solar power (CSP) in Africa and Europe—A dynamic assessment of technology development, cost development and life cycle inventories until 2050

“…In countries with national power companies a feed-in law is not necessarily needed. In these cases, the required revenues can be provided in form of long-term power purchase agreements, preferably backed by an international guarantee (Trieb and Müller-Steinhagen, 2007). This would be the case in most Middle East and North African (MENA) countries that could deliver most of the CSP-based electricity worldwide.…”

Research core and framework of sustainability science

“…One direction of research is to estimate current and future energy demands and potential supply to predict the future, set goals, and analyze the gap between goals and trends. Trieb and Müller-Steinhagen (2007) reported on future trends in energy demands and potential renewable energy in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Another research direction is to improve energy efficiency and develop a renewable energy source in order to fill the gap and realize energy sustainability.…”

Renewable energy research 1995–2009: a case study of wind power research in EU, Spain, Germany and Denmark

“…(IDEA, 2005). Further, Spain has initiated plans for the national developments of eco-economy and R&D and innovation in the fieldsof Renewable Energy (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente Rural y Marino, 2009;Trieb, 2007). In order to establish a national workable strategy and policies for this development detailed information is required by the government on patterns and trends of the scientific and technical knowledge production as a result of R&D activities in public and private sectors in these areas in Spain as well as globally.…”