Desertec resources

This page provides information and links to leaflets, slide shows and other information resources about CSP and the Desertec ideas.

LEAFLETS AND SHORT DOCUMENTS

The following A4 leaflets and short documents summarise key aspects of the Desertec proposals:

• The Desertec concept in brief (PDF, 179 KB, 2 sides). This summarises the Desertec concept in key points.
• Desertec and the UK (PDF, 135 KB, 6 sides). This summarises the potential benefits of Desertec for the UK, provides answers to some frequently-asked questions, and outlines things that the UK government can do to help things forward.
• Clean power from deserts: what governments can do (PDF, 68 KB, 4 sides). This provides reasons why governments and the EU should do all that they can to facilitate the Desertec developments, and it summarises what actions are needed to move things forward.
• Desertec: security of energy supplies (PDF, 45 KB, 3 sides). Provides reasons why we may have confidence in the security of energy supplies in a Desertec scenario.
• Kick-start and upgrade (PDF, 128 KB, 2 sides). Describes how imports of "clean power from deserts" may begin relatively soon via the existing grid and how the grid may be upgraded as the quantities of electricity increase.
• Supergrid costs and benefits (PDF, 49 KB, 4 sides). Describes why the proposed EUMENA-wide HVDC supergrid would be good value for money and affordable.
• Interstate transmission superhighways: paving the way to a low-carbon future (PDF, 239 KB, 7 sides). This is an article from RenewableEnergyWorld.com (2008-07-30), which makes a case for a large-scale grid in the USA.

CSP slide shows:

A slide show about the Desertec concept may be downloaded via these links:

• PDF
• PPTX
• PPT

Many of the slides in this slide show are included in case they are needed but would not normally be shown. With PowerPoint, each such 'reserve' slide can be 'hidden' by right-clicking on the thumbnail for the slide and choosing 'Hide Slide'. Any hidden slide can be shown during a talk by right-clicking on the screen and choosing 'Go/By Title/<the slide that you want to show>'.

CSP projects around the world

Placards and banners

desertec_security2

The source files for this A2 placard can be downloaded from here:

• desertec_placard.cdr. If you wish to change the design, use this Corel Draw file.
• desertec_placard.pdf. If you wish to use the design as it is, give this file to your local digital print shop.

This placard can be mounted on a stick or, if you wish to keep dry in the rain, put it in on the top of an umbrella! If you want the message to be read from behind as well as in front, get a second copy printed and mount them back to back.

We also have a TIFF file with a similar design for a banner, measuring 174 cm x 145 cm, that can be printed on fabric. If you would like a copy of this file and information about getting a banner printed etc, please get in touch.

T-shirts

If you would like a "Desertec" T-shirt, they are available at the very reasonable price of £4.50 from the 1Click Group. Everything is set up to make ordering easy. Many thanks to Hywel Roberts for organising this (+44 (0) 7792 140 178, hywelroberts [AT] hotmail [DOT] com).

Talk given by Vinod Khosla at Solar Power 2006

Vinod Khosla, legendary venture capitalist, gave this interesting talk at Solar Power 2006 about the risks of climate change, the problems of coal-fired electricity generation, and the potential of solar power, especially CSP:

• The slides in a PDF file (3.7 MB).
• Video pictures of speakers at Solar Power 2006 (with sound), including:
  • Keynote address by Vinod Khosla (accompanied by the slide show, above).
  • Keynote address by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
  • Inverview with Vinod Khosla (scroll down to the bottom).

Referring to CSP in comparison with coal-fired electricity generation, Vinod Khosla says: ... we are poised for breakaway growth—for explosive growth—not because we are cleaner but because we are cheaper. We happen to be cleaner incidentally.

There is also a very interesting interview with Vinod Khosla on ABC TV (Australia). The accompanying film, "Earth, Wind & Fire", that may be viewed from the same page, contains some interesting footage about geothermal power (from about 16 minutes in) and about CSP (from about 24 minutes in).