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Miracle or mirage? The promise and peril of desert energy part 1

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  • Cooper, Christopher
  • Sovacool, Benjamin K.

Abstract

Consisting of two parts, this article explores the history and challenges facing the Gobitec project in China, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea, an ambitious proposal to build a multibillion dollar solar power system in the Gobi desert that then exports electricity throughout Northeast Asia. After detailing its primary methods of data collection—research interviews, site visits, and a literature review—this first part of the study details the history of the Gobitec concept and its close relation to the Desertec concept in North Africa and Europe. It then discusses the “promise” of very large solar systems in deserts, namely improved security of supply and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, the second part of our study finds that such projects also face a list of serious – and perhaps insurmountable – technical, economic, political, and social barriers. That second part concludes by drawing implications for large-scale energy projects and energy policymaking more broadly.

Suggested Citation

  • Cooper, Christopher & Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2013. "Miracle or mirage? The promise and peril of desert energy part 1," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 628-636.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:50:y:2013:i:c:p:628-636
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2012.07.027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lilliestam, Johan & Ellenbeck, Saskia, 2011. "Energy security and renewable electricity trade--Will Desertec make Europe vulnerable to the "energy weapon"?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3380-3391, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xu, Ben & Li, Peiwen & Chan, Cholik, 2015. "Application of phase change materials for thermal energy storage in concentrated solar thermal power plants: A review to recent developments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 286-307.
    2. Kumar, Anil & Prakash, Om & Kaviti, Ajay Kumar, 2017. "A comprehensive review of Scheffler solar collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 890-898.
    3. Xu, Xinhai & Vignarooban, K. & Xu, Ben & Hsu, K. & Kannan, A.M., 2016. "Prospects and problems of concentrating solar power technologies for power generation in the desert regions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1106-1131.
    4. Van de Graaf, Thijs & Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2014. "Thinking big: Politics, progress, and security in the management of Asian and European energy megaprojects," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 16-27.
    5. Escribano Francés, Gonzalo & Marín-Quemada, José María & San Martín González, Enrique, 2013. "RES and risk: Renewable energy's contribution to energy security. A portfolio-based approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 549-559.

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    Keywords

    Gobitec; Desertec; Solar energy;
    All these keywords.

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