Concentrating solar power in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: Achieving its potential
Paper in proceeding, 2012
Concentrating solar power (CSP) is a commercially available renewable energy technology capable of harnessing the immense solar resource in Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (the MENA region), and elsewhere. This paper summarises the findings of a study by the European Academies Science Advisory Council which has examined the current status and development challenges of CSP, and consequently has evaluated the potential contribution of CSP in Europe and the MENA region to 2050. It identifies the actions that will be required by scientists, engineers, policy makers, politicians, business and investors alike, to enable this vast solar resource to make a major contribution to establishing a sustainable energy system. The study concludes that cost reductions of 50-60% in CSP electricity may reasonably be expected in the next 10-15 years, enabling the technology to be cost competitive with fossil-fired power generation at some point between 2020 and 2030. Incorporation of storage delivers added value in enabling CSP to deliver dispatchable power. Incentive schemes will be needed in Europe and MENA countries to enable this point to be achieved. Such schemes should reflect the true value of electricity to the grid, effectively drive R&D, and ensure transparency of performance and cost data.
Author
R. Pitz-Paal
Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- Und Raumfahrt
A.M.A. Amin
Helwan University
M. Bettzüge
Universitat zu Koln
P.C. Eames
Loughborough University
F. Fabrizi
Ente Per Le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e l'Ambiente
G. Flamant
Institut de Science et de Genie des Materiaux et Procedes
F.G. García Novo
Universidad de Sevilla
J.G. Holmes
A. Kribus
Tel Aviv University
H. Van Der Laan
Leiden University
C. López
Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas
Panos Papagiannakopoulos
Panepistimio Kritis
Erik Pihl
Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology
P. Smith
University College Dublin
H.J. Wagner
Ruhr-Universitat Bochum
EPJ Web of Conferences
21016275 (ISSN) 2100014X (eISSN)
Vol. 33 03004Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)
Environmental Sciences
DOI
10.1051/epjconf/20123303004