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DESERTEC-AUSTRALIA ROADMAP: INTRODUCTION DESERTEC-Elsewhere News: "It's time for Australia to begin a solar revolution, a renewable energy revolution." "I can imagine a day when Australia has its own Desertec type of initiative." "We must build long-term competitive strengths in the global industries of tomorrow - industries that will provide the high-paying jobs of the future." |
Welcome to DESERTEC-Australia"The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were and ask 'why not?' " With its huge resources of solar, geothermal, wind and wave energy, Australia can be a 21st Century 'Clean Energy Superpower.'
Large geothermal reserves lie below her surface. Large amounts of solar energy fall on her from above. Wind and wave energy is abundant along her southern coasts. In "Australia 2050: Clean Energy Superpower," DESERTEC-Australia proposes that between 2010 and 2020 Australia sideline coal-fired output and replace it with natural gas power and renewables. This would create significant near term greenhouse gas reductions. After 2020 renewable energy, after a decade of compounded annual growth thanks to government support, will begin contributing very large amounts of power to the grid. As that occurs, limits can be set on the amount of individual renewable energies (wind, solar, geothermal) put into the grid for energy security's sake. Freed surpluses of renewable energy can then be redirected to export markets over High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power lines connecting Australia to Asia. Natural gas pipelines can be laid alongside. By 2040, the region would enjoy a Pan-Asian energy superhighway, allowing increased cross border trade and greater regional security of supply in electricity and natural gas. DESERTEC's plans would enhance energy security, reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and create a sturdy flexible, regional common-carrier energy infrastructure. Best of all, it would create jobs and economic growth in the sunrise industries of tomorrow. The vision is outlined in in "Austraila 2050: Clean Energy Superpower."
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