1. Study Project TRANS-CSP Trans-Mediterranean Interconnection for Concentrating Solar Power (WP01 Transmission Technologies) Project for the Research & Development Programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) NREA

2. WP01 Transmission Technologies Scope: Assessment, characterisation and comparison of technology options for the transmission of solar electricity produced by Concentrating Solar Power Plants or by other renewables from MENA to Europe Result: High Voltage Direct Current transmission (HVDC) is the least cost and most efficient solution

3. Power transmission via Hydrogen is possible, but 75 % of the solar electricity would be lost.

4. After closing the Mediterranean Ring in 2010, about 0.5 % of European electricity demand could be imported through the conventional AC grid. If upgraded to European standards, 3 %. However, 45 % of the solar electricity would be lost over 3000 km. Source: OME

5. Security and Redundancy of Power Supply by a Future TRANS-Mediterranean HVDC Grid High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power transmission looses only 10 % over 3000 km distance. Like interstate highways, HVDC lines will serve long distance transfer, with only few outlets to the conventional Alternating Current (AC) grid which will be used analogue to country roads and city streets. By 2050, 700 TWh/y solar electricity could be imported from 20 locations in MENA at a cost of 5 c/kWh providing about 15 % of European electricity demand.

6. Options for Solar Electricity Transfer over 3000 km Distance

7. Year2020203020402050 Capacity GW2 x 58 x 514 x 520 x 5 Transfer TWh/y60230470700 Capacity Factor0.600.670.750.80 Turnover Billion €/y3.812.52435 Land Area CSP km x km HVDC 15 x 15 3100 x 0.1 30 x 30 3600 x 0.4 40 x 40 3600 x 0.7 50 x 50 3600 x 1.0 Investment CSP Billion € HVDC 42 5 134 16 245 31 350 45 Elec. Cost CSP €/kWh HVDC 0.050 0.014 0.045 0.010 0.040 0.010 0.040 0.010 Total EU-MENA HVDC Interconnection 2020 – 2050 * * All countries analysed in TRANS-CSP

8. Interconnecting HVDC* to the AC** System Source: ABB Monopolar HVDC System, e.g. sea cable Bipolar HVDC System, e.g. overhead line * HVDC High Voltage Direct Current (electricity flows steadily from a negative to a positive pole) ** AC Alternating Current (the flow direction is reversed 50 or 60 times per second)

9. Cost of HVDC and HVAC Links with 5 GW Capacity HVDC High Voltage Direct Current HVAC High Voltage Alternating Current

10. (Quelle: ABB, erweitert) Space required for 10 GW Power Transmission AC Alternate Current HVDC High Voltage Direct Current UHVDCUltra High Voltage Direct Current

11. HVDC is well established, transmitting 75 GW world wide, mainly remote hydro- and geothermal power Source: ABB

12. Solar Import Electricity in TWh/y

13. Solar Import Capacity in GW