scholarly journals MIRACLE OR MIRAGE? CRITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE THEORY OF ECOLOGICAL MODERNIZATION IN LIGHT OF THE DESERTEC PROJECT

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIZ ENRIQUE VIEIRA DE SOUZA ◽  
MARCELO FETZ ◽  
ALINA MIKHAILOVNA GILMANOVA CAVALCANTE
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Ecological Modernization ◽  
Sahara Desert ◽  
International Media ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Limited Scope

Abstract This investigation analyzes the Desertec project, which envisioned a transition to “clean energy” through constructing solar thermal power plants in the Sahara Desert and linking Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East via high voltage cables. Despite great enthusiasm in the international media and some sectors of civil society, the project faced so many obstacles that even the consortium which initially fostered the initiative decided to withdraw. This article uses this case to critically assess the theoretical and epistemological assumptions of the theory of ecological modernization, pointing out an alternate research agenda which focuses on unsuccessful projects in this area (failure cases), emphasizing the limited scope of this theory and the teleological postulate which assumes convergence between economic and environmental rationalities.

scholarly journals Can Hydropower Still Be Considered a Clean Energy Source? Compelling Evidence from a Middle-Sized Hydropower Station in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 4261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuerong Li ◽  
Faliang Gui ◽  
Qingpeng Li
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Hydropower Station ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Fossil Carbon ◽  
Global Economic Growth

The development of clean energy is of great importance in alleviating both the energy crisis and environmental pollution resulting from rapid global economic growth. Hydroelectric generation is considered climate benign, as it neither requires fossil carbon to produce energy nor emits large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG), unlike conventional energy generation techniques such as coal and oil power plants. However, dams and their associated reservoirs are not entirely GHG-neutral and their classification as a clean source of energy requires further investigation. This study evaluated the environmental impact of the Xiajiang hydropower station based on life cycle assessment (LCA) according to the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines, focusing specifically on GHG emissions after the submersion of the reservoir. Results reveal that although hydropower is not as clean as we thought, it is still an absolute “low emissions” power type in China. The amount of GHG emissions produced by this station is 3.72 million tons with an emissions coefficient of 32.63 g CO2eq/kWh. This figure is lower than that of thermal power, thus implying that hydropower is still a clean energy resource in China. Our recommendations to further minimize the environmental impacts of this station are the optimization of relevant structural designs, the utilization of new and improved construction materials, and the extension of farmland lifting technology.

Methodology for optimized operation strategies of solar thermal power plants with integrated heat storage

Solar Energy ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 653-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Wittmann ◽  
Markus Eck ◽  
Robert Pitz-Paal ◽  
Hans Müller-Steinhagen
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Solar Thermal Power
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