Dr Gerhard Knies, a keynote speaker at the marcus evans Transmission & Distribution Summit EMEA 2010 discusses the Desertec Foundation’s solar energy project and meeting energy demands in Europe. Interview with: Dr Gerhard Knies, Founder, Desertec Foundation

1. 26 – 28 May 2010 | Majestic Barrière | Cannes | France
Transforming Energy in Europe
Dr Gerhard Knies, a keynote speaker at the marcus evans Transmission &
Distribution Summit EMEA 2010 discusses the Desertec Foundation’s solar energy
project and meeting energy demands in Europe.
Interview with: Dr Gerhard Knies, Founder, Desertec Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE They will not need to build costly electricity storage facilities
such as hydropower pumping stations. The solar heat for
The Desertec Foundation’s solar energy project is Europe’s the plants in the desert can be stored from day to night and
answer to addressing climate change and energy demand power generation adjusted according to demand.
increases. A mammoth project in the Sahara desert involving
several countries and hundreds of solar thermal power How would you address concerns that heavily
plants, the Desertec concept will define and transform relying on Africa to supply energy in Europe
energy generation for future generations. Within six hours, could cause problems?
deserts receive more energy from the sun than humankind
consumes within a year, says Dr Gerhard Knies, the Desertec Dr Gerhard Knies: The level of information made available
Foundation’s Founder. Therefore it makes sense to put on some African countries is limited. We usually only hear
that freely available solar power to good use. A speaker of the horrible events taking place, but daily life is quite
at the marcus evans Transmission & Distribution regular. It is also in these countries’ best economic interest
Summit EMEA 2010 taking place in France, 26 – 28 May to deliver power to Europe reliably and I believe they are
2010, Knies shares his thoughts on the future of power keen on doing so. It is the first time that they will be able
transmission and distribution in Europe. to generate an industrial product that is needed in Europe.
It is important to have in mind that there will be hundreds
How will the Desertec Foundation solve the of plants producing energy, therefore one or two unreliable
energy issues facing European countries? ones will not endanger the delivery of power to Europe.
Cooperating on the project will also stabilise relations
Dr Gerhard Knies: There are major problems with renewable between the countries, and they will come to realise that
energy sources in Europe. Wind energy is a volatile working together leads to a win-win situation.
source of power, thus cannot be solely used to stabilise a
supply system. Photovoltaics cannot keep up with energy How can transmission and distribution executives
demands because of intrinsic fluctuations, which would get ready for the upcoming changes?
cause transmission and distribution problems. This is where
the Desertec Foundation comes into play – it would take Dr Gerhard Knies: New infrastructure including new transmission
only 15 per cent of the power generated by the solar lines will need to be set up in Europe. Power transmission
thermal power plants to stabilise European grids. Desertec chief executives should get together with the potential
will help Europe stabilise energy supplies in a cost efficient power producers in North Africa and start planning for the
way, with a capacity that can be involved when needed. changes ahead.
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2. 26 – 28 May 2010 | Majestic Barrière | Cannes | France
What is your outlook on the future of this sector in Europe will move away from domestic coal-fired
industry? power plants which supply about 50 per cent of electricity
today, to supplying the clean energy produced in the
Dr Gerhard Knies: Depending on how fast we move along, Saharan desert. There will be a transition from a very local
I would imagine that by 2020 there will be power generation of power to a more international one. The
plants producing 15 to 30 gigawatts of power. We have different sites of wind energy from the North Sea and
generated a lot of interest from investors, which need to African Atlantic shorelines, and solar energy sites in the
be put in place. In addition, transmission lines must be Sahara will need to integrate with the local renewable
set up, and agreements signed between the European energy sources, requiring more transmission and more
Union and the North African countries involved. The power distribution.
Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: +357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
About the Transmission & Distribution EMEA Summit 2010
This unique forum will take place at the Majestic Barrière, Cannes, France, 26 – 28 May 2010. Offering much more than any
conference, seminar or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed thought leaders and solution providers to a
highly focused and interactive networking event. The summit includes presentations on securing energy supply, renewable energy
sources and smart metering solutions.
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.td-summit.com
Please note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About marcus evans Summits
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strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity
to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For
more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com
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