Renewable technology adepts in Europe are gaining strength

Oct 28, 2008 12:27 GMT  ·  By
According to European scientists, the future of renewable energy is solar power
   According to European scientists, the future of renewable energy is solar power

The European Union seems pretty determinate in its struggle against fossil fuel, as evidenced by the enthusiasm that has overwhelmed the scientific community of the "Old Continent" over the past couple of years. Scientists from different countries and organizations are beginning to draw attention to the fact that a solar power grid, spanning throughout the globe, would have enormous benefits in store for all countries deciding to partake in the project.  

Because it stretches all over the world, the planned network will not need too much storing capacity, as the electrical current will be transmitted non-stop through a network of channels. Some would compare this type of structure to the Internet. A network of solar powered electrical plants will deliver energy to designated places throughout the globe. The main idea behind this concept is that the Sun always shines somewhere on Earth.  

And, while thus far constructing solar plants at higher latitudes has been economically unsustainable, due to the low levels of solar energy countries that far from the Equator get, now those nations could benefit from electricity coming directly from halfway across the globe at any given time. This project will require an unprecedented level of cooperation between all nations involved.  

Emphasis is placed on exploiting the Sun and not the wind because, in the long run, scientists believe that it will be light that will offer the most potent solution to predicted global "black-outs," caused by lack of fossil fuels in the future. Wind is still regarded as an "unreliable" resource, in that even areas with high wind speeds can yield unsatisfactory amounts of energy.  

The future of renewable energy lies in large-scale projects, such as this one. And even if the global solar energy grid doesn't become reality, European officials agreed that the time for small-scale projects has passed and that, in order for any attempt of counteracting global warming to work, only a large international cooperation could succeed.