Asian Supergrid to Connect Japan, China, Russia, Korea, and Mongolia

The Desertec Foundation has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation (JREF) to plan, promote, and implement an Asian supergrid which will be vital for the expansion of renewable energy in the continent.

The Desertec Foundation is a global civil society initiative which aims to help shape a sustainable future for humanity. Its Desertec Concept plans to generate sustainable power around the globe in regions where sources of renewable energy are at their most abundant.

The JREF was founded following the Fukushima Nuclear Accident, with the aim of preventing further such accidents occurring in the future, and also accelerating the development of renewable energy sources in order to reduce reliance upon nuclear power, reduce the cost of renewable energies, and provide energy security to Japan.

The two organisations will share their knowledge and coordinate their work to develop a suitable framework for the deployment of the transnational grid, and the installation of renewable energy sites around East Asia. The vision is to connect Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, and Russia with high voltage direct current transmission lines.

Desertec are hugely interested in the potential for renewable energy East Asia. Dr Thiemo Gropp, director of the Desertec Foundation, states, “the efficient use of the practically inexhaustible energy of the East Asian desert sun in combination with the expansion of renewable energies can sustainably improve living conditions for current and future generations in the region. It also offers Asian countries the chance to take a leading role in the fight against climate change by harnessing the most abundant of all energy sources on earth.”

The JREF is more excited about the potential to help the long-term economic development of the region. Tomas Kåberger, the JREF executive board chair, adds: “Technologies to harness solar and wind energy have improved dramatically in the last few years. Combined with modern power transmission technologies, renewable energy can support the long-term economic prosperity of the region. Establishing an Asian Super Grid will be challenging and require a high-level of international collaboration but its benefits make it worth the effort. We are happy to be able to benefit from the experience of Desertec in this undertaking.”

By. James Burgess of Oilprice.com

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