World's future is with solar energy,Who will think about our future ?

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Who will think about our future ?
Arabs who have the biggest sources of Petrol and Gas are thinking on the other lines but we who import most of the petrol have not started thinking yet. Our establishment is busy in his power game and rulers are busy to save them.
See this report from Gulf News.
**Arab world’s future is with solar energy **

                            	            		Dr Al Baz received the IDA world water masters award from Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, on Saturday.

http://gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/deserving-winner-1.524679!image/1194104698.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_475/1194104698.jpg

  • Shaikh Majid hands over the IDA world water masters’ award to Dr Farouk Al Baz during the opening ceremony of International Desalination Association’s summit at Arena, Madinat Jumeirah, yesterday.

  • Image Credit: Atiq-UR-Rehman, Gulf News

                            	                              		            			Dubai: Highlighting the importance of the desalination industry in the Gulf will be the focus of the International Desalination Association's (IDA) annual summit.

Dr Farouk Al Baz, director of the Centre for Remote Sensing, Boston University, and senior advisor of Dubai Techno Park, speaks to *Gulf News *on rising sea levels, clean technologies and watching climate change in action thanks to satellite imagery, ahead of the IDA summit, which will open in Dubai today.
Dr Al Baz received the IDA world water masters award from Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, on Saturday.
Gulf News: How do you think the International Desalination Association (IDA) congress will help the industry progress?
**Dr Farouk Al Baz: **The IDA conference will highlight the importance of the desalination industry to the Gulf region and will make the various components of the desalting industry aware of the needs of the region and its aspirations.
Do you see concentrated solar power being used for desalination in the future in the UAE?
Solar energy must figure prominently in all future plans of energy generation in the Arab World in general and the Gulf region in particular. This part of the world is endowed with a rich and constant source of energy that must be fully utilised.

  • What are the impacts of desalination on this region and its biodiversity? Is this visible with geographic information system (GIS)?*
    There are two basic impacts of desalination of sea water on the Gulf environment. The first is increase of salinity of water due to the dumping of salty brine into Gulf waters. This is visible in multi-spectral satellite images as the water colour changes with salinity. The second effect is the increase of the temperature at the brine dumping sites. This is also visible in the thermal images from space that record variations in temperature.
    Putting such data along with others in a geographic information system allows the detection of the affected areas to undertake measures to alleviate the resulting problems.
    Do you think clean technologies need something like Techno Park as an incentive to base themselves in the UAE?
    There is no question that clean energy requires scientific and technological research. The best vehicle for such research is a compound where a group of researchers can conduct the necessary experimentation. Worldwide, we have seen such activities flourish at Techno Parks. Thus, Dubai Techno Park provides an incentive for such industrial, research and educational entities to base their work in the UAE.
    To what extent can GIS show the impacts of climate change in the Middle East?
    Satellite images are ideal for monitoring any changes. This includes urban development, vegetation patterns, coastal changes, etc. One image taken at a given time is compared to another taken at a later time and the special computing programmes provide the change between the two. Thus climate changes can be monitored with great accuracy.
    How fast has the rate of depletion been in this part of the world?
    The rate of resource depletion in our region has not been great or alarming. The region is still sparsely populated in comparison with others, and there is not a huge pressure on resources except fresh water.
    In regards to the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) annual conference being held in Beirut in a few weeks, and its 2008 report, “Arab Environment: Future Challenges” — how was this received in the Arab world, and what will you present at this meeting?
    The AFED annual conference has received much attention in the Arab World. This is a sign that issues of environmental preservation are now prominent in most Arab circles, both at the level of governments and non-governmental organisations.
    My presentation is entitled: “When the Desert Was Green”. It deals with major natural climate change that caused the formation of the desert by dryness. Some Arab deserts represent the driest region on Earth, where solar radiation is capable of evaporating 200 times the rainfall. The hyper-aridity forces inhabitants to depend on groundwater.
    However, geo-archaeological data indicate that they hosted wetter climates in the past. At least five palaeo lake-forming episodes took place prior to 350,000 years ago. Each episode roughly correlates with an interglacial period.
    Space image data indicate that sand in inland basins of the desert was transported there in river channels during past rainy periods. Some of the surface water seeped into the underlying porous rock to accumulate as groundwater aquifers. During dry conditions, wind formed sand dunes and sheets atop these basins. Examples are given in southwest Egypt and North Darfur.
    In Egypt, space data allowed mapping the “East Uweinat” basin, where 540 wells were drilled to water many crops. The proven water resources are capable of supporting agriculture over 150,000 acres for 100 years. In North Darfur boundaries of a similar dry lake were revealed by radar images and topographic data. This basin is being investigated by the United Nations for its groundwater potential.
    What are the elements of the report being carried out at the Centre of Remote Sensing at Boston University (CRS-BU), which uses satellite images to analyse the impact of climate change on Arab countries?
    This part of the report deals with modelling of the effects of the rise of temperature on sea level rise along coastal regions of the Arab World. Naturally, the effects would be most severe along low elevation coastal regions such as the Nile Delta coast along the Mediterranean Sea.
    Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, what do you think should be the agenda of the Arab world?
    I do not know what is being prepared by our political entities in regards to this meeting. However, we can assume that the Arab countries will present a position that includes the effects on coastal areas. We also can assume that Masdar will be prominently represented as it is one of our major initiatives.
    Can you highlight some of the worse climate change impacts that will be felt in the Arab World?
    The grievous effects of sea level rise will be on low coastal topography. In general this includes the northern part of Nile Delta, the low areas along the Arabian Gulf coast of the UAE, and parts of the coastal region of Mauritania.
    Is there still time for action to be taken?
    We are not too late to start and we should join the rest of the world in making the necessary measurements of our environment and its changes over time. This is necessary to allow us to prepare for the future.
    Egyptian-American scientist who worked on the Moon Mission
    Dr Farouk Al Baz is an Egyptian-American scientist who worked with Nasa to assist in the planning of scientific exploration of the moon, including the selection of landing sites for the Apollo missions and the training of astronauts in lunar observations and photography.
    Currently, Dr Al Baz is a Research Professor and Director of the Centre for Remote Sensing at Boston University.
    He is Adjunct Professor of Geology at the Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. He is also a member of the board of the Geological Society of America Foundation, Boulder, Colorado, and a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, Washington, DC.
    He was born on January 2, 1938, in the Nile Delta town of Zagazig. At the age of 20, he received a BSc in Chemistry and Geology from Ain Shams University. In 1961, he received an MS degree in Geology from the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now Missouri University of Science and Technology). In 1964 he received a PhD in Geology from the Missouri University of Science and after conducting research in 1962-1963 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge. In 1989, he received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the New England College, Henniker, New Hampshire; in 2002 a Professional Degree from Missouri S&T; in 2003 an Honorary PhD from Mansoura University in Egypt; in 2004 a Doctor of Laws degree from the American University in Cairo; and in 2004 an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Missouri.
    Source: Dr. Farouk El-Baz’ Official Web Site
    Agenda: Assessing impact
    The International Desalination Association (IDA) World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse will be held from today to November 12 at Atlantis, The Palm, under the theme ‘Desalination for a Better World’.
    The Congress will address environmental and energy impacts of desalination on the global stage by exploring the challenges, trends and advances in the industry, as a reflection of the aim of both IDA and the industry to make desalination and water reuse sustainable and affordable.
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Re: World's future is with solar energy,Who will think about our future ?

That's exactly what we were discussing last night, is someone in Pakistan serious about Solar energey??? With our power crisis, we should have been the first ones to consider Solar energy.

Solar panels are quite expensive but i think it can be a very good business opportunity in Pakistan, a lot of people can afford it.

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Re: World’s future is with solar energy,Who will think about our future ?

It looks like we are not totally ignoring Solar Energy in Pakistan, found this website on the net.

Pakistan Solar Power, Bringing New World Of Technology at Your Door Step Now! Economical Solar Solutions!

As expected, it’s quite costly. Smallest plan "200 watts " can cost you more than Rs 100,000.

I am sure if government starts investing in this technology at a larger scale, these prices will come down a lot.
As i said earlier, Pakistan is most suitable for this kind of power option and it can be a very profitable business.

Good article on Solar energey in Pakistan:

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Re: World’s future is with solar energy,Who will think about our future ?

@ Anwar Sa’ab , you are right we should learn from others , like UAE can produce oil to the world at the same rate as they are producing today till 2038(as per CIA Fact book calculations) , and they have started planning to make their selves fully independent from the income of Oil till 2020.
In this way they are developing every sector like health , Tourism , Sports , Energy etc.
In sector of Tourism and Sports this Month Yas Marina Grand Prix of Formula Ethihad airways was a unique event.
For Atomic energy UAE sighned a deal with USA some weeks ago.
Plus if you will go through this link you will see how much they are doing for Renewable Energy resources.
Masdar Institute of Science and Technology - A Cooperative Program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Inspite the fact they have considerable insuffient skilled manpower to bring in action their planes , bu still they are hiring others , paying to others to make their planes true.

The main problem in Pakistan is sustainability in our Polices , our Policy makers mostly engage how to form new government and collapse the existing one.

For solar energy we have many feasible areas in Pakistan , where sun lights falls with greater intensity hence more feasible for huge solar plants.
We have a vast coast boundry , where wind energy prodcution have a good feasiblity.

Al Humdu Lillah we have at least initiated for Atomic Energy and have considerable production from that.

How many Dams are feasible in pakistan , where hydel energy production is feasible , but , we know due to many compromises we are not bringing them in actions.

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Solar energy in significant quantity (more than 50% of national needs of Pak) is perhaps a distant future.

That type of solar energy production may not be possible until 2075 or later.

So what should Pakistan do in the NEAR future that is in the periods of 2010-2075?

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Re: World's future is with solar energy,Who will think about our future ?

I think we in Pakistan can encourage use of Solar energy at small scale, where bank financing can play a very good role.
Like for home use banks can facilitate Home users to use Solar panels at small scale at least.
I was really surprised when I saw some years before in a remote village of Waziristan located in mountaineous area illuminated lights , only one home had dazling lights at home.
i was really curious to know how did they managed light there , I was told by my friend that this people have bought solar panels , batteries will get charged from day sun rays and they being used at night for lighting , fan running etc purposes. As that area was hilly area so climate is pleasantly cold there, but at least for lighting , they were using Solar panels, by further enquiry I came to know that the total cost of that system was about 15000PKRs.
Samilarly we can encourage people for home usage such type of small small schemes.
another example was of Khusath (Afganistan) , where one of Technician from Bannu(Near By settled area to N.waziristan) , had designed a generator to operate for Water Penstock and produce Electricity for some houses.
Yes,
Every time a question arises , who will be bothering for such things, and we also as Citizens are ONLY EXPERTS in Critizing our Govt or State , what is our contribution in the Progress of our country , we should also think in this way too.

eshaq ki qurbani
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Nothing personal!

But this post shows the basic lack of understanding of modern day energy supply systems.

Remember this. In this time and era, we don't just replace Laltain with solar powered candle. Even though it helps to have a light bulb in the house, but that is NEVER the goal of modern energy supply.

In today's world

-------- ordinary people need UNINTERRUPTED and reliable energy

----- BOTH
--------for the light bulb at home,
----AND

--------for the HEAVY machinery in the factories and large amounts of reliable supply to the offices.

Thus the examples of home-solar, makes a mockery of our energy needs by simply trivializing the issue of energy crisis in Pakistan.

Pakistan would soon need 100,000 Mega watts. And we can only produce 15-20 thousand at the moment. Thus we are in a NET deficit of 80,000 mega watts.

And Solar can only provide 0.5 - 1 thousand mega watts by using the BEST and the LATEST available from Germany, Japan, and the USA.

Not only the amount of energy is an issue with solar,

BUT

The TOTAL COST for solar energy is 5-30 times HIGHER than conventional clean-coal and nuclear sources.

Thus for the next 50-65 years, solar **in the world and especially in Pakistan will remain a **fancy, fashionable, and VERY EXPENSIVE item.

The real plan for Pak's energy future must include clean-coal and nuclear. All our effort and policies must be changed and directed towards these two sources. Otherwise we'll continue our downwards trend of becoming another Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan.

Eid-Ul-Adha - Hajj-E-Akbar - (Oct-Time Pass)
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Solar energy is many times expensive than obtaining energy from conventional re-sources such as mineral oil and gas, coal and nuclear power. It will take 2 to three decades to make this technology viable.

Nuclear power plants and coal at Lakhra can solve the problem of energy crisis for many years to come. Pakistan has the technology and can install as many nuclear power plants in all big cities.

Coke Studio Season 7
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Re: World's future is with solar energy,Who will think about our future ?

On what ever scale you are using Power or generating power the basic principle would always remain unchanged , how it is generated or consumed.
Electrical power generates by pressurising the free electrons in a conducting matterial and consumed in form of Heat production.
The question important is what are our capabilities and efficiences I mean what is economical for us.
I would reiterate my openion for encouraging Power generation on small scales, for example if Solar Panels acquirment is made conventiant for a remote village in Pakistan , that would be more economical than arranging for High Tension Transmission lines.
that would need fixing cost , maintenance cost plus operation staff cost.
The loss in power in case of transmission and the possiblity of waste and misuse of power by villagers.
and villagers could also have its benifits by avoiding bills paying etc , and it could prove a sustainable policy.

Yes , you would say , it will not run heavy mechinaries in our factories , but at least it sheid some of load on our Departments and Power which in no is advisble be discouraged.
But , the fact is that , is there any one such abmisious out there ?

By saying or proposing power production on small scale does not mean some in trivalizing Power Production for our National needs for running heavy mechinary of our industries etc , that do needs our prime attention.

I donot think , building National Power Needs on mere use of Coal and Nuclear could ever be recommended for Long Term and Sustainable Energy production , because these both ways needs Fuel for their use that would be Coal and Urinium , which could ever cease too , but Solar energy initial Cost could prove high , but it would be ever lasting source of Energy source.

Nuclear source could be encourage due to we being declared Nuclear Power and our authority for Urinium enrichment.

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Not just solar, but other alternative energy sources are the need of Pakistan's future.