Long distance electric transmission of solar thermal power generation for a sustainable development in the mediterranea region

Abstract
Southern Mediterranean countries, with almost 40% of land with direct insolation above 2350 kwh/m² year, present a greater potential for solar thermal power plants than European coutries.For sites with very good solar availability a 300 MWe hybrid plant of the SEGS(Solar Electric Generating System ) type can be competitive, ISCCS ( Integrated Solar Combined Cycles Systems ) plants can also be a good option. One of the main limiting factor is that this potential area is far from European high energy demand centres.In this paper a preliminary study on bulk electrical trasmission ( up to 2GW ) of solar thermal power from Nothern African countries to Europe is carried out.The goal is to define a magnitude order for the cost of energy expoted.