The EuroAsia Interconnector
The Wikipedia entry for the EuroAsia Interconnector, introduces the project like this.
The EuroAsia Interconnector is a proposed HVDC interconnector between the Greek, Cypriot, and Israeli power grids via the world’s longest submarine power cable (310 kilometres (190 mi) from Israel to Cyprus and 898 kilometres (558 mi) from Cyprus to Greece, for a total of 1,208 kilometres (751 mi)). Connecting Kofinou, Cyprus to Hadera, Israel and Korakias, Crete, Greece and stated to finish construction in 2023.
When completed it will have a capacity of 2 GW.
From Wikipedia, it appears that at least initially, Israel will export electricity produced in gas-fired power stations from their own more than adequate supplies of natural gas.
In Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries Inks Deal With Kingdom of Jordan For Green Hydrogen Study, I published this Google Map of Jordan.
Surely, in the future, the EuroAsia interconnector could be carrying solar generated green electricity from Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to Cyprus and Greece.
As, according to Reuters, Greece covers about 40% of its annual energy needs with Russian gas, this can’t be good for Vlad the Mad and his bloodstained gas.
Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries Inks Deal With Kingdom of Jordan For Green Hydrogen Study
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on The West Australian.
I can’t read the contents without subscribing, but I assume the title says it all.
However, I have a few thoughts.
This Google Map shows the Kingdom of Jordan.
Jordan is outlined in red.
The map suggests how hydrogen could be produced.
- I would assume that there is plenty of sun in Jordan and there appears to be plenty of space for solar panels.
- What is the potential for wind energy in the desert?
- It would appear to me, that there are two routes to export the hydrogen. By pipeline across Israel to the Mediterranean Sea or by tanker from a port on the Red Sea, which just creeps onto the map in the South-West corner.
- Perhaps, a giant electrolyser and export terminal could be built near Aqaba, which is Jordan’s only seaport.
What I like about this plan, is that to the North-East and South-East of Jordan, lie the deserts of Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Could these in future be carpeted with solar panels, where the electricity is fed to Aqaba to create more green hydrogen?
Andrew Forrest is a busy man and seems to be organising a one man project to provide the world with green hydrogen.
- I wrote about his deal with Argentina in Australia’s FFI Plans $8.4 Billion Green Hydrogen Project In Argentina.
- I wrote about his deal with JCB in JCB Signs Green Hydrogen Deal Worth Billions.
He is the second richest Australian according to Wikipedia.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more hydrogen deals at COP26, where Andrew Forrest is involved.
Israel Should Be Funding Alternative Energy, Not Another Gas Pipeline
The title of the post, is the same as that of this article from The Jerusalem Post.
This is the introductory sub-title.
A pipeline only serves interests of the gas tycoons and not the taxpayers or the environmentally minded residents of the region.
The pipeline is proposed to run to Eilat in the South of Israel, which is an area, that gets enough sun for most of its electricity needs.
Some points from the article.
- Jordan will be 100 % daytime solar by 2030.
- Israel could be 100 % daytime solar by 2030.
- The Arava region of Israil will achieve this aim, by the end of this year.
The article gives an interesting insight into how you get electricity, when you have plenty of sun.
A Beam Of Hope In The MIddle East
Science is an area of life, where generally political and other prejudices are left behind. Get the facts right and the answers are generally good, but try to say follow extreme left or right wing views and they just don’t fit scientific facts.
So this article on the BBC’s web site about Sesame, a large synchrotron being built in Jordan, is a real beam of hope. Even the Israelis and the Iranians are working together on the project.
The Anonymous Widower 