PROGRAM 

Desertec is the largest private green energy initiative ever. With an investment of 400 billion Euros, RWE, Siemens, Deutsche Bank, Münchner Rück and others plan to build a huge solar power plant in Africa to supply Europe with electricity. From the initial 13 members of the initiative, Desertec has now grown to twenty. Among them is the French energy supplier EDF. From all appearances, the "solar plan" is becoming a reality for the Mediterranean Union.

However, in view of the mammoth project, expectations are as high as doubters are dubious. But is Desertec even feasible?
 
•    Is Desertec technically feasible? What do the potential solutions offered by building contractors and operators look like?  
•    How will the electricity-producing regions connect to Europe?
•    How will stationary storage and the smart grid be managed?
•    How to plan against related dangers of international High Voltage Current Lines (terrorist attacks, pressure not to supply countries with energy)?
•    What about funding? What are the next big steps (politically, economically)?
These and other questions will be answered from a German-French perspective in Frankfurt and Paris via live video conference on December 1, 2009. Cocktail and networking will follow. 
 
AGENDA
 
6:30 pm CET Registration and reception  
6:45 pm CET Introduction 
•    Where is Desertec in relation to the Barcelona-Process?
•    Perspectives of the Mediterranean solar plan (objective?): "harmonized European Initiative” - regulatory frameworks, EU subsidies, the role France and Germany play in this process 
 
7:00pm CET German-French Round Table on Desertec 
Reasons for the project:
•    Quick response to climate change
•    Solar energy secures sustainable development locally 
 
Technical and operational aspects of the project:
•    Which countries are designated as locations? On what grounds?
•    What technology was chosen and why? Using a central or regional structure?
•    What is the average and maximum energy generation expected?
•    Can the energy be stored?
•    How will the electricity be transported to Europe? Along what path? 
 
Are the project risks controlable?
•    Energy security or new dependency (North African coast politically unstable; the power lines run through numerous countries)?
•    Technological Risks
•    How will such a large project be financed and insured? 
 
Economic and financial aspects:
•    Investment in the project, expected ROI?
•    Stability of the consortium, exclusion of competitors, exit opportunities?
•    Creation of monopolies in the energy industry? 
 
Current players and partners, next steps:
•    What kind of (industry) partnerships exist at the moment? Which are possible?
•    What opportunities does the project offer for utilities?
•    What are the next steps? 
 
8:00pm CET Discussion Frankfurt – Paris, followed by Q&A
8:30pm CET Cocktail, Networking
 

SPEAKERS

In Frankfurt:
• Deutsche Bank, Dr. Thomas RÜSCHEN, Asset Finance and Leasing
• M + W Zander GmbH, Manfred Engelhard, Head of Renewable Energies
• Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Dr. Peter Viebahn, Program Manager, Systems Analysis

In Paris:
• EDF, Bernard Delpech,  R&D Group Leader
• OME (Observatoire Méditerranéen de l'Energie), Houda Allal, Director of Studies
 

FACILITATOR

PRTM, Christophe Stylemans & Hans Kuehn