CSP works best in hot deserts and, of course, there are not many of these in the UK! But it is feasible and economic to transmit solar electricity over very long distances using highly-efficient 'HVDC' transmission lines. With transmission losses at about 3% per 1000 km, solar electricity may, for example, be transmitted from North Africa to London with only about 10% loss of power.
In the recent 'TRANS-CSP' report commissioned by the German government, it is estimated that CSP electricity, imported from North Africa and the Middle East, could become one of the cheapest sources of electricity in Europe, ***including the cost of transmission***. That report shows in great detail how Europe can meet all its needs for electricity, make deep cuts in CO2 emissions, and phase out nuclear power at the same time.
The potential of CSP is huge. It has been estimated that less than 1% of the world's hot deserts could generate as much electricity as the world currently uses.
Further information about CSP, and download links for the TRANS-CSP report, may be found at www.trec-uk.org.uk.
