Potential role of large-scale renewable energy in the environment improvement of China

This paper discusses the potential role of large-scale solar power from desert in alleviating the energy crisis, preventing land desertification and increasing fresh water supply with a macro perspective. The measured data from NASA are used to estimate the potential amount of solar energy that can be developed from desert areas in China. A strategic conception is proposed that transmitting electrical power from integrated renewable energy bases to the eastern coastal to perform seawater desalination, pumping the freshwater to the west areas for combating desertification and mitigating the northern cities of freshwater crisis. The power for desalination and pumping water is estimated. As a huge interruptible load, the desalination and pumping systems are suggested to be used to suppress power fluctuations of integrated renewable energy bases. It is discussed and emphasized that the UHV grid plays an essential role in large-scale optimal allocation and utilization of renewable energy all around China.