Is it practical to use deserts to generate solar power, using the electricity to create hydrogen for export.?

Question

Deserts are 'waste land' not good for much, but they do have a lot of energy coming down from the sun. They are usually too far away from cities to make transmission of the power worthwhile, but, if they were used to make a useful transportable energy source (hydrogen?) on the spot, it seems to me large amounts of pollution free transportable energy could be generated from the sun, using 'worthless' land. Transportation of the end product is another question, but in some parts of the world, deserts are close to oceans meaning the product could be shipped.

Answer 1

it is practical if u think it is practical enough. u can implement this if u want in order to help the environment. i agree with u 100%

Answer 2

Good idea. We need more, lots more. One problem is you need lots of water, not much in the desert.

Answer 3

Can be done, but it isn't really cost effective.  It takes power to create Hydrogen and then it has to be compressed, stored and shipped.  It is a hazardous cargo and that means extra precautions, trucking, special routes, etc... By the time it reaches the market, it would be very expensive.

Transmission lines are already up.  Thousands of miles of transmission lines already connect the states in a massive electrical grid.  Oregon sold power to California during it's power shortage.

Answer 4

this is not a new idea

http://www.csptoday.com/reports/trec_whi...