The Sahara Forest Project is a powerful system that could potentially produce enough energy for both Africa and Europe. It aims to provide renewable energy, food, and water to an arid region, creating an oasis in the largely uninhabitable region.
In their system, the sea water collected from the air/pumped in evaporates at the front of the greenhouse, and creates a suitable environment for growing crops in an otherwise desolate area. The collected water then condenses at the back of the greenhouse and is used to clean mirrors on the solar power array which uses them to concentrate the sun's rays to turn the water into steam, driving conventional turbines and generating electricity.
The insect inspiration. A namibian fog beetle tipping its cool bumpy abdomen up to drink the droplets of condensed water running down its back.
Image via flickr: Andrea Sosio
Sahara Forest Project
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