Sahara as a power plant? This has already been assessed as a ridiculous assumption several times. Because energy is not just about electrical production, but transportation as well. You cannot transport low voltage power very far, unless you start building transformers, rendering the energy output almost nil in the long run. Unless someone has found a new way to solve the problem.
Exactly. Improved battery storage capacity and efficiency might be a solution though. Also, I've never liked the idea of sending solar power generated in the Sahara to Europe. I never hear this concept in terms of helping deliver power to African countries. The exploitative exportation of natural resources from Africa is something that needs to stop in order for the region to rebound economically, politically, and socially.
Couldn't you just electrolyze water locally at small substations and then transport the gases through pipelines? They could be reassembled later near population centers by using fuel cells. Not only would that be a pretty efficient way to transport this energy, it's also a good strategy to make it available during the night.
I assume by your minimal "what water" comment you mean the Sahara couldn't support this concept because it lacks water? Considering the fact that you don't need a lot of water for this to work, there are several things that could be done easily and without a lot of additional cost (in relation to the value of the energy output).
1) Drill wells. There is subterranean water in many places, including otherwise arid landscapes.
2) Transporting water in a pipeline is also pretty easy, especially if you need pipes to transport the gaseous products anyway.
3) Considering the energy density, you could even carry it by truck over a dirt road once in a while.
And whatever you make would have to survive desert conditions. If Dune has taught me anything, it's that sandstorms really cut the workin life expectancy of tech.
Ironically a shielding made of diamond might solve that problem..
