PROSPECTS OF SOLAR HYDROGEN FOR DESERT DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARAB-WORLD

In this paper, the Arab world is surveyed initially for the availabili ty of new and renewable energy sources (NRES) including solar energy. A classification is made based on the level of development and on the energy balance of each Arab country. The target is to utilize these NR ES for hydrogen production and hence for desert development claiming m ore arable land. The emphasis is on using solar energy. Hydrogen will be harnessed along the following avenues: (a) To provide energy for la nd development, (b) to provide energy for pumping and irrigation, (c) to produce fresh water, (d) to produce fertllizers;based on ammonia as a starting raw material. Case studies are presented for Egypt and Sau di Arabia. (C) 1997 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.