Introduction: Energy: The Challenge - Ulysses' Last Journey (01:58)

FREE PREVIEW

Mediterranean Basin's primary natural resources are sun, wind, and water. Globalization threatens to broaden imbalances between northern and southern regions; the future of the area's 530 million residents depends on forming government cooperation.

Expert Advice: Research and Harness (03:48)

Professor Jean-Marie Chevalier attributes population growth for increased energy demands within Mediterranean basin; needs vary from north to south, and currently satisfied by gas, oil, and coal. Advances in fossil fuel extraction and renewable sources must be explored to meet economic and electricity requirements.

Spain: Renewable Resource Pioneers (09:54)

Maranchon Windmill Park is the Mediterranean's largest wind farm, producing electricity for 500,000 residents, and boosting local economy. At Madrid's Institute of Solar Energy, technologies transforming sunlight to heat are developed, allowing for production at night.

Lebanon: Civil War Repercussions (11:19)

In Beruit, political problems handicap energy production and distribution; residents cope with long shut offs by creating open-air wire networks attached to generators. Restructure of the national grid would cost six billion euros; local government corruption prevents reform.

Sahara: Euro-Mediterranean Exploitation (05:31)

Deserts receive more solar energy in hours than humanity uses annually. DESERTEC was founded in Germany to provide European countries with electricity by harnessing renewable energies from regions where most prevalent. Financing has not been secured, but project proponents assert demand increases will justify costs.

Expert Advice: Decentralized Collaboration (02:32)

Chevalier feels that DESERTEC must go forward, but is skeptical about funding; Europeans must be willing to wait for energy investment reimbursements. He suggests electricity exchange to optimize collective production, resource redistribution based on need, and sharing successful methods improving use efficiency.

Turkey: Transportation (11:02)

Istanbul traffic creates congestion and pollution, but the city makes efforts to limit fossil fuel consumption. Their Metrobus system is becoming an example for other Mediterranean countries, and Marmary Tunnel will be the world's largest public transit system.

Expert Advice: Economizing (04:41)

Chevalier points out that all vehicles have solvable efficiency problems; he feels that lowering costs of public transport would entice citizens. The Mediterranean's future depends on cooperation to increase efficiency, diversify energy markets, and utilize alternative sources.

Credits: Energy: The Challenge - Ulysses' Last Journey (00:45)

Credits: Energy: The Challenge - Ulysses' Last Journey