GENI-us Letter - April 2006 - 2005 United Nations report on the Benefits, Costs and Issues of International Electric Power Grid Interconnections - Global Energy Network Institute - GENI


	A p r i l — 2 0 0 6
	The GENI-us Letter

2005 United Nations report on the Benefits, Costs, and Issues of International Electric Power Grid Interconnections

Dear GENI Friend,

Last month we ended our report saying: "We do advocate for high-voltage grids that link across time-zones and political boundaries. These grids can deliver electricity generated from abundant renewable energy".

Days ago, we received a copy of a new report from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs that features the complexity and benefits of building transmission across national borders. I'm sharing with you the Executive Summary of this 160 page document. It is rich with information about the technical issues, economic costs, legal agreements, plus the political, social and environmental benefits. And it's right in line with the GENI Initiative.

So why is it taking so long? The first line says it well: "International electric grid interconnections are complex undertakings". Drawing a line on a map from an energy resource to a major population center is easy. Building a grid across borders requires the cooperation of engineers, financiers, politicians, construction firms — plus the involvement of the communities in the region.

Our world remains divided. The wealthy, developed nations have all the legal, financial, political and engineering skills necessary — and our economies are heavily interconnected. The developing nations lack some of these essential requirements, and need our assistance to avoid mistakes and accelerate their own sustainable development.

No one ever said this would be easy. Just reading this Executive Summary highlights the challenges — yet the benefits of clean electricity for all are obvious. The knowledge exists — now we need to accelerate the process. We invite you to share this UN report with someone important to you.

In partnership for the planet,

Peter Meisen

President

p.s. The Matching Grant Program from our GENI Board is continuing, so all new contributions will be doubled! Call or e-mail for details.

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The Global Energy Network Institute focuses on the interconnection of electric power networks between nations and continents, with an emphasis on tapping abundant renewable energy resources. This strategy is the highest priority of the World Game simulation developed by Dr. Buckminster Fuller three decades ago.