TÜV SÜD joins Desertec initiative

TÜV SÜD joins Desertec initiative

TÜV SÜD AG has joined the Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii) as Associated Partner, thus stepping up its commitment in the field of renewable energies. The technical service provider offers comprehensive support in the planning, construction and operation of plants that produce energy from renewable sources and in the realization of innovative pilot projects.

"Desertec probably is the world's most significant and most ambitious project on the use of renewable energies at present", explains Dr Manfred Bayerlein, Chief Operations Officer of TÜV SÜD AG. "The companies participating in the initiative contribute significantly to developing and expanding sustainable energy supply." As one of the world's leading providers of testing and certification services, TÜV SÜD has the required know-how and experience to make innovative technologies safe, reliable and cost-efficient. "Our clients in the power-station and energy sectors benefit from our integrated approach to their plants and our comprehensive range of services", explains Dr Bayerlein. This also comprises assistance in the construction, planning and operation of photovoltaic plants, solar thermal power stations and wind farms and the successful implementation of innovative pilot projects.

The Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii) GmbH has set itself the target of powering around 15 per cent of Europe's electricity needs with solar and wind energy by 2050. To reach this goal, the initiative plans to build a host of networked solar thermal power plants and wind farms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Plans provide for the power produced in these plants to be fed into the European power grid via long-distance power lines and to meet significant parts of the power needs in the producer countries. Dii GmbH is to create the prerequisites needed to ensure the rapid implementation of the Desertec concept. Its activities focus on the development of the economic, technical and regulatory framework conditions required to reach this goal.

"Renewables and alternative energy production are becoming increasingly important throughout the world", underlines Dr Boris Gehring, CEO of the Industry Services Division at TÜV SÜD. "We are convinced that our know-how and our experience will make a constructive contribution to the Desertec Industrial Initiative and the successful realization of the Desertec project." According to Dr Gehring, TÜV SÜD's service portfolio extends from feasibility studies, consultancy on regulatory and financial framework conditions and analysis of environmental impacts to the testing and certification of plants, modules and components, quality assurance and support during the construction of solar thermal power stations, photovoltaic plants and wind farms, monitoring of infrastructural projects and even green-power certification and the evaluation of stand-alone projects for the possible issue of certified emission reductions (CERs).

TÜV SÜD's experts support manufacturers, operators and investors in all corners of the world in the planning, construction, commissioning and ongoing operation of plants used to produce energy from renewable sources -- from photovoltaic plants and solar thermal power stations to wind farms and geothermal power stations and, last but not least, hydropower stations and biomass plants. Further information about TÜV SÜD services in this area are available at www.tuev-sued.de

Note for editorial staff: The photo of Dr Manfred Bayerlein can be downloaded in camera-ready resolution from the "Current Press Photos" category www.tuev-sued.de/pressefotos .

Contact: Dr. Thomas Oberst