The Imperative of Establishing the Mediterranean–Dead Sea Channel: Meeting the Demands of Escalating PV Electricity Production

Abstract

The current landscape of electricity generation in Israel is significantly influenced by a marked increase in solar power output, primarily from photovoltaic (PV) facilities and plants. The rapid growth of solar energy within Israel’s self-sustained energy grid presents challenges for maintaining frequency stability and voltage equilibrium, limiting feasible solar electricity generation to approximately 12–14%. To expand these limits, integrating electrical storage solutions becomes imperative. An optimal proposal, tailored to Israel’s geographic location, involves constructing a conduit linking the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. This initiative would include the installation of reservoirs and hydroelectric stations along the descent to the Dead Sea. Implementing such hydroelectric stations can help mitigate the impacts on frequency and voltage stability caused by the fluctuating nature of solar electricity production. Additionally, it can facilitate peak consumption management in the evening through hydroelectric generation, capable of delivering up to 320–330 MW of electrical power even in initial project phases. Furthermore, this strategic conduit offers additional benefits, such as enhancing PV electricity generation potential to 25–30% without exacerbating frequency control issues, producing an average of (150–180) × 103 m3 of desalinated water daily, and counteracting the steady decline of the Dead Sea, which currently recedes by about 1 m annually. Moreover, there are ancillary benefits from extensive desert area landscaping and the establishment of recreational health centers and resorts. A thorough analysis is imperative to estimate the potential increase in solar electricity generation, considering the unpredictable nature of PV outcomes. Additionally, it is crucial to explore the feasibility of using the Dead Sea for brine discharge from electrical hydro-storage plants as a key aspect of this comprehensive evaluation.