Back from another trip to Israel! While exhausting, this trip provided great fodder for the next issue of ReNew Canada -- forming a story on electric vehicles and peak lithium in my head as I type. Not much for WC, though, since the delegation tour was mainly focused on renewable energy innovation.
Arava Power Company's 4.9 MW solar field is under construction. Israel has committed to make 10 per cent of its energy mix renewable by 2020.
Seemed a shame to waste those carbon emissions to get all the way to Eilat, which sits at the tip of the Red Sea, and not visit any of three countries that border it: Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. But our friendly hosts -- Gil, Zavi and Yuriy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not forgetting Herman the driver -- put together a fabulous itinerary. On day one, I ran into fellow Canadians (our country sent a huge delegation) at the opening reception. Despite travel-related delirium, we managed to have a few cold drinks and share airport security stories. On day two, the press delegation joined Arava Power Company as it celebrated the launch of its solar field (see above).
Day three brought us to the golden Aora solar tower, which looks like an item straight from space. Later, we saw (and ate) strawberries and beautiful heirloom tomatoes grown in desert greenhouses, learning about Israel's collaboration with students from other countries to teach them about sustainable agriculture (a tad contradictory considering the water-needy strawberries). The next day, we took turns driving lithium-powered electric vehicles around a concourse at Better Place in Tel Aviv.
Somewhere in there, we found time to take a dip in the Dead Sea. Watch me float!
Reading a Russian newspaper while bobbing in the Dead Sea. Worldly, intellectual, buoyant. (Thanks to Rodrigo for the photo.)