Why 82% of Saudi Arabians Just Live in These Lines
video description
The key issue here (apart from the simple inability of these energy sources to produce enough energy) is storage and consistency. To have a functional power grid you need a steady controlled supply of energy. Renewable are inherently intermittent, and thus to adequately cover the times when it is calm and/or dark, a solar or wind plant needs to have a backup fossil fuel system big enough to cover 100% of the grids consumption. Congratulations, every new renewable plant = another fossil fuel plant. Ideally, you could cover this gap with nuclear, but everyone is running away from that power source at top speed so no dice there either.
One could say that we simply need more renewables and ways to store the energy. While this is true, there is no viable technologies for doing so. Batteries at large scale are terribly inefficient and terrible for the environment while systems like pump storage that use excess power when the sun is out and wind is blowing rely on specialized environmental conditions i. e. elevation and water. Also areas with the capability of producing high renewable energy output (where its really windy or sunny, have issues controlling output. If the power draw on the grid decreases at a plant burning natural gas, they just turn it off. The sun and and wind are not so easily controlled.
That is to say nothing of the plastics and other material derivatives of oil that dominate the economy. Even if we could switch to alternative energy sources, you cannot build to modern world - trains, planes, houses, bowling pins, air conditioners, phones, etc. -- without oil.
Changes will come, but the idea that Saudi Arabi will be hurt economically by renewables any times soon is silly. They look at renewable the same way Texas does. More local renewables means they can sell more of their oil as a means to fill their state coffers. It is that welfare system becoming overtaxed that will effect Saudi Arabia before large scale renewables will have an impact either way. That and the potential for political and religious upheaval in the region also pose a more pressing and dire threat than renewables.
The real reason that Saudi Arabia is trying to diversify their economy is that under that last United States presidential regime, the US was becoming less dependent on foreign oil, not through renewables, but through expansion of their own fossil fuel resources. The current administration has not only shuttered that, but also used vast amount of the U. S. s strategic petroleum reserve, meaning the US will still be dependent on foreign oil. Saudi Arabia is wise to diversify, but I am of the opinion theyll still be in a strong position economically in regards to the U. S. unless something changes drastically in either country.
Date: 2023-12-14
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 29
-JSWahrani
Excellent documentary, yet with only a couple of questionable statements. Medina is documented as an old centre of trade for sure, even in the accounts of Pliny and Ptolemy. But Mecca is a much more recent development as a religious destination for pilgrims, and only mentioned since the Abbasid empire at best. It has never been documented anywhere as a centre of any kind of caravan stops. It would-ve been nonsensical for ancient Arabs/Bedouins to divert their trips up the rocky hills towards the hidden basin of extremely dry Mecca. It is geographically completely out of the way of any ancient commercial route, unsafe, practically uninhabitable, has no trees whatsoever, and was certainly inhospitable to passing merchants with herds of thirsty camels and hungry slaves. Security too would have been impossible to ensure against the various gangs and territorial tribal lords roaming the treacherous rocky desert.
reply
Excellent documentary, yet with only a couple of questionable statements. Medina is documented as an old centre of trade for sure, even in the accounts of Pliny and Ptolemy. But Mecca is a much more recent development as a religious destination for pilgrims, and only mentioned since the Abbasid empire at best. It has never been documented anywhere as a centre of any kind of caravan stops. It would-ve been nonsensical for ancient Arabs/Bedouins to divert their trips up the rocky hills towards the hidden basin of extremely dry Mecca. It is geographically completely out of the way of any ancient commercial route, unsafe, practically uninhabitable, has no trees whatsoever, and was certainly inhospitable to passing merchants with herds of thirsty camels and hungry slaves. Security too would have been impossible to ensure against the various gangs and territorial tribal lords roaming the treacherous rocky desert.
reply
-BS-vx8dg
I absolutely despise and refuse to watch any of the plethora of videos on -Why 80% of Country X- is empty- or -Why 90% of the denizens of Country Y live in only 40% of its area-. FFS, people for whom such videos pop up have a rudimentary understanding of geography, and already understood before the video popped up that people don't live as densely packed in deserts or in steep mountain ranges. I don't want to block Real Life Lore but this sort of crap might make me do it.
-EDIT- Reading through these comments, I can see some real affection for these videos. But JFC, can't you rename them in a way that does not insult us? -Saudi Arabia's Beautiful Empty Quarter That Few Have Seen- would be as tempting a title without the insulting insinuation of what you instead have chosen. (And no, I'm still not watching this until you change the title)
reply
I absolutely despise and refuse to watch any of the plethora of videos on -Why 80% of Country X- is empty- or -Why 90% of the denizens of Country Y live in only 40% of its area-. FFS, people for whom such videos pop up have a rudimentary understanding of geography, and already understood before the video popped up that people don't live as densely packed in deserts or in steep mountain ranges. I don't want to block Real Life Lore but this sort of crap might make me do it.
-EDIT- Reading through these comments, I can see some real affection for these videos. But JFC, can't you rename them in a way that does not insult us? -Saudi Arabia's Beautiful Empty Quarter That Few Have Seen- would be as tempting a title without the insulting insinuation of what you instead have chosen. (And no, I'm still not watching this until you change the title)
reply
-bradparker1020
I assume Saud's feel the oceans are a renewable resource as well. Just like the fishing industry. Boy I really don't have much time for the human race anymore. How humans feel they can alter mother nature to suit their personal needs. What a joke. The Saudi's came out of the desert and they will return to the desert. This time they will be blown away in a sand storm. What a complete waste of money and energy. This is KARMA at her finest. Sit back and watch
reply
I assume Saud's feel the oceans are a renewable resource as well. Just like the fishing industry. Boy I really don't have much time for the human race anymore. How humans feel they can alter mother nature to suit their personal needs. What a joke. The Saudi's came out of the desert and they will return to the desert. This time they will be blown away in a sand storm. What a complete waste of money and energy. This is KARMA at her finest. Sit back and watch
reply
-drjukebox
Many problems here.
The most important - desalination can easily supply Saudi Arabia's water needs.
It can be run by solar power.
Cost is below 1$ /m3.
They are now turning to nuclear power and renewables.
So fake news.
Their problems is rather more to do with their religious views and lack of democracy.
reply
Many problems here.
The most important - desalination can easily supply Saudi Arabia's water needs.
It can be run by solar power.
Cost is below 1$ /m3.
They are now turning to nuclear power and renewables.
So fake news.
Their problems is rather more to do with their religious views and lack of democracy.
reply
-pratyushbanerjee
Gods of Muslims, Jews and Christians all appeared to their respective prophets in one of the most barren part of our planet, neither could help make Arabia a green paradise, only drowned the entire planet into war, plunder, genocide and death in the name of religion. God, if he is there, is one sadistic maniac
reply
Gods of Muslims, Jews and Christians all appeared to their respective prophets in one of the most barren part of our planet, neither could help make Arabia a green paradise, only drowned the entire planet into war, plunder, genocide and death in the name of religion. God, if he is there, is one sadistic maniac
reply
-happyhunting7002
The empty corner used to be a sea, so if you use a time shift crystal, you can easily cross it with a boat. The crystal will turn the sand back into the ocean water and you can cross it by boat as you would cross any body of water.
(I'm joking, this is a reference to the legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword -)
reply
The empty corner used to be a sea, so if you use a time shift crystal, you can easily cross it with a boat. The crystal will turn the sand back into the ocean water and you can cross it by boat as you would cross any body of water.
(I'm joking, this is a reference to the legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword -)
reply
-BK-gl8it
What keeps me really in thought: Many people in Europe think that Saudi Arbabia is going to provide them with green Hydrogen and efuels produced by vast amounts of solar electricity. But now I learn then Saudia Arabia will not even be able to produce its on electricity from renewables by 2030.
reply
What keeps me really in thought: Many people in Europe think that Saudi Arbabia is going to provide them with green Hydrogen and efuels produced by vast amounts of solar electricity. But now I learn then Saudia Arabia will not even be able to produce its on electricity from renewables by 2030.
reply
-rabahsahi6448
Amazing how you have put so much infomartion together
I really Appreciate the level of research
And the way of explaining in detail
You kept almost every aspect of geography environment
Politics and trade routes in
Mind
One of the very good documentaries
reply
Amazing how you have put so much infomartion together
I really Appreciate the level of research
And the way of explaining in detail
You kept almost every aspect of geography environment
Politics and trade routes in
Mind
One of the very good documentaries
reply
-AlexUncut
Really interesting video. If i would run Saudi, i would have aimed to reduce importance of underground water resources ASAP, cause these days it takes a few drones to take out any pipeline be it oil, gas or water so you need non-renewable underground water as backup only.
reply
Really interesting video. If i would run Saudi, i would have aimed to reduce importance of underground water resources ASAP, cause these days it takes a few drones to take out any pipeline be it oil, gas or water so you need non-renewable underground water as backup only.
reply
reallifelore
Another problem with desalination. the water is salty. It-s not tasty. When I lived there, we would have-sweet- water which was extra desalinated. This was for drinking. This didn-t taste good. Then, we would have the -raw- water which was saltier and used for cleaning.
reply
Another problem with desalination. the water is salty. It-s not tasty. When I lived there, we would have-sweet- water which was extra desalinated. This was for drinking. This didn-t taste good. Then, we would have the -raw- water which was saltier and used for cleaning.
reply
-jeremywhite92
I thought Saudi Arabia chose not to export as much oil as it could export, in order to prop up oil prices. If true, that means excess oil production could go desalization plants without economic consequences, even if the environmental consequences are considerable.
reply
I thought Saudi Arabia chose not to export as much oil as it could export, in order to prop up oil prices. If true, that means excess oil production could go desalization plants without economic consequences, even if the environmental consequences are considerable.
reply
-Lovely-1999
You-re lier! There-re many cities in The Middle, East & North of Saudi Srabia. Hafar Albatin city is located north East Saudi Arabia & aged 1400 years & populated more than 1, 265, 000 & there-re many cities in the middle, east & North aged more than thousends years
reply
You-re lier! There-re many cities in The Middle, East & North of Saudi Srabia. Hafar Albatin city is located north East Saudi Arabia & aged 1400 years & populated more than 1, 265, 000 & there-re many cities in the middle, east & North aged more than thousends years
reply
-aziza4395
The empty quarter isn-t empty, lately they discovered a lot natural resources like oil, uranium, natural gas, iron, and others - a lot of people get lost there and die, specially who like to drive there Jews in the San and camp there
reply
The empty quarter isn-t empty, lately they discovered a lot natural resources like oil, uranium, natural gas, iron, and others - a lot of people get lost there and die, specially who like to drive there Jews in the San and camp there
reply
-moaningpheromones
Holy shht it covers most of frickin Europe! What an eye opener.
Those people are not my kind of party but this is a good vid.
1900: 2 million people. Now: ! They've been busy making resources a real problem.
reply
Holy shht it covers most of frickin Europe! What an eye opener.
Those people are not my kind of party but this is a good vid.
1900: 2 million people. Now: ! They've been busy making resources a real problem.
reply
-RandomRads
what if we dug canals from Red Sea and bring the water into deserts? It-s salt water but will it help grow the ecosystem?
I mean instead of investing on palm islands, line or other mindless projects.
reply
what if we dug canals from Red Sea and bring the water into deserts? It-s salt water but will it help grow the ecosystem?
I mean instead of investing on palm islands, line or other mindless projects.
reply
-mohammadhazza3378
As a Saudi I-m actually impressed by how accurate the video is -some details are debatable tho-, but overall thank you for being a reliable source of information in a world that is full of BS.
reply
As a Saudi I-m actually impressed by how accurate the video is -some details are debatable tho-, but overall thank you for being a reliable source of information in a world that is full of BS.
reply
-BeardedGuy_Tawhid
There is architectural technology that can make air conditioning without using power. It does need wind though. It is ancient Arabic and Persian building techniques.
reply
There is architectural technology that can make air conditioning without using power. It does need wind though. It is ancient Arabic and Persian building techniques.
reply
-moaningpheromones
The big take away: Arabs are breeding this planet to the bottom. You let them into Europe or anywhere else, and they'll breed that to the bottom too. Dumb culture.
reply
The big take away: Arabs are breeding this planet to the bottom. You let them into Europe or anywhere else, and they'll breed that to the bottom too. Dumb culture.
reply
-germimonte
33: 14 truism? is that a joke? who tf would voluntarily go for fun to a highly secular, anti lgbtq, anti woman, anti human rights, totalitarian desert wasteland?
reply
33: 14 truism? is that a joke? who tf would voluntarily go for fun to a highly secular, anti lgbtq, anti woman, anti human rights, totalitarian desert wasteland?
reply
-seanfromthemid
-Fleetingly rare nomadic bedoiun- Ummm. First crossing in 1930 but oh also some people just live there. You sound like a Harkonnen and your opean is showing.
reply
-Fleetingly rare nomadic bedoiun- Ummm. First crossing in 1930 but oh also some people just live there. You sound like a Harkonnen and your opean is showing.
reply
-diomuda7903
How ironic when you look at population concentration and you basically realised this formed the Christian cross that are found in Christianity. Ironic.
reply
How ironic when you look at population concentration and you basically realised this formed the Christian cross that are found in Christianity. Ironic.
reply
-lastyhopper2792
is there a website that provides an interactive global participation map based on geography (instead of countries' borders) such as at 7: 22?
reply
is there a website that provides an interactive global participation map based on geography (instead of countries' borders) such as at 7: 22?
reply
-spaceman4294
Areas that are uninhabited is desert, it can't support life. They have to build pipe lines, and they don't have money to run too much pipes.
reply
Areas that are uninhabited is desert, it can't support life. They have to build pipe lines, and they don't have money to run too much pipes.
reply
reallifelore
30: 28. It seems all the sunshine and heat could be used for evaporative water desalination, greatly lowering the expense of the process.
reply
30: 28. It seems all the sunshine and heat could be used for evaporative water desalination, greatly lowering the expense of the process.
reply
-Fabrice1970
With all this empty space in Arabia and considering how rich they are, they should welcome all migrants that try to go to Europe or USA
reply
With all this empty space in Arabia and considering how rich they are, they should welcome all migrants that try to go to Europe or USA
reply
-N20Joe
Saudi could be a one-stop energy Goliath if they turned some of that desert into solar farms and figure out how to export the electricity.
reply
Saudi could be a one-stop energy Goliath if they turned some of that desert into solar farms and figure out how to export the electricity.
reply
reallifelore
Here to save you 37 minutes:
It's sand.
Nothing grows there.
And guess what it will be in a hundred years from now?
reply
Here to save you 37 minutes:
It's sand.
Nothing grows there.
And guess what it will be in a hundred years from now?
reply
-mikethebreeze
Not unusual, go for a drive across Australia one day, you can drive all day and not see anyone. 0. 22% of land is populated
reply
Not unusual, go for a drive across Australia one day, you can drive all day and not see anyone. 0. 22% of land is populated
reply
-brianstewart943
Let me guess, because it-s an arid desolate wasteland on top of a reactionary ultra-conservative theocratic shithole?
reply
Let me guess, because it-s an arid desolate wasteland on top of a reactionary ultra-conservative theocratic shithole?
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
