A room full of classic lead-acid batteries enables the station to store energy for times when demands exceeds the current energy production. While the renewable energy systems that power the station are reliable and continuously checked, even in the harsh conditions of Antarctica, two generators were installed for security and backup.
The extreme weather conditions and complex logistics of Antarctica put both solar and wind systems under huge stress, which generates operational, technological and budgetary challenges that are also explored in this work. Percentage of total energy consumption covered by renewable energy sources in Antarctic facilities.
In the future, the station's engineering team plans to install hydrogen fuel cells as an additional intermediary backup system. Two of the most omnipresent features of Antarctic weather (during the Austral summer) are the wind and the sun. Two renewable sources that provide free energy to the “zero emission” Princess Elisabeth Antarctica.
The extreme w eather conditions and complex logistics of Antarctica put both solar and that are also explored in this work. paper. They pro vide accommoda tion capacity for over generation and transporta tion. How ever, supplying fuels to hazard with potential long-term envir onmental consequences. decarbonize the globa l energy sys tem.
The panels feed the smart grid of the station with electricity, while any excess production is stored in the batteries. Located on one side of the roof of the Princess Elisabeth Station, the thermal solar panels are used to melt the snow and heat the water to be used in the station's bathrooms and kitchen.
Antarctica is governed internationally by 28 Countries under the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). Under the ATS, Antarctica is designated as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science”, where military activities, nuclear explosions, disposal of radioactive waste, as well as mining are prohibited.