Polar Solar Power Station

Where is the polar station located?

The station is located 220 kilometers from the coast and is solidly anchored on the granite ridge of Utsteinen Nunatak at an altitude of 1382 meters in the Dronning Maud Land region of East Antarctica. Photo: René Robert, International Polar Foundation; Map: GoogleEarth

Can solar power systems be used in polar regions?

The simulations were performed using the Global Solar Energy Estimator (GSEE) simulation code (Pfenninger & Staffell, 2016) and MERRA-2 climate data (Gelaro et al., 2017). The implementation of solar power systems to Polar regions must confront the climatic effects imposed by snow and ice.

Is smart energy management a polar station?

The station’s intelligent microgrid and automatic energy management system are revolutionary. The programmable logic controller determines the priorities for energy use in the station. “Ensuring smart energy management is existential for the polar station,” said David Orgaz, CEO of Schneider Electric Belgium and the Netherlands.

Are solar power plants sustainable in polar regions?

The design of solar power plants should be adapted to be sustainable in Polar regions. The potential for power production and the climatic effects imposed on ground mounted solar power plants in Polar climates are scarcely documented and limit the use of solar power in Polar regions.

Where is Antarctica's Polar Research Station located?

It remains the global benchmark for reducing the environmental footprint in polar research. The station is located 220 kilometers from the coast and is solidly anchored on the granite ridge of Utsteinen Nunatak at an altitude of 1382 meters in the Dronning Maud Land region of East Antarctica.

Can ground mounted solar power plants be adapted to polar regions?

An adaption of the design of solar power plants which ensures high yield and snowdrift resilience should be performed to enable the dispersion of ground mounted solar power plants to Polar regions.