Integration of renewable power systems in an Antarctic Research Station

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 62; pp. 582 - 591
• Main Authors: Boccaletti, Chiara, Di Felice, Pietro, Santini, Ezio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antarctica; Applied sciences; Economics; Electric power generation; Energy; Equipments, installations and applications; European Space Agency; Exact sciences and technology; Natural energy; Panels; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Photovoltaic power systems; Renewable energy; Solar cells; Solar energy; Wind energy; Wind power systems; Photovoltaic power systems; Antarctica; Wind power systems; Wind energy; Renewable energy; Photovoltaic system; Electric power production; Wind power
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2013.08.021

The paper describes the design process of a photovoltaic (PV)-wind power system to be installed in the very challenging ambient conditions of the French-Italian Antarctic Base. Concordia Base has been built with the collaboration of Italian consortium PRNA, French Polar Institute IPEV and European Space Agency ESA. It is one of the three bases not located on the coast and is open all the year. The electrical load of the base, presently supplied by three diesel generators, has been previously characterised measuring the relevant quantities during a period of one year. During the same year an experimental campaign has been conducted to collect the necessary solar irradiance and wind data of the site. Models of the PV panels and of the wind turbine, previously set up and validated, have been used to simulate the plant behaviour and to estimate the possible contribution of renewable energies to the Concordia Antarctic Base supply in the different seasons. Finally, some economical aspects are discussed and the payback period is calculated.
•Solar and wind data have been collected in an Antarctic Research Station during one year.•During the same period, the electrical loads of the Station have been analysed.•A new power plant based on renewable energies have been designed.•Installation and maintenance issues have been considered.•Models of the PV panels and of the wind turbine developed by the authors have been used to predict the plant production.