The South Pole is entirely powered by diesel fuel. This energy system could reduce energy consumption by 95%

There are many research stations in Antarctica, all of which are powered by energy generated by diesel fuel. But that’s it for now. A new study shows that a hybrid renewable system could reduce diesel consumption at the South Pole by 95 percent. This system will generate energy using solar panels, wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries.

The authors of the study conducted an in-depth analysis to test the feasibility and impact of their proposed renewable energy system. The analysis shows that once operational, their system will be able to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 1,210 metric tons. This is equivalent to the carbon footprint of 157 American households.

However, the main problem with many renewable energy solutions is that they look great on paper but are not economically viable. This is not the case here, as the researchers also provided an estimated return on investment for their system.

“The cost of purchasing and installing a renewable energy system would be approximately US$9.7 million. However, after this initial investment, reduced diesel consumption will lead to net savings of US$57 million over 15 years, with a payback period of approximately two years,” said Amy Bender, one of the study’s authors and a physicist at Argonne National Laboratory. Learning ZME.

Sun and wind alone are not enough

The overall power used at research stations at the South Pole is low compared to other places in the world. However, because the South Pole region is so remote, transporting supplies such as diesel fuel is quite difficult and expensive.

Energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind energy can reduce the need for fuel and, of course, avoid greenhouse gas emissions produced by diesel generators. However, a system consisting solely of solar panels or wind turbines, or even both, will not be enough to meet the energy needs of research stations at the South Pole.

“The South Pole is particularly unique because the sun is either always above the horizon or always below it. Thus, there is only one sunrise and sunset per year, which means that in summer the sun always rises and can provide energy, but in winter there is no sunlight, only darkness for 24 hours. So the solar panels won’t generate any energy,” Amy said.

Wind energy is available all year round, but the power from wind turbines is also not constant, so they cannot be completely relied on. This is where the proposed hybrid system can make a difference.

A hybrid system is best suited to the South Pole

The hybrid renewable energy system will use solar panels, wind turbines, lithium-ion batteries and long-range energy storage solutions to power the South Pole year-round. The idea is that during the “Australian” summer (summer in the southern hemisphere), solar panels will collect solar radiation and then produce energy.

Then there are wind turbines, which produce power based on the wind speed at a given time. They would generate most of their power in winter. However, as mentioned earlier, wind speeds can fluctuate up and down, as can solar energy produced in the summer.

“That’s why we have lithium-ion batteries for periods when there is not enough sun and wind. They will charge from solar panels and wind turbines and then provide energy when these resources are not generating enough power,” Amy said Learning ZME.

However, from time to time the batteries can also use up all the stored energy and then the power is provided by the diesel generator. Therefore, the study mentioned that the system can reduce diesel consumption by 95 percent because five percent of diesel will still be needed when renewable energy is not sufficient.

According to the study’s authors, once launched, the hybrid system will produce 170 kW of power all day long, all year round. That’s enough to meet the daily energy needs of nearly 140 U.S. households.

The transition from diesel to renewable energy sources will take time

Amy says their study is a first step towards improving the South Pole’s carbon footprint. He suggests that decarbonizing this one extreme and remote region will help us preserve Antarctica’s pristine environment.

“All power at the South Pole is currently generated by diesel and generator. We asked whether it is possible to switch to renewable energy. This study is the beginning of an effort to prove that point,” Amy said.

This will also encourage the adoption of renewable energy in other parts of the world where it is relatively easier to create such hybrid systems.

However, researchers cannot immediately replace diesel with renewable energy at the South Pole. They still need to figure out what type of wind turbines can withstand and generate maximum power during extreme winter weather, and how they will protect their system from the large accumulations of snow that result from lingering snow.

“It would be several years before we had a major deployment of renewable energy technology at the South Pole. Generally speaking, plans for work at the South Pole are prepared years in advance, but we also want this time to be fully developed, to address engineering challenges (including the two above) and to conduct small-scale demonstrations,” Amy said.

The study was published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.