Energy Management Challenges for Research Infrastructure in Antarctica

George L. Blaisdell and Brian Stone, National Science Foundation

The United States Antarctic Program (USAP) operates three permanent research communities in Antarctica. These stations, and a number of short and long-term field camps, support a vast array of scientific studies, much of it considered world class.

Given that no development exists naturally in Antarctica, that the continent is the size of the United States and Mexico combined, and that the closest developed-world resources are more than 1500 km distant across the South Ocean, it is imperative that efficiencies are demanded of every category of infrastructure. Specialized solutions have necessarily been developed for generation of power, production of water, disposal of waste, transportation systems, materials delivery, connectivity, and provision of cutting edge laboratories.

Two of these facilities, the Crary Science and Engineering Center at McMurdo Station and the new Amundsen-Scott station located at the geographic South Pole, are the focus of this paper. Energy conservation and management initiatives are discussed for these major research facilities.

Findings:

Data collection and problem identification are just beginning for existing facility. Baselining efforts for the new research facility are now being planned. Thus, no lessons have yet been learned.

Labs21 Connection:

The meeting of researcher needs, responsible environmental stewardship, and budgetary leanness in Antarctica is particularly challenging. Engaging the collective wisdom and expertise of the National Laboratory system is viewed by us to be an efficient means of capturing good ideas and leading research results. Identification of key weaknesses of the supportability of our Antarctic laboratories and the potential solution sources in concert with our Labs21 partners will be a major element of our approach.

Biographies:

Not available at this time.

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