Investigation of fuel reduction effect of the Antarctic Syowa Base microgrid by introduction of local-supply-and-local-consumption energy

• Published in: Journal of Thermal Science and Technology
• Main Authors: Shin'ya OBARA, Takuya KANAI, Kenji ISHIZAWA, Jorge Morel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers 2014
• Subjects: south pole; microgrid; syowa base; heat pump; electric storage heater; Mechanical engineering and machinery; TJ1-1570; Mechanics of engineering. Applied mechanics; TA349-359; Antarctic; The Antarctic; South Pole; Antarc*; South pole
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1299/jtst.2014jtst0013; https://doaj.org/article/65721822fa35427db9fd2d47855e3742

A small-scale energy network present at the Antarctic Syowa Base (Syowa Base microgrid, SBMG) has issues related to the amount of fuel transported from Japan and the environmental impact from emissions. Therefore, the Syowa Base is considering the introduction of photovoltaics (PV) and wind power generations to drastically increase the local supply and consumption of energy. After the introduction of a type of heat supply system, heat pump system, using engine exhaust heat and an electric storage heater hybrid system into SBMG, the reduced introductory rate of renewable energy and fuel consumption at the Syowa Base was investigated. Results confirmed a reduction in fuel consumption of the base by heat storage using renewable energy, following the introduction of a heat pump and electric storage heater hybrid system. However, for the electric storage heater to function year round, extensive wind power generation was required. The heat pump and electric storage heater hybrid system reduced fuel consumption of the Syowa Base by 15 % in January. On the other hand, hybrid systems reduced fuel consumption to about half of the present system. Fuel reduction was not observed in July and October because these months had a much greater heat demand. Reduction in fuel consumption of the whole base required an increase in the amount of wind power generation, which was influenced very little by the seasonal changes, and an optimization of the electric storage heater operation.