Analysis of the Use of Wind Energy to Supplement the Power Needs at McMurdo Station and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica

• Main Authors: Baring-Gould, I., Robichaud, R., McLain, K.
• Other Authors: United States. Department of Energy.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.) 2005
• Subjects: Power Generation; Wind Energy; Wind Turbines; 17 Wind Energy; National Renewable Energy Laboratory; 24 Power Transmission And Distribution; Simulation; Diesel; Antarctica; Wind Turbine; Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station; Hybrid2; Mcmurdo Station; 14 Solar Energy; Wind Power Wind Energy; Power Plants; Power Systems; Amundsen Scott South Pole Station; Amundsen-Scott; Antarctic; McMurdo Station; South Pole; Antarc*; South pole
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/15016224; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1410876/

This report summarizes an analysis of the inclusion of wind-driven power generation technology into the existing diesel power plants at two U.S. Antarctic research stations, McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted the analysis. Raytheon Polar Services, which currently holds the private sector support contract for the two research stations, was a major contributor to this report. To conduct the analysis, available data were obtained on the wind resources, power plant conditions, load, and component cost. Whenever possible, we validated the information. We then used NREL's Hybrid2 power system modeling software to analyze the potential and cost of using wind turbine generators at the two aforementioned facilities. Unfortunately, the power systems and energy allocations at McMurdo and South Pole Station are being redeveloped, so it is not possible to validate future fuel use. This report is an initial assessment of the potential use of wind energy and should be followed by further, more detailed analysis if this option is to be considered further.