Wind turbines set to break records in Antarctica

[jpak]

http://www.clickpress.com/releases/Detailed/26059005cp.shtml

A British company is helping provide the power for the first zero emissions research station in the Antarctic. Proven Energy, the world’s leading small wind turbine maker, is supplying eight of its 6kW turbines for Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Antarctic research station.

Building the station will take place during the International Polar Federation’s International Polar Year (2007-08) and will enable up to 20 scientists from Belgium and other nations to carry out research on climate change.

Using wind turbines marks a major change in Antarctic stations, which have previously relied on diesel generators causing pollution in the ecologically fragile area. Diesel sets were deployed because wind turbines were thought not to be sturdy enough for the harsh environment. Proven’s turbines though have already broken a number of world records when it comes to durability and are well suited to the conditions they will have to work in at the South Pole.

Previous installations have seen Proven break world records in working during ice storms in Slovenia, sand storms in Saudi Arabia and typhoons and hurricanes in Japan. They have also produced electricity in the highest wind speeds – 150mph in the Shetland Islands – a useful pedigree given Antarctica’s average 53mph wind speeds in winter with gusts up to 200mph.

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note: the US Antarctic program is replacing portable gas generators with small wind turbines and PV systems at remote field camps...

[Tin Man]

1. Living in Anartica must really blow.

Ba-da-boom!

[jpak]

2. LOL!!!1111

:toast:

I shared a seat on a C-141 with the guy who set up those wind/PV systems in Antarctica. He went everywhere down there. I was jealous as hell...

[GliderGuider]

3. Very cool.

Ba-da-bump!