SANAE IV is the current research base of the South African
National Antarctic Expedition and is part of the South African
National Antarctic Program (SANAP). The station was completed in
1997 using a structure that is raised on stilts. This allows free fall of
snow thereby limiting snow deposition. The station consists of
three linked modules, each double-story, 44 m long and 14 m wide
as depicted in Fig. 1. There are two smaller nearby structures that
house the satellite dish used for communications and the diesel
fuel bunkers. The reason for existence of SANAE IV is to provide a
permanent year-round base station for scientists undertaking
research projects under the auspices of SANAP. It is staffed and
maintained the whole year by a team of scientists and support
personnel.
Currently, electrical power is generated for SANAE IV using
three diesel generators [6] that uses roughly 297,872 litre of special
Antarctic Blend Diesel (SAB) each year [4]. The cost of transportation
of this fuel from the nearest city (Cape Town), security of
energy supply to ensure continued performance of the station in
the face of unstable fuel price, determination to run the station
with reduced financial commitment, and most importantly, the
commitment of the researchers to preserving the fragile environment
of the Antarctic in order not to destroy or pollute the surrounding
ecosystems as laid out in the treaty [3] has made it
imperative to seek alternative means of generating electricity at
the base station.
The use of wind power to meet 100% energy needs of SANAE IV
can be achieved if the wind resource of the site is well harnessed.
The excess wind power from wind turbine can be used to generate
hydrogen that can be stored and used in a fuel cell for electricity
generation in the time of low wind resources. The stored hydrogen
can also be used as fuel in a heater and as fuel in station vehicles.
In this way, wind energy could meet virtually all the energy needs
in the base station. This article therefore stand to bridge the gap by
providing useful information on the extractible wind power
potential that can be ultilized for powering the SANAE IV base
station located in Vesleskarvet, Antarctica. The feasibility of using
the wind resource of the site to meet the energy demand of the
station is also explored.