NSF tests the winds

science experiment at its most basic....

WOW! Can you believe it? NSF has actually brought down some scientific research on the use of small wind turbines, solar panels, and SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels) in Antarctica. We seem to be a little behind the times... see my early post on the Belgian Princess Elisabeth Station.


the SIPs box


one solar panel on each exterior wall


the tiny, yet beautiful, wind turbines

Never to be out done, here is the American Answer. Beautiful workmanship in those SIPs walls, folks... or perhaps thats supposed to be a rainscreen?


SIPs rainscreen?

Can you tell I'm a little flabbergasted at the lethargy of our government and supposed cutting edge science foundation?

In better news, I have heard that there are wind turbines and solar panels, probably leftover from the '70s, out at Black Rock Island. That is our main communications hub, and I've been told that about 70% of their energy comes from these renewable resources. Now why can't that technology be applied to McMurdo Station?


wind turbine in detail

I recently spoke with a woman who works in the water/power plants here, and she told me that we will indeed, some day, have wind power. It seems that we are going half-sies with the Kiwis (at Scott Base) on a couple of experimental wind turbines in the next 5 years or so. They will be installed on one of the high ridges around McMurdo and (hopefully!) power most of Scott Base. So far this is all rumors... maybe in 5 years we'll actually see some progress!