A Scottish company is helping provide the power for the first zero emissions research station in the Antarctic.
Proven Energy 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. The eight wind turbines have already left Proven's factory. One will be installed?at the base site?in January, when the system will be tested. The other seven will be installed later in the year after the end of Antarctica's winter.
