Worlds first zero-emission Antarctic research station unveiled

Scientists have unveiled the worlds first zero emission Antarctic research station in Brussels.

London, Sept 6 : Scientists have unveiled the world's first zero emission Antarctic research station in Brussels.

Chief designer Johan Berte said the sleek, pod-like station would be powered only by renewable sources of energy, wind and sunlight.

"It was very important to us to show the public that you can be creative with materials to build sustainable solutions, even in these extreme environments," said Berte.

Currently assembled in the Belgian capital, the Princess Elisabeth research station will be shipped to Antarctica and reassembled in its final position on a ridge of granite in Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica in December 2007.

The first research teams to make use of the station will set out in November 2008.

Berte said the building's pod-like structure, which can house a maximum of 20 people, was evolved to maximise sustainability.

"Aesthetics were never a goal in this design. An airplane that flies well usually looks nice, but the shape was entirely decided by rational and measurable tradeoffs," he said.

All essential systems - the electronics, the battery room - are located at the core of the structure, so that the heat they generate radiates out to the rest of the building, which Berte says is very well insulated.

According to New Scientist, the station will be powered by 380 square metres of solar panels on its outer walls and roof, and eight wind turbines. It also has two back-up diesel generators. Three quarters of the water supply will be treated and re-used.

"The word is out that the station is a good use of modern technology without being so cutting edge that people working there become a slave to the technology," said Paul Rose. Rose was the base commander of the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera research station for 10 years.

"You couldn't these days even think about building a base in the Antarctic that wasn't headed towards being totally sustainable," he added.

Frank Pattyn of the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, will lead the first team to use the station in 2008.

Pattyn is a glaciologist interested in understanding Antarctica's contribution to sea-level rises.

He said very little is known about how much ice is being lost or gained in the area around the new station, making it an attractive place for new studies.

ANI