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Energy efficiency is a key design strategy for the modernization of Amundsen-Scott. Virtually all energy consumed by the station is produced by diesel-fired generators. The generators and all mobile equipment are fueled with AN-8 diesel fuel because of its low freeze point. In addition to power produced by the generators, a modest amount of electrical energy is harvested during the short Austral summer from a 30 kilowatt array of photovoltaic panels. Wind-generated power has been problematic to date due to the difficulty in lubricating and maintaining moving parts in the extreme cold temperatures present at the site. A pilot wind generator project has been performing well at the site. If successful, a modest wind farm will be erected adjacent to the station. No other practical sources of energy are available.
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The station’s fuel storage resupply capacity (currently 1.5M Liters) and cost at approximately $5 per liter, constrains the amount of power that can be produced over the course of the 7-8 month Austral winter (during which there is no way to travel to and resupply the station). With this well defined limitation on the fuel, energy efficiency became the key strategy in determining the physical size and power consuming attributes of the station (See Figure 5).Energy efficiency strategies include:
- A passive envelope design that is configured and oriented to control snow drifting, thus minimizing fuel needed to operate snow clearing equipment to regain access to the station each season.
- An extremely thermally efficient and vapor tight architectural building envelope, incorporating insulation values of R=70 for the roof and soffit, R=50 for walls, a tight and self-healing vapor barrier (Vapor resistance = .007 perms), insulated freezer style doors (R=50), and high performance triple insulated windows (R=6.66).
- A forced water/glycol heat transfer system circulates recovered waste heat from the power generation plant heat recovery system to provide space heating for all occupied areas of the elevated station, and to melt snow for the domestic water system. This system is also employed as a snow melting medium for the station’s deep water well.
- Use of CO2 sensors to determine both occupancy and air quality, and enable the modulation of indoor ventilation on an on demand basis.
- Use of heat recovery from exhaust systems to pre-heat outside air in ventilation systems.
- Modulating outside air based upon exhaust fan operation to reduce overuse of outside air when not needed and eliminate uncontrolled drafts when exhaust fans are energized.
- Use of variable-air-volume system to provide only the air flow needed to meet current space demands, and use of variable speed drives to minimize electrical energy use at the fan when volume requirements are reduced.
- Localized boilers to produce on-demand domestic hot water requirements.
- “Cold-soaking” the summer berthing areas during the winter (approximately 20 percent of the elevated station floor area, to a temperature of 8 degrees C.)
- Use of light interior finishes with medium to high reflectance values, task lighting, and low ambient light levels to minimize power required for electric lighting.
- Use of daylighting during the summer, to minimize the need for electrical lighting.
- Proper detailing of penetrations and openings to minimize the requirement for heat tracing.
- Use of certified EnergyStar office and computer equipment.
- Full commissioning to ensure systems achieve design performance targets.
Proceed to next section: 8. Indoor Environmental Quality
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Sustainable Design
3. Construction History at Amundsen-Scott Station
4. Sustainable Design Goals
5. Minimizing Impacts to the South Pole Research Environment
6. Ensuring a Station Useful Life of 25 Years or More
7. Energy Efficiency
8. Indoor Environmental Quality
9. Conclusion
10. References
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