The Belgian prince Filip has presented the « Princess Elisabeth » polar station in Brussels. It is the first scientific structure with "zero emission". The goal of this polar base, which will be moved to the South Pole, is to study the effects of the climate change.
It is a unique enterprise… The polar base, Princess Elisabeth, which has been on exhibition and accessible to the general public in the port station ‘Tour & Taxis’ in Brussels, is a unique construction with regard to durable development.
Indeed, it will be the first station located on the South Pole that works only by renewable energy.
The base will be equipped with 8 windmills and solar panels that cover the roof and the exterior walls of the structure; also a water recycling installation is provided. The station will be warmed using a system that combines passive solar heating and cogeneration that is recycling the heat rays that have been emitted by the energetic core, computers, light and even the human presence of the base. Concerning the isolation of the walls, the base avoids any heat loss and maintains the ambient temperature between 18 and 20°C. Moreover, the energetic efficiency of the concept, the energetic control system and the use of energy-saving equipment turns the station into a real "bio"construction prototype.
Research for microbiology, geophysics, …
The building will be disassembled and its parts will be transported in containers through a large ship in the direction of Nunatak Utsteinen in the east of the South Pole. The station will be assembled during the austral summer; this is from November 2007 to March 2008. Many scientific projects will be launched. The program includes research for meteorology, microbiology, geophysics, seismology, terrestrial magnetism and glaciology.
A project of 11.5 millions of euros
This comprehensive project is a result of the collaboration between the public and the private sector as the "Princess Elisabeth" station is realized by the International Polar Foundation (IPF). This foundation is operable thanks to the contribution of various technical partners and the sponsorship of private companies and individual sponsors; the Belgian state assures the funding of the maintenance and the scientific research. In total, the cost of this project is estimated at 11.5 millions of euros.
Published by Francis Vanderbruggen - Visit Website