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Technical and economic evaluation of the utilization of solar energy at South Africa's SANAE IV base in Antarctica

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  • Olivier, Jürgen R.
  • Harms, Thomas M.
  • Esterhuyse, Daniël J.

Abstract

The technical and economic feasibility of utilizing solar energy at South Africa's SANAE IV station in Antarctica was evaluated in order to estimate potential financial and external savings, and to alleviate the programme's dependence on the special blend of diesel shipped annually from Cape Town. The average global horizontal and tilted insolation rates at the base were studied, energy consumption data of the station was investigated, technical performance characteristics of devices for harnessing solar energy were assessed and an economic analysis was completed. It was shown that at SANAE IV flat-plate solar thermal collectors could potentially be used in conjunction with the snow smelter (a device that meets the station's fresh water demand) and that photovoltaic modules could feasibly be used to reduce the station's electrical demand. Flat-plate solar thermal collectors could collect solar energy at an average of 3.13R/kWh (viz. 0.49US$/kWh) from a suggested 143m2 array, while comparatively a 40kWp photovoltaic system would be less economically sound and only able to pay back costs at the end of the system's expected 25-year lifetime, generating electricity at an estimated 3.20R/kWh (annual electrical consumption at SANAE IV amounts to more than 1062MWh). The total diesel savings of the solar thermal and photovoltaic systems were estimated at approximately 12245 and 9958l, respectively, which represent savings in externalities of R67338 and R55879 each.

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier, Jürgen R. & Harms, Thomas M. & Esterhuyse, Daniël J., 2008. "Technical and economic evaluation of the utilization of solar energy at South Africa's SANAE IV base in Antarctica," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 1073-1084.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:33:y:2008:i:5:p:1073-1084
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2007.05.044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teetz, H.W. & Harms, T.M. & von Backström, T.W., 2003. "Assessment of the wind power potential at SANAE IV base, Antarctica: a technical and economic feasibility study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(13), pages 2037-2061.
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    2. Babinec, Susan & Baring-Gould, Ian & Bender, Amy N. & Blair, Nate & Li, Xiangkun & Muehleisen, Ralph T. & Olis, Dan & Ovaitt, Silvana, 2024. "Techno-economic analysis of renewable energy generation at the South Pole," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. de Christo, Tiago Malavazi & Fardin, Jussara Farias & Simonetti, Domingos Sávio Lyrio & Encarnação, Lucas Frizera & de Alvarez, Cristina Engel, 2016. "Design and analysis of hybrid energy systems: The Brazilian Antarctic Station case," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 236-246.
    4. Rômulo de Oliveira Azevêdo & Paulo Rotela Junior & Luiz Célio Souza Rocha & Gianfranco Chicco & Giancarlo Aquila & Rogério Santana Peruchi, 2020. "Identification and Analysis of Impact Factors on the Economic Feasibility of Photovoltaic Energy Investments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-40, September.
    5. Obydenkova, Svetlana V. & Pearce, Joshua M., 2016. "Technical viability of mobile solar photovoltaic systems for indigenous nomadic communities in northern latitudes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 253-267.
    6. Mussard, Maxime, 2017. "Solar energy under cold climatic conditions: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 733-745.
    7. Tin, Tina & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Blake, David & Magill, Peter & El Naggar, Saad & Lidstrom, Sven & Ishizawa, Kenji & Berte, Johan, 2010. "Energy efficiency and renewable energy under extreme conditions: Case studies from Antarctica," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 1715-1723.
    8. Zhou, Xinping & Yang, Jiakuan & Wang, Fen & Xiao, Bo, 2009. "Economic analysis of power generation from floating solar chimney power plant," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 736-749, May.
    9. Ayodele, T.R. & Ogunjuyigbe, A.S.O., 2016. "Wind energy potential of Vesleskarvet and the feasibility of meeting the South African׳s SANAE IV energy demand," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 226-234.
    10. Afshar, O. & Saidur, R. & Hasanuzzaman, M. & Jameel, M., 2012. "A review of thermodynamics and heat transfer in solar refrigeration system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5639-5648.

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