Summary
The provision of energy services has always held a vital, central role in the support of Antarctic research operations. Progressive increases in research activities and in the standard of facilities have combined to expand the scale and importance of the infrastructures dedicated to the provision of energy services. These infrastructures rely almost exclusively on imported fossil fuels. Over the last decade there has been an increasing emphasis on the reduction of both the quantity of fossil fuels used and the environmental and operational impacts of the infrastructures. As a result, several wide-ranging studies have been conducted, focusing on the characteristics of the current systems and requirements, on the resource potential for renewable energy production, on the technological and operational aspects of renewable production and energy storage and on the potential of advanced energy management systems. This paper reviews the basic concepts of energy requirements and energy production and distribution. It then outlines how the evolution of the stations energy networks towards less fossil fuel dependence and decreased impacts is linked to the evolution towards hybrid networks mixing multiple power generation options and interactive electrical-thermal combinations controlled by advanced energy management systems. The focus is on fixed, hybrid station energy supply networks providing heat and electricity without large, expensive add-on storage capability and hence retaining a minimum amount of fossil-fuel based power production. The aim is to provide a clear, synthetic view of the main guiding principles of the design and operation of the most realistic, reliable options available with current and emerging technologies. This paper also clarifies the reasons behind the current development of energy management strategies and new equipment installations at the Australian and French Antarctic research stations. It can be read as an introduction