Antarctic Wind Turbines
Three new wind turbines located between the United States' McMurdo Station and New Zealand's Scott Base provide alternative energy for both stations. Under optimal wind conditions, the three turbines produce approximately 330 kilowatts of electricity each, for a total of 990 kw. This would power approximately 100 average American households. This may save as much as 240,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year. The construction of the turbines is a joint project shared by the United States and New Zealand. This is the first electrical grid that connects two different nation's Antarctic stations' electrical systems into one common grid.
McMurdo Station is one of three U.S. research stations on the Antarctic continent. All of the stations are operated by the National Science Foundation's U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). Further information about USAP is available Here. [Note: Please see special restrictions regarding use of this image, below.] (Date of Image: 2009)
Credit: Mike Casey
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