British Antarctic Survey cuts polar energy consumption 09 November 2011

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is using energy sub-metering equipment and software supplied by Elcomponent, at its UK headquarters in Cambridge, and research stations in the Antarctic.

The main installation in the Antarctic is at BAS's Rothera research station, which is operational all year round with staff numbers ranging from 20 in the winter up to 120 at the height of the summer.

It derives all of its electricity from on-site marine gas oil powered generator sets, with demand varying from 180kW in the winter to 360kW in the summer.

Paul Thacker, sustainability and services engineer at BAS, explains that BAS installed 10 Elcomponent sub-meters, with an additional 14 being connected this year to detect opportunities for savings.

"The equipment has proved easy to use, reliable and accurate," comments Thacker, "and the data analysis software is reliable and flexible. In addition, we receive excellent service and support – Elcomponent is always very responsive. It is, for example, currently working on facilities that will allow us to transfer the data from its systems to a SQL database."

He reveals that, currently, a major area of focus is the reverse-osmosis unit that supplies the drinking water for the Rothera research station. This is one of the largest electrical loads, and the BAS team is using data from the energy monitoring system as an aid to establishing ways to cut consumption.

The sub-metering system is also providing data, via satellite link, about energy used by the organisation's IT installation – mentoring power consumption of the servers separately from the air-conditioning plant to help optimise cooling.

Brian Tinham

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