China is working towards 100% renewable power at its Antarctic bases by 2035

Scientists in Antarctica have to deal with extreme cold, wind and months of total darkness while they carry out their research. Inland, the temperature can plummet below minus 80 degrees Celsius (minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit) during winter, while wind speeds of over 100km/h (62mph) – and even over 200km/h – can be experienced for days at a time. While diesel has long been the main energy source for power and heating at research stations in the icy continent, they are now shifting towards renewables. China’s fifth and newest research base in Antarctica, Qinling Station, is a good example of that change – it is mainly powered by clean energy. Qinling, which opened in 2024, already meets more than 60 per cent of its energy needs through solar, wind and hydrogen power and energy storage batteries. Ultimately, the plan is to use renewables for 100 per cent of energy demand at all of China’s Antarctic research stations by 2035, Sun Hongbin, chief scientist on the country’s polar clean energy programme, told state-run China Natural Resources News in June. To do this, a clean energy experimental base for Qinling Station was launched last month during a conference in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. An upgrade of a facility in Taiyuan that simulates extreme polar and sub-polar environments was also unveiled. That facility was the result of an exchange in 2021 between Sun, who is also president of Taiyuan University of Technology, and Antarctic scientists, according to the June report. It quoted Sun as saying that China’s Antarctic expeditions had solely relied on diesel for 37 years. Chinese scientists have experimented with wind turbines and photovoltaic panels but they did not last more than six months in the extreme conditions of Antarctica – not just because of the cold, wind and snow, but also geomagnetic activity, low pressure and low oxygen. The continent also has 24 hours of daylight for several months over summer, or polar day, and 24 hours of complete darkness for several months in winter, or polar night. That makes it difficult to use clean energy sources such as solar panels. Other countries have tried using wind power at their stations but when there is not enough wind they have had to go back to diesel. At Qinling, Sun tried a different approach – a network that combines multiple renewable sources. It draws on solar panels, wind turbines and hydrogen along with energy storage equipment. When there is plenty of sunlight and wind, the electricity they generate can be used directly. During the polar day, surplus electricity can be used to desalinate seawater and produce hydrogen, which can then be stored in tanks and fuel cells. But there are logistical challenges since everything – even a replacement screw – must be brought in by ship or aircraft. Ultra-low temperatures can meanwhile cause the lubricating oil of wind turbines to freeze, while strong ultraviolet light and high winds can damage solar panels. To develop the technology so it is better suited to Antarctic conditions, Sun has simulated them at laboratories in Taiyuan and Inner Mongolia. These facilities can replicate the extreme winds, heavy snow, low temperatures and strong magnetic fields of Antarctica, along with alternating periods of polar day and polar night. Data is also sent to the labs from China’s research stations in Antarctica for analysis. A new wind turbine developed by the team was installed at Qinling Station in March last year. The turbine – which is shaped like a teardrop – can handle low temperatures and strong winds. It is part of an integrated energy management system that has capacity to generate 230 kilowatts of power – or more than 60 per cent of the total used by the station in a day. If there is no wind and sunlight, the system can supply stored power to the station for around 2½ hours a day, with a maximum load of 150kW. At last month’s conference in Taiyuan, scientists also discussed new projects to expand the use of clean energy in polar regions. They included developing rare earth permanent magnet materials and special motors designed for the extreme Antarctic environment, as well as weather-resistant wind turbines and solar panels. These will undergo testing in Taiyuan before they are put to the ultimate test in Antarctica.

China is working towards 100% renewable power at its Antarctic bases by 2035

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}A system that uses wind, solar and hydrogen energy already meets more than 60 per cent of demand at Qinling Station

A system that uses wind, solar and hydrogen energy already meets more than 60 per cent of demand at Qinling Station