Design of the self-supporting Belgian Antarctic station with <Virtual Environment> and TRNSYS
De Coninck, R., and Berte, J.
December 2006
System Simulation in Buildings 2006 - Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference, Liege, Belgium
In 2004, the Belgian government commissioned the International Polar
Foundation to design and construct a new research base in Antarctica,
to become operational during the International Polar Year at the end of
2007. From the early start, there was an ambition to create a highly
selfsupporting research base.
The first step in the design was to determine the basic shape of the
building. Numerous wind tunnel tests were carried out to define the
impact of the shape on snow built-up and aerodynamic forces. A second
step was a parametric study of the building properties. Quick and basic
simulations were carried out with the software <Virtual
Environment>. On the basis of the result of these simulations it was
concluded that the base could be kept comfortable during the local
summer season by sole use of passive solar energy.
A detailed inventory of possible energy production and storage
technologies led to a solar/wind energy concept. The active use of
solar energy for snow melting and water heating substantially lowers
the electricity demand. The recuperation of wastewater for toilets
after a bio-treatment reduces the overall water consumption. Wind
turbines (48 kWp installed power) and a 10 kWp photovoltaic system will
be combined with a battery or hydrogen storage in order to supply all
the electricity needed.
A TRNSYS model has been built up, taking into account all components
such as the building, water consumption, research facilities, wind
turbines, photovoltaic arrays and storage. The advantage of one
integrated model is to be able to carry out a detailed sensitivity
study for climatic and occupancy influences and emergency situations.
This paper describes the modelling of different components and the
design consequences of the harsh conditions in the Antarctic region.