SBIR-STTR Award

Researchers are expanding and developing wind turbine technology for polar applications as an avenue to expanding the ability to develop wind and wind hybrid energy projects in cold weather, and in Arctic and polar environments. The development program is focused on the identification of technical problems specifically related to the polar environment, and performing analysis, detailed engineering, and conceptual designs to address the specific set of identified concerns.The outcome of the program will be the development of an expanded line of wind turbines for a wide range of Commercial cold regions applications. These new turbines will fill a void in the current marketplace, and will be able to make a significant reduction in cost of electrical energy in polar regions. This program makes sense from both economic and environmental perspectives. Not only can energy be supplied at a lower cost per kilowatt hour but also fossil fuel consumption and transportation can be greatly reduced.Commercial Applications:Research will result in Commercial wind turbine models and hybrid power systems for Polar/Arctic environments, worldwide.

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project addresses the problem of integrating high efficiency conventional power sources with renewable power sources in support of operations at remote cold regions research bases and communities. Specific research focus is on the rigid operating requirements and environmental constraints at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station of the United States Antarctic Program for which a major infrastructure redevelopment is being planned. The overall objective of the project is to provide a plan for renewable energy integration at the South Pole Station that serves as a model for other applications. The project will address and document in a comprehensive manner integration issues such as intelligent power systems management and dispersed hybrid power system layout. Wind power will be the subject renewable power source but system design will accommodate other sources such as photovoltaic arrays. The work will include data gathering, hardware qualification, engineering , and planning activities.