DTGen takes power to Antarctic hub for science

UK leading generator specialist, DTGen has been appointed to design and supply the power solution for the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station – the UK Antarctic hub for frontier science.

Jim Sweeney, Head of Project Delivery & Commissioning at DTGen, said: “This is a fantastic and exciting project to be involved with. The Rothera Antarctic location, the extreme operating environment and the unique application requirements, have created a diverse set of design challenges for us to resolve. We’re delighted to be working with our client GA Barnie to successfully deliver this complex solution, and to support advances in UK research on a global scale.”

The four 200kW life safety diesel generator CHP units have now been successfully tested at the DTGen HQ and delivered to Inverness where multiple packages are being consolidated for onward shipment to the Antarctic.

The new generators will feature heat recovery capture via the engine exhaust gas, jacket water and charge air systems. The equipment has been designed for installation in bespoke acoustically treated spaces and to integrate with the facility’s heating network.

ComAp control modules will be fitted to manage synchronisation and load sharing as well as control for the optimum utilisation of the heat recovery systems. To meet the facility’s layout arrangements, the electrical power skid will be mated to a free-standing remote heat recovery module, which will provide greater flexibility for service maintenance access.

Matt Meaden, Electrical & Power Generation Engineer at British Antarctic Survey, said: “The completed design performs very well, is resilient and has a state-of-the-art control and monitoring system. Once commissioned on site and tuned to our system, I am confident we will see highly efficient and reliable electrical power generation and heat recovery for years to come.”

Rothera Research Station, the largest British Antarctic station, is a centre for biological research and a hub for supporting deep-field and air operations.  Situated on Adelaide Island to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula the site includes the Bonner Laboratory, offices and workshops and a crushed rock runway, hangar and wharf.

During the next decade, Rothera Research Station will be upgraded to ensure its facilities keep the UK at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research. This comprehensive modernisation includes a new wharf for the RRS Sir David Attenborough and a new science and operations facility, the Discovery Building.

Rothera Research Station Modernisation is part of the long-term Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) and will transform how British Antarctic Survey enables and supports polar science. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI-NERC), the modernisation programme represents the largest Government investment in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s.

To find out more about power solutions from DTGen, please visit www.dtgen.co.uk/power-solutions/

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