The large-scale renewable energy system at Qinling Station in Antarctica has been officially commissioned! Unveiling the hardcore technology behind polar power generation.

China’s Antarctic Qinling Station’s large-scale new energy system has officially been put into use! Unveiling the hardcore technology of polar power generation. Amidst the blizzards of Antarctica, a “green power station” is quietly operating. Recently, China’s 41st Antarctic Research Expedition successfully completed the summer mission at Qinling Station, marking the official delivery and use of China’s first multi-energy complementary clean energy system in Antarctica, integrating wind, solar, hydrogen, and energy storage. This system can achieve a maximum annual clean energy share of up to 60%, reducing fossil fuel consumption by hundreds of tons each year, providing a green energy guarantee for Antarctic scientific research, and demonstrating China’s technological strength and sense of responsibility in sustainable polar exploration.

China's Antarctic Qinling Station

I. How Difficult is Power Generation in Antarctica? Temperatures of -40℃ and 12-Scale Gales

Antarctica is the "Earth's refrigerator," with extreme low temperatures reaching -56℃ and storm winds exceeding 100 km/h, which can turn traditional equipment into scrap metal in seconds. However, this system at Qinling Station has withstood it:

• Withstood 50 days of continuous construction in extreme cold, completing a 100 kW wind turbine generator set, a 130 kW photovoltaic array, a 30 kW hydrogen energy system, and a 300 kWh low-temperature energy storage system.

• Deployed backup systems of three 300 kW and one 100 kW diesel generator sets, achieving full coverage of a multi-energy complementary power supply network.

• Provided uninterrupted power supply for 72 consecutive hours at -40℃, generating over 3000 kWh of electricity, ensuring winter scientific research.

• 60% of electricity comes from new energy sources, reducing fuel consumption and protecting the Antarctic净土 (pristine land)!

II. How Strong are Composite Materials? Core Support for Overcoming Harsh Polar Conditions

1. Wind Power Generation System: Carbon Fiber "Overcoming Strength with Flexibility"

   Facing the strong Antarctic winds that can deform steel frames, the wind turbine blades utilize carbon fiber reinforced composite materials (CFRP), which have both -50℃ frost resistance and 18 m/s wind resistance, are 50% lighter than traditional metals, and 30% lighter than traditional glass fiber. In addition, the outer wall of the tower is coated with polyurethane-ceramic nanocomposite coating to resist ice crystal erosion and salt spray corrosion, extending the service life to over 25 years.

2. Photovoltaic Power Generation System: Plastic is More Frost-Resistant than Metal

   In the face of Antarctic snowstorms and salt spray, metal brackets rust through in a year. The photovoltaic brackets at Qinling Station utilize fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) instead of aluminum alloy, reducing the thermal conductivity by 40% and avoiding deformation risks caused by temperature differences during polar days and nights.

   Panel packaging: Covered with ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer) film, which has a light transmittance of 92% and meets the JIS 6002 standard for hail impact resistance.

Photos from the final stage of outdoor tasks at Qinling Station

3. Hydrogen Energy Storage and Transportation System: Wound with Carbon Fiber, Maximizing Safety

   Hydrogen storage devices: Type IV carbon fiber fully wound hydrogen storage cylinders, with a working pressure of 70 MPa and a single cylinder hydrogen storage capacity of 8 kg, which is 57% lighter than steel cylinders.

   Hydrogen pipelines: Lined with polyamide-imide (PAI) composite materials, with hydrogen permeability below 0.1 mL/(m²·h), ensuring sealing safety under extreme low temperatures.

4. Energy Storage Battery System: Batteries Wearing "Aerogel Down Jackets"

   Enclosure design: Utilizes a silica aerogel/polyimide composite sandwich structure with a thermal conductivity of only 0.018 W/(m·K), reducing the temperature drop rate of the battery by 70% in a -40℃ environment.

   Electrode materials: Silicon-carbon composite anode paired with high-nickel ternary cathode, achieving 85% discharge efficiency at -30℃ and a cycle life exceeding 2000 cycles.

"Qingteng" fuel cells manufactured by Jinan Ludong Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SPIC Hydrogen Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd.

III. Comprehensive Benefits: A Technological Benchmark for Green Scientific Research

Environmental Benefits:

• Reduces diesel consumption by approximately 120 tons annually, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 380 tons.

• Noise pollution reduced from 85 decibels to below 50 decibels, protecting the tranquility of the Antarctic ecosystem.

Scientific Research Value:

• Provides stable power for research on Antarctic ice sheet dynamics and atmospheric composition monitoring.

• Constructs the world's first polar multi-energy coupling database to assist in climate model optimization.

International Impact:

• Recommended by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in a special report.

• Technical exchanges have been initiated with the British Halley VI Station and the American McMurdo Station.

IV. Outlook: Global Inspiration from the China Solution

The successful operation of the new energy system at Qinling Station marks the transformation of China's polar scientific research from "resource-consuming" to "environmentally friendly." In the future, the research team will further carry out the following work:

• Develop composite material-based modular energy units to support the construction of inland Antarctic research stations.

• Promote the application of hydrogen-powered ships, electric snowmobiles, and other equipment in polar regions.

• Participate in the formulation of the "Green Technology Guidelines for Antarctic Facilities" and contribute Chinese standards.

Conclusion:

From diesel-driven to clean power supply, from following and learning to technological leadership, the new energy system at Qinling Station is not only the "green heart" of China's Antarctic scientific research but also showcases China's wisdom in addressing extreme climate challenges to the world. As a member of the expedition team said, "Before, we heard the roar of diesel engines, but now we only hear the sound of the wind—this is the tranquility Antarctica should have." Behind this tranquility lies the innovative breakthroughs in composite materials. Every degree of clean electricity on this icy continent is writing new annotations for global sustainable development. The deep integration of China's composite materials and new energy technologies is injecting more possibilities into human exploration of the poles and building a green Earth.