Wind Hybrid Power System for Antarctica Inmarsat Link

This paper discusses the design parameters, installation and operating history of the power system installed for the remote earth station at Black Island, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. The relocation of the primary Pacific Basin INMARSAT satellite required that the INMARSAT earth station at McMurdo Sound be moved to maintain line-of-site communications. Since Mount Erebus (3796 meters) obstructed the beam path in the vicinity of McMurdo Station where power was available, an alternate remote location was chosen for the terrestrial and satellite link equipment. A MicroGrid™ hybrid wind/vapor turbine generator system provides all the power and environmental control required at this extreme location.