Antarctic Scientific Stations

The scientific research bases in Antarctica are using different technologies including thermal energy to continue their research. During the austral winter of 2006, 40 bases of 20 Nations operated in Antarctica and other 6 countries joined in the Antarctic summer. Thanks to the Antarctic Treaty practically all human activities, except a limited tourism and fishing, are reduced to scientific research, focused primarily on meteorology and climatology, though investigations due to the large number of bodies existing in this ecosystem has expanded. Almost the entire surface of the continent prevails the polar climate, where the average temperature of the warmest month does not exceed 0 C. Called climate of tundra, where the warmest month average exceeds 0 C, occurs only in the more northern coastal areas, as in the Antarctic Peninsula, adjacent and sub-Antarctic Islands. The average temperature in this region is – 17 Celsius. In midsummer, the days in Antarctica have light almost 24 hours a day, at midnight the Sun low to the horizon for then re-upload in a sinusoidal motion apparent, in the brief Antarctic summer hours when the Sun is closest to the horizon are called white nights, while during the long winter days remain in a prolonged darkness.

South of the Antarctic Circle there is at least one day that does not completely the Sun called the Solstice of summer and at least one night in which does not come out completely the Sun called the winter solstice. In the geographical South Pole day lasts for 6 months and the other 6 months night. This is due to the Earth’s rotation axis is tilted with respect to the plane of the orbit of the earth around the Sun. These scientific bases using all the technological advances to carry out their research in the field of the use of the thermal energy want to use direct sunlight in the summer months where Sun is shining almost 24 hours a day, but to take advantage of this thermal energy is important to have highly efficient equipment, some of these scientific bases have shown a great interest in equipment manufactured by a Canadian company called solarbeam, although in this country the weather is adverseThis company has managed to develop a system of solar concentration, which directs the whole solar energy to a focal point, is able to follow the Sun throughout the day thanks to a celestial algorithm and a GPS. This equipment is more efficient due to its system of double shaft that allows you that solar rays always fall perpendicularly to the team making a 262% more efficient than the flat solar panels. This type of renewable technologies is having a wide acceptance in the field of research and science aware how important it is to use energy sources that do not pollute the planet. If you want to have more information on the use of solar thermal energy, visit