A fully self-sustainable Arctic meteorological station is being developed by Russian scientists, TASS news agency reports.
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The station can operate under a wide range of temperatures (even as low as -70°С) and does not need any permanently stationed personnel. It is anticipated the station will be ready for testing by 2020. The station is designed by the Institute of Monitoring of Climatic and Ecological Systems of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Sibanalitpribor Ltd.
To build such a self-sustainable meteorological station, Russian-made equipment will be used. At the moment, there are no Arctic solutions like that available, as either regular or semiautomated stations are used there (the latter require a regular power sources maintenance). Buying solutions abroad is too expensive. Besides, given the strategic importance of the Arctic territories for the country, use of certain equipment of foreign make is not allowed at all.
It is expected the station can faultlessly operate in strong winds and polar night conditions when solar batteries can not be used for power generation. The problem will be solved through employing equipment which consumes little energy. The station will therefore use a small off-line supply source ensuring a year round operation. Another problem to be resolved is transmission of the data collected by the station in the Arctic. It are likely to be transmitted via satellites.
Invest Foresight has already reported that power supply and power capacity are among key problems in the Arctic exploration. A way out of the situation may be developing hybrid systems, including wind generators, solar batteries, fuel pallets and lithium batteries. The Arctic exploration is a priority for Russia’s development in the foreseeable future and can even become a driving force for the economic growth in the next five to seven years.