Our lives are governed by 600,000 gallons of AN8 jet fuel. That’s what literally everything at the station runs on, and without it, the south pole would be a cold, dead place.
AN8 Jet Fuel is used to power both machinery and equiptment operating on the ice, as well as a huge bank of generators which produce all of the electricity and heat for the station.
The South Pole Power Plant, powered by AN8 Jet Fuel, is buried under the snow in the utility arches. It’s connected to the main station via the utility corridors, and then the “Beer Can” utility lift/stairway. The plant makes both power and heat for the station – power via conventional alternators attached to the giant engines, and heat as waste, extracted from the engines with a heat exchanger, and then pumped to warm the main station via glycol tubes.
A few days ago I was given access to the power plant, and took a few pictures:
A view of the outside of the power plant, covered in snow. It’s directly under and behind the exhaust vents. Next to that are the entrances to the heavy equipment garage, supply and fuel arches.
Checking into the power plant. Everybody signs in, and turns a tag. In the event of an emergency, responders can look at the board to see how many people are in there. Low tech, but effective.
Hearing protection – very important.
The power plant’s main space. Lined up are all of the generators.
UT Charles Letourneau takes a reading on one of the huge primary engines that turn the generators that power the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, and surrounding facilities.
One of the massive engines. This turns an alternator, which is in the process of being swapped out.
The main switchboard for the plant.
https://flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/8267659371/in/photostream/lightbox/
Looking at power graphs. Each one of those spikes is somebody turning on something big – like moving a telescope.
https://flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/8268730536/in/photostream/lightbox/
Comments
7 responses to “The South Pole Power Plant”
Aloha Jeffery,
Harry Donenfeld here and I must admit, I am more than a bit jealous. Yeah, I know, I live on Maui, but I have been to the South Pole-Palmer Research Station and I LOVED it! You go and keep the Donenfeld name alive down there!! Not sure how, but we must be cousins somewhere. Just wanted to connect and say hello! Give a shout when you have the time.
Harry Donenfeld – Grandson Harry Donenfeld, son of Irwin & Alice Donenfeld
[…] electricity and heat we need to live and work – and they’re powered by AN8 Jet Fuel. Previously I wrote about the power plant, now let’s talk about that AN8 powering the […]
[…] Power Plant […]
[…] probably in more detail than actual TV show/movie show writers generally do) and I came across this really cool page on the power station at the Amundsen-Scott base at the South Pole. At least, I thought it was […]
JEFFREY,
My good man, how are you & it is good to see the plant again, when I was working for CATERPILLAR, i did the startup & commissioning,
procedure to these prime power units in 2000/2001.
do you remember me??
Jeffery-
I watched a science show recently where a segment featured your South Pole Research facility. I was so facinated by it all and curious how the station was powered and heated. Thanks so much for educating me on this amazing place. Your efforts and photos are so appreciated.
Why not use wind turbines to generate electricity?