PDC Harris Group LLC

South Pole, Antarctica

Part of a phased 10-year redevelopment effort of a 7,000 square foot building sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The climate demanded close attention to energy efficiency (fuel costs $12.60 per gallon), personnel safety (ventilation, exhaust, fire detection, fire suppression, heating) and installation techniques to accommodate extreme climatic conditions such as a winter design temperature of -120 degrees F, at a barometric altitude of 12,000 feet. Systems in this facility include:

• Electrical load sensing with alarms set at points approaching maximum permitted demand.
• Emergency power disconnects for all equipment in each shop area.
• Waste heat recovery systems for engine-generator exhaust and jacket water.
• Panelized building construction and systems to minimize floor space and maximize maintenance access.
• Special bonding to create an electrical reference plane in this power plant sited on an ice bed two miles thick.