Design and analysis of hybrid energy systems: The Brazilian Antarctic Station case.

This paper presents the design and analysis of a hybrid energy system for an Antarctic Station. The research considered the constraints of the extreme climate, the logistics limitations and the technical assets of the Brazilian Antarctic Station. The thermal and electrical annual profiles of the Station, the spreadsheets of the organic solid waste, and the local measured data of wind and sun were investigated. The application of anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power generation, use of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines were analysed. In the renewables analyses, 25 years of local climatic data were

assessed. The influences of air density, temperature and ground reflectance on the renewable generation were also investigated. In order to assess potentials hybrid energy systems for the Brazilian Antarctic Station, possible topologies were organized in groups and then analysed by consumption, performance

and feasibility. The methodology supported the identification of an efficient and feasible energy system for the Brazilian Station. The proposed system reached 37% of fuel saves considering the original demand profile of the Station. This work adopted the liter of oil as a currency, thus in any future time the results can be used for financial studies.