Wind Energy for SANAE IV

A warm welcome to the South African Antarctic Wind Energy programme! This two-stage programme concerns the installation, testing and integration of three small sized (i.e. 20 kW_rated) cold climate wind turbines. The first stage concerns the design, optimisation and installation of a test wind turbine at the South African Antarctic base, SANAE IV. After a year of testing, the final stage, concerning the installation of two more wind turbines, will commence. These wind turbines are designed and manufactured in South Africa.

The programme is dually managed by the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) and the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University. This wind energy programme starts with SANAP’s 50 year anniversary, marking South Africa’s involvement in Antarctica and its contribution to Antarctic research and engineering.