Partner of the first

“zero emission”
reseach station
Press kit
October 16, 2008
Brussels (Belgium)
About Schneider Electric Contacts
Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy
management with operations in more Sustainable Development:
than 100 countries, Schneider Electric Patricia Benchenna
offers integrated solutions across Tel. : +33 (0) 1 41 29 88 70
multiple market segments, including Fax : +33 (0) 1 41 29 71 42
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presence in residential applications.
Focused on making energy safe,
reliable, and efficient, the company's
120,000 employees achieved sales of
more than 17.3 billion euros in 2007,
through an active commitment to help
individuals and organizations
“Make the most of their energy™”.

www.schneider-electric.com

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Schneider Electric provides
energy management for
the first “zero emission”
polar scientific research station
Rueil-Malmaison (France), October 16, 2008 – In Brussels,
Schneider Electric and the International Polar Foundation (IPF) present
the technical part of the first "zero emission" polar scientific research station,
Princess Elisabeth, before its installation in Antarctica.
Schneider Electric is handling all aspects of energy management for this
exceptional project: electrical power supply, technical management, automation,
supervision and remote control of the polar station.
The extreme conditions (violent winds, -40°C) in which the on-board
technologies must operate will demonstrate the quality and reliability of
Schneider Electric products and solutions.
Two of Schneider Electric's employees in Belgium, Jean Chalon and
Wim Van Belle, will participate in the next Belare expedition (Belgian Antarctic
Research Expedition) in 2008-2009, culminating in the official inauguration
of the station before the end of International Polar Year. They will be on
the Utsteinen site (Antarctica) starting in December 2008 to carry out
the integration of the station's technical systems.

“ We share common values

with the International Polar
Foundation: environmental
responsibility, concern for
the planet, and belief in
the absolute necessity
“ The presence of
two Schneider Electric
employees on the Utsteinen
site this year gives us
the opportunity to make
our employees even more
to reduce CO2 emissions. aware of sustainable
I am especially proud development, climate
to be participating in
this technical feat and
great human adventure.
Jean-Pascal Tricoire,
”
Chairman of the Management
Board and CEO
change, and energy issues.
Gilles Vermot-Desroches,
Senior VP
Sustainable Development
”
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Schneider Electric:
Technical partner for an
energy-efficient, non-polluting
polar research station
Schneider Electric is not only handling electrical
distribution, energy management and automation, but
also the supervision and remote communication of the
Princess Elisabeth station. This will be the first time that
Schneider Electric solutions and products have experienced
such extreme conditions (violent winds, -40°C).

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Electrical distribution:
transforming and
distributing electricity
The energy produced by wind
generators and solar panels is stored
in batteries housed at the core of
the polar station, and subsequently
transformed and distributed.
Energy management:
helping to limit energy
consumption
The energy requirements of the
Princess Elisabeth station in Antarctica
are barely 20% of those of any other
Antarctic station of comparable size.
Every energy requirement is analysed,
processed, and then submitted for
approval. The aim is to maintain a
balance between electricity production
and consumption through load
shedding in the electrical circuits.
The energy management algorithm
processes 30,000 variables.
Automation: managing
automation and security
All the intelligence of the management
of the polar station is centralised in
a programmable controller.
Energy production and all the
techniques applied in the polar station
(water treatment, HVAC, ventilation
system, etc.) will not be able to operate
without this control unit.
700 digital inputs, 400 digital
outputs, 300 analogue inputs,
50 analogue outputs.
Supervision: measuring
and monitoring energy
Supervision handles operator
dialogue, i.e. the command control
and configuration of the various
techniques. During scientific
expeditions, supervision allows
the archiving of measurements,
processes, and statuses in a
database; it also generates reports.
Remote communication:
remote monitoring and
management
During hibernation periods
(March to October), the polar station is
monitored and managed remotely.
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Wim Van Belle:
A Schneider Electric Employee
on an Antarctic Expedition
Wim Van Belle, Low-Voltage System Project Engineer
at Schneider Electric. At the age of 28, he will set off for
the Antarctic in late October 2008 for the commissioning
of the polar station.
His Professional for the electrical panels for electrical
Experience distribution and the management of
the various Building Services &
I have been a Low-Voltage Systems
Equipment packages (water treatment,
Project Engineer at Schneider Electric
ventilation, energy management, etc.).
since 2003. I have always tried to
It was then my job to choose the
collect as many different technical
equipment and cable management
experiences as I could at
systems, and then to design and
Schneider Electric. I am especially
create the panels for the programmable
enthusiastic about multi-technique
controllers and the electrical
electrical distribution projects.
distribution.
I also like to help out on building sites
whenever I have the opportunity. In Antarctica, I will support the team in
charge of the electrical installation.
In particular, as an Electrical
Engineer with Axima Contracting
(GDF-Suez Group) between 2002
and 2003, I was involved in the
Berlaymont project (a European
Community building in Brussels) in
the area of electricity and automation.
From 2001 to 2002, as a final-year
student intern at Schneider Electric,
I created a 'servo' system in the
programmable controller department.

His Role in the

Polar Station Project
I have been working on this project
for about 18 months now. First,
alongside Laborelec of the GDF-Suez
Group, I took charge of the design

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His impressions before
leaving for Antarctica
Most of the installations are
prototypes: that is what makes the
project special and interesting, but
also makes it more difficult. We will be
facing unexpected situations, and
many problems will need to be solved
on the spot. We know that, and I am
sure the team will be solid enough to
find appropriate solutions in a very
constructive way.
This is a unique opportunity for this
type of experience, and the thought
of carrying this adventure through
to its conclusion is what motivates
me to go!

He likes: respect, honesty, sobriety.

He dislikes: manipulation.
His greatest adventure to date:
a parasailing jump from 2000 m.

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Schneider Electric and
Sustainable Development
As a global energy management specialist,
Schneider Electric is in a unique position to respond
to the growing need for the optimisation of energy
consumption.

Sustainable development is a real Energetic and environmental

and essential opportunity for
mobilisation, growth, and differentiation,
and it commits Schneider Electric
to producing innovative and effective
solutions to respond to two key
imperatives:
 What products and solutions are
needed in the market to help
developed countries waste less
energy and promote environmentally
sound production and consumption?
 What steps need to be taken in
less developed countries to bring
clean, treated water, electricity and
sustainable economic development
to the 1.6 billion people who have
no access to energy?
responsibility lies at the core of
Schneider Electric culture and strategy.
By supporting its customers with a view
to respecting the environment,
Schneider Electric is taking position as a
key actor in favour of energy efficiency
and safe energy.
By adopting Our Rules of Responsibility
in 2002, Schneider Electric equipped
itself with a collective and individual
reference framework. Likewise,
the Planet and Society barometer,
a company measurement tool set up
in 2005, mobilises every employee
and provides a way to share the
monitoring of action plans with all of
Schneider Electric's partners:
suppliers, customers, employees,
shareholders, and civil society.

> www.barometer.schneider-electric.com

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The Energy Efficiency
Programme
The optimisation of energy
consumption concerns everyone
(turning off the light when you leave
a room, turning down the heating in
your home, etc.), but these measures
only account for a small proportion
of CO2 emissions.
Industry and buildings now represent
over 70% of energy consumption.
Schneider Electric provides complete
energy-efficiency solutions for these
markets, allowing up to 30% energy
savings. These solutions are based on
four stages:
 Measurements to identifying sources
of savings or any malfunctions
 Installing low-consumption
switchgear, control gear and systems
 Improving long-term usage via
automation management tools,
consulting services, training, and
monitoring, whilst maintaining a high
level of performance
 Continuously analysing gains
through maintenance, supervision and
monitoring.
The Energy Access
Programme
Schneider Electric considers access
to energy to be a central aspect of its
social responsibilities. Its aim is to
promote the supply and sustainable
use of electricity to persons who are
deprived of this resource throughout
the world. The design and supply of
a suitable offer, the creation of
companies, the transmission of
knowledge and training of young
people for Schneider Electric activities
are the main vectors of this action.
Schneider Electric is reaching a new
stage in its sustainable development
campaign, and is bringing activities,
responsibility and innovation closer
together through the BipBop energy
access programme. The BipBop
programme relies greatly on the
involvement of local players, and aims
to provide a response to three major
needs:
 Build adequate offers/solutions to be
a champion in the electrical distribution
field for the bottom of the pyramid
 Partner with investment funds to
create companies dedicated to the
electrical business for the bottom of the
pyramid
 Train young people from the bottom of
the pyramid in electrical skills, sponsor
them.
Key figures as of 2007 year-end
2300 young people trained for
careers in electricity in 22 countries
300,000 homes have access to
energy thanks to Schneider Electric
solutions
100 small companies created in the
field of energy
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10
Princess Elisabeth Antarctica,
the first “zero emission”
Polar Research Station
Princess Elisabeth Antarctica is the first "zero emission"
Polar Research Station. Designed, built, and financed by
the International Polar Foundation with the help of its
financial and technical partners, including Schneider Electric,
the polar station produces no carbon dioxide.

An unprecedented project A research base for years

in the field of sustainable
construction
The polar station exclusively uses
sustainable forms of energy (solar
power and wind power).
Every possible measure is applied to
minimise the environmental impact of
the station:
 The station was designed to be an
integrated energetic system, using
materials and technologies that observe
the principles of passive construction,
 During its operation, the station will
be extremely energy-efficient and its
waste water will be fully recycled.
to come
International Polar Year (2007-2009)
is an initiative by the international
scientific community, providing an
opportunity to highlight polar research.
The Princess Elisabeth station is the
only research station to be made
operational during IPY, and will allow
scientists from all over the world to
conduct research in Antarctica, thus
furthering our understanding of climate
change. The areas concerned are
glaciology, meteorology, seismology,
the Earth's magnetic field, and
atmospheric sciences.

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Princess Elisabeth Antarctica: facts and figures
Building
 Annual period of occupation
of the base: 4 months (November
to February)
 Maximum accommodation
capacity: 20 persons
 Useful space inside the polar
station: 495 m2
 Working life: at least 25 years
Energy
 Total demand for the four summer
months: 7000 kWh/month
Total demand for the eight winter
months: 2000 kWh/month
 Total annual demand: 54 MWh
Solar energy

Heating: 22 m2 thermal solar panels

Electricity: 109.5 m2 photovoltaic
solar panels on the polar station, and
270 m2 under the technical premises
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Wind-generated electricity
 9 wind generators, 6 kWh each
Non-sustainable electricity
 Two 44 kWh emergency diesel generators
Location
 Position: 71°57’ S and 23°20’ E
 Distance from the coast: 190 km
 Distance from the nearest base: 500 km
Weather conditions
 Air temperature: -50°C to -5°C
 Dominant katabatic winds, eastern sector
 Monthly average wind speed: 20 km/h
 Monthly maximum wind speed: 125 km/h

Monthly maximum gust speed: 250 km/h

Maximum atmospheric pressure: 830 hPa
 Number of days with 24 hours of daylight:
100 days out of the 120 days of the southern
summer
 International Polar Foundation / Farman Engineering
01
10
16 02
20

04
19
07
03

05

11
06 08
09

23 12 09
08

13

14

sheds
Hangars
18
22
21
17
15

18

sheds
Hangars
Internal plan excluding
sheds and plant areas
Total surface area: 440 m2
01 - Fresh water tank (molten snow): 1500 litres
02 - Recycled water tank: 1500 litres
03 - Batteries: 6000 Ah
04 - Hot water tanks (heated by thermal solar panels): 3 x 500 litres
05 - Bioreactor modules (treatment by bacteria, filtration, pumps, valves,
reclamation system): 1500 litres treated daily
06 - Electronic control system (base command and control software)
07 - Ventilation of technical core: max. 600 m3/h
08 - Two modules, each comprising a clothes washing machine and a drier
09 - Ventilation modules for living quarters: max. 600 m3/h
10 - Living area: approximately 75 m2
11 - Bathroom: 3 showers and 3 sinks
12 - Toilets: 3
13 - Visitors' offices: approximately 40 m2
14 - Laboratories
15 - Access tower to wastewater tank (grey water and lavatory water)
16 - Sleeping quarters (5 rooms with 2-4 beds)
17 - Emergency exit
18 - Access to sheds (not shown in detail, 1000 m2)
19 - Storage cupboards with built-in acoustic and thermal barrier
20 - Kitchen
21 - Doctor's office
22 - Base Manager's office
23 - Base Manager's sleeping quarters 13
Timetable
July 2004 to May 2007
The Belgian government commissions
the International Polar Foundation (IPF)
to design and build a research station
in Antarctica through a partnership
between the private and public sectors
January 2007
Schneider Electric and the IPF sign a
partnership agreement
July 2006 to August 2007
Manufacture of the components of the
station, and pre-assembly in Brussels
September 2007
Inauguration of the polar station in
Brussels (Belgium)
November 2007 to March 2008
Construction of the station building in
Antarctica
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January to March 2008
Assembly of the infrastructures for
the base at the South Pole
June to October 2008
Design and creation of the various
Building Services & Equipment
packages for the polar station
November 2008 to
February 2009
Integration of systems at the station
in Antarctica and first scientific
expedition
Two Schneider Electric employees
are joining the expedition
Official inauguration of
Princess Elisabeth station in Antarctica
in February 2009
The Team
Led by Alain Hubert, Chairman of the
International Polar Foundation and Director
of the Princess Elisabeth station project,
the construction team included approximately
60 people in 2007-2008, and in 2008-2009
it will have approximately 70 members.
This figure includes the first scientific teams,
which will arrive in November 2008. Its members
come from all over the world, from the private
and public sectors; of different ages and
a variety of backgrounds, the members of Belare
expeditions are known for their high spirited
and determination.

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 © International Polar Foundation/R. Robert, Schneider Electric
More:

Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.com
www.barometer.schneider-electric.com
www.foundation.schneider-electric.com

International Polar Fundation

www.polarfoundation.org
www.antarcticstation.org

Schneider Electric SA 43-45, boulevard Franklin-Roosevelt

Sustainable Development Department F-92505 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex (France)
Tel : +33 (0) 1 41 29 70 00 –
Fax : +33 (0) 1 41 29 71 00
http://www.schneider-electric.com October 2008