Successful implementation of fully equipped data logging system supplied to the Gabriel de Castilla scientific research center in Antarctica. Objective: Provide a robust, highly reliable and tested data acquisition system for logging and transfer of sensitive scientific data.
Zaragoza, Spain, March 07th, 2020
Early November 2019, the entire data logging system bound for Antarctica left on board the scientific vessel ‘Hespérides’ belonging to the Ministry of Science and Innovation and is operated by the Spanish navy, for what was to become one of our most iconic projects Kintech Engineering have participated in, since we started developing high performance equipment for wind measurement campaigns back in the year 2000.
And what an amazing project this has been. And not an easy one either. High expectations and tough conditions to meet. Requested to supply data logging equipment to be used in the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on earth, our team set out to prepare a set of preassembled data logging systems based on the Orbit 360 data logger. The chosen system had to be robust enough to withstand the local climatic conditions and reliable enough for logging and transferring sensitive scientific seismographic, permafrost as well as meteorological data back via satellite from Antarctica.
Equipment implemented for the Antarctica project:
- Orbit 360 Premium data loggers
- Atlas data logger management software + Atlas Mobile
- Pre-assembled metal cabinets equipped with our BGAN satellite communication module
- Wind powered battery supply system equipped with monitoring and self-diagnostics
- Young Alpine combined wind vane and anemometer
- Seismographs
- Permafrost sensors
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- K611PB pressure sensors
- Pyranometers
In addition to the data acquisition and satellite communication system, our team provided technical support during both setup and testing of the entire data acquisition system on Antarctica.
Why is this project so important and why should I, as a wind farm developer, take this into account when considering what data logger to use for my wind measurement projects?
The high expectations of the Spanish Army for having a well-functioning and reliable system to store and transfer data back via satellite set the bar very high from the beginning. Add to this, the extreme climatic conditions and the remote location, obviously making it particularly difficult to modify the data acquisition system afterwards, a project like this will put any well-designed data acquisition system to the test. The results clearly demonstrate the reliability and robustness of the Orbit 360 data acquisitions system. Reliability that we have built into our system and achieved through years of developments and improvements in close contact with our customers. A system, that is now already one of the most widely sold data acquisition systems for use in wind resource assessment worldwide. For more information about the equipment implemented in the Antarctica Project please feel free to contact us.
About Gabriel de Castilla
Gabriel de Castilla Base is a Spanish research station located on Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. The station was constructed in 1990 and the main mission of the Spanish Army is to manage and maintain the ‘Gabriel de Castilla’ station and provide logistical support, keep the facilities, materiel and equipment of the base in good working condition, thus ensuring that research and tests are carried out with the maximum degree of safety for both Spanish scientists as well as international universities on the island all whilst minimizing environmental impact in the area.
The weather on Antarctica
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent on Earth with average annual temperature ranges from about −10°C on the Antarctic coast to −60°C at the highest parts of the interior. The lowest temperature yet recorded on the Earth’s surface was −89.2°C at the Vostok station on 21 July 1983. Low-pressure systems near the Antarctic coast can interact with katabatic winds to increase their strength. Resulting wind speeds can exceed 100km/h for days at a time and wind gusts well over 200km/h have been measured.
About Kintech Engineering
Kintech Engineering develop and manufacture highly reliable data acquisition systems and sensors widely used in wind & solar resource assessment. Our systems are used globally by industry professionals and scientists to acquire high accuracy data for optimal project development.
More information about our systems can be found on www.kintech-engineering.com or by contacting us on export@kintech-engineering.com
