Antarctica Pictures | Antarctica Cruise | Facts | History | Ugg Boots | Store | Clothes | Whales | Book, DVD etc. | Schools | Boots | Forum | Site Map | FIDS

 

McMurdo's power station - View of the generators - 2
McMurdo Station - Antarctica

McMurdo Base, thumbnails - Picture Gallery
Base pictures: Going to McMurdo | At McMurdo | McMurdo Vehicles | Power and water | Waste water | Trip to Cape Evans | McMurdo Base

First McMurdo Base page     Previous page     Next page     Last McMurdo Base page

McMurdo's power station.

6 generators, each capable of generating up to 900 kilowatts.

The generators burn 1100 gallons of fuel EACH per DAY - that is, 6600 gallons of fuel per day if all were running - or with three running, as at time of this picture, up to 3300 gallons per day to support 800 people, or a bit over 4 gallons per person per day, if those generators ran at full capacity (which they don't).

The fuel runs downhill from the large fuel tanks, but only as needed - perhaps once per week. They fill a local tank, which then provides fuel to the generators. The valve blocks on the pipeline are kept heated, but the pipes themselves do not need to be kept heated - it sounds like they are empty most of the time anyway.

back to thumbnails
This picture published courtesy of Alan Light - This picture is in the public domain.

Google
This Site  Web
Home | Site Map | Pictures | Antarctica Stock Photos | Facts | History | Antarctica Travel | Clothing | Video | Books | Calendars | Forum | FIDS | Feedback | Antarctica Map | Buy pictures | Find a trip to Antarctica | Ballet flats | Ugg Boots | Schools

Cool Antarctica visitors guest map

Copyright 2001 Paul Ward  copyright issues  |  privacy policy  |     |  Last modified:  January 01, 2009