Prinses Elisabeth Base, located on Dronning Maud Land (71°34′S 23°12′E / 71.57°S 23.20°E / -71.57; 23.20) is a Belgian polar station, taken into use on February 15, 2009. The station is the first polar base that combines eco-friendly construction materials, clean and efficient energy use, optimization of the station's energy consumption and clever waste management techniques. The station is built against a ridge (The Utsteinen ridge) that is exposed to gales of up to 300 km/h. The station can withstand such strong winds through its aerodynamical shape and its foundation anchoring of several meters deep into the permafrost. The upper deck of the building is the actual station and looks over the ridge edge. The lower deck contains a garage for snowcat vehicles and other utilities. The Princess Elisabeth base is the only zero emission base on the Antarctic. It runs entirely on solar and wind energy. Upon completion it will be connected to nine wind turbines (currently eight) that stretch out along the Utsteinen ridge. It will house up to 16 scientists at a time.
The station is named after Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, granddaughter of Albert II of Belgium and daughter of Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant.
See also
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