Green energy fuels expedition to South Pole
LONDON: With solar panels tacked to their sledges and a biofuel made from wood chips to keep them warm, a father and son duo will attempt to reach the South Pole relying solely on green energy.
Seasoned explorer Robert Swan and his 23-year-old son Barney will begin their eightweek, 1 000km expedition on Wednesday, hoping to show renewable energy can work in extreme conditions and prove a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
“For the first time in history we will be surviving only on renewable energy. It’s never been done,” polar veteran Swan, 61, the first person to walk to the North and South poles, said.
The Swans’ 5 000 daily calorie intake will come from sustainable and energy-giving foods, such as grains and almond bars, to help them overcome temperatures of minus 40ºC and the obvious risks of frostbite, altitude sickness and snow blindness.
Perpetual sunlight will charge the solar panels, which will power an ice melter designed by Nasa, to provide them with enough water for drinking and cooking.
“Water is gold down in Antarctica, without it you’re going to be dying pretty quickly, as Dad always reminds me,” said Barney Swan.
While their aim is to com- plete the trek using just solar energy, under extreme weather conditions they’ ll use an advanced biofuel made out of wood chip waste.
“The fuels have been tested to minus 60ºC... it won’t get as cold as minus 60ºC. We may get minus 40ºC which is, trust me, cold enough,” the elder Swan said. – Reuters