Electrolux supports Antarctica project with energy-efficient household appliances
The world’s first zero emissions Antarctic station, the Princess Elisabeth, was officially opened on February 15, 2009, in Dronning Maud Land in Antarctica. The researchers will use Electrolux energy efficient appliances when cooking, cleaning or doing the laundry in this environmentally friendly house.
What makes this 700-square-meter research station stand out from all other research stations on Antarctica is that it is the first polar base in the world operating entirely on renewable energy – a significant achievement in a hostile environment with an average temperature of around -49° Celsius.
Electrolux is a partner in this exciting project, supporting the Princess Elisabeth project with energy-efficient A class or higher household appliances to meet the rigid requirements of energy usage in the base and on Antarctica
Electrolux firmly believes that white goods manufacturers have a key role to play in tackling climate change. If appliances older than ten years were replaced with newer products which consume much less energy, this would have a significant impact on CO2 emissions and the environment. “Its strong environmental reputation and environmentally sound appliances make Electrolux a perfect technical partner in this exciting venture,” said Alain Hubert, co-founder of the International Polar Foundation.
Having an energy-efficient range of products was one of the key criteria for a zero emissions building. A versatile range of Electrolux kitchen appliances was selected by the IPF – not only a double oven and induction hob but also microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, cooker hoods and frost-free chest freezers. Vacuum cleaners, washing machines and dryers were also supplied.
“Electrolux is proud that it can support projects like the Princess Elisabeth Station, which help drive research and awareness of the environmental concerns we face today,” states Henrik Sundström, Vice President Environmental and Sustainability Affairs at Electrolux. “We are very pleased that our appliances matched the energy and water usage requirements for this project. The fact that the appliances chosen for the base are sourced directly from our A class appliance ranges is exciting. It confirms that our products not only exceed current stringent rules on energy and water usage in Europe, but in Antarctica as well.”
Made of eco-friendly construction materials, the Princess Elisabeth runs almost entirely on sustainable energy, thanks to eight wind turbines, solar panels and state-of-the-art insulation. The station will also optimize energy consumption and use the best waste management techniques. It will be home to up to 20 polar scientists and have a design lifetime of at least 25 years.
Financed by the Belgian government and companies like Electrolux, the Princess Elisabeth project has been managed by the International Polar Foundation (IPF).
It took six weeks to move the Princess Elisabeth, and its Electrolux household appliances, 7,000 km to Antarctica on board a Russian ice-breaker. The scientists, scheduled to arrive on January 27, 2009, ended up arriving later than expected due to severe winter storms.
Now that the full scientific team is in place and the research station operational, the team will be probing Antarctica’s ancient ice layer hoping to find important clues to climate change and global warming. Their research will be used to communicate Antarctic history and polar research and to educate people on global warming. The researchers also hope to find a link between CO2 emissions and global warming via Isotopic studies.
Despite the harsh environment on Antarctica, the scientists will have plenty of creature comforts and mod cons with a spacious kitchen, comfy living room and library, offices and separate bedrooms with bunk beds.
“Antarctica is a hostile environment, so in designing this station we decided that the scientists shouldn’t suffer,” says Station Manager Johan Berte. “They’ll have to spend a lot of time indoors, after all.”
For further information, please contact: Electrolux Press hotline +46 8 657 65 07 or press@electrolux.se
Link to Electrolux Antarctica website: www.electrolux.com/antarctica
Wikipedia on Antarctica:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctica
Show location on Google Maps
For more information on IPF or pictures of the base:
Lise Johnson
Tel: + 32 2 543 06 98
E-mail: lise.johnson@polarfoundation.org
