Futuristic design for new Antarctic base

Faber Maunsell’s expertise in laboratory design was a key factor in its success, with the recognition of science as being of over-riding importance throughout the design. Multiple, commonly sized plant will help dramatically reduce the amount of spares needed to keep the station running.

Faber Maunsell's design includes high efficiency combined heat and power generators fuelled with AVTUR diesel suitable for operation in extreme low temperatures.

The new station will introduce renewable energy to Halley for the first time. Evacuated tube solar/thermal collectors have been incorporated on the two energy modules to augment the hot water heating during the summer months taking advantage of 24hr daylight.

The services infrastructure allows for the introduction of photo voltaics and wind turbine energy generation in the future.

On the elevated platforms there will be waste collection bins and compactors. There will also be a sewage treatment plant providing dry sludge, which, along with the food waste, will be incinerated on site. This means that when the modules are moved, there will be minimal waste left behind at the Halley VI site.

Construction and Operation of Halley VI

The structural lightweight steel sub frame of each module will be shipped to site and offloaded onto the sea ice as one complete unit, with legs and skis attached. The 9.5 tonnes structures, within the proven capacity of sea ice, will be towed onto the ice shelf and skied to the site of Halley VI.

Once the frames are in place, prefabricated floor and cladding panels will then be quickly slotted into place. The cladding is formed from a lightweight plywood sandwich enclosing closed cell foam insulation, covered with an aluminum cladding.

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