Being built to house up to 52 members of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Halley VI is the latest in the series of Halley stations that have been operating since 1956. Designed by Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, the new station incorporates seven 60-tonne laboratory, energy and sleeping modules raised on giant legs and booted with skis.
There is also a separate large module, which houses all the administrative and living facilities. The elevated modular configuration lifts Halley VI above accumulating surface snow (up to 1.5m per year) and enables it to be moved periodically to accommodate shifts and cracks in its location on the Brunt Ice Shelf.
Working with M&E supply contractor Merit Merrell Technology and consultants Faber Maunsell, Metway's Wiring System Division has put forward a pre-fabricated wiring solution designed to supply all luminaires and small power units.
Steve Chessell, wiring systems general manager for Metway, explained: "The system needed to be completely foolproof and able to withstand the extraordinarily hostile environment, where external temperatures can fall to - 55ºC and gales can reach 100mph. We had to allow for rapid and easy installation, because work is being carried out to a tight timescale and with no room for error."
The BAS has been conducting scientific research in Antarctica for nearly 60 years, employing over 400 staff and operating three stations in Antarctica and two on South Georgia. Research at Halley includes studying ozone reduction, atmospheric pollution, rising sea levels and climate change.
The Halley VI modules, incorporating the Metway pre-fabricated wiring system, are currently being shipped via Cape Town for onward shipping to Antarctica for construction over three Antarctic summer seasons. Halley VI is due to become operational in December 2010.
(Jim Evans)
