International Arctic Station
“Snowflake”

The Snowflake IAS is being created on the initiative of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (a national research university).

The Snowflake IAS is a year-round and fully energy autonomous complex based on renewable energy sources and hydrogen energy.
and hydrogen energy. The facility is expected to be implemented during the Russian Federation's chairmanship of the Arctic Council,
as a scientific and educational platform for international cooperation of engineers, researchers, scientists and scientific youth.

32,3 ha

80 people

49 900 м³

10 200 м²

The goal is to test and demonstrate nature-saving technologies for life support, robotics, telecommunications, medicine, biotechnology, new materials, and artificial intelligence solutions.

Geographical location of the Station

The land plot is located in Priuralsky District, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russian Federation, in the Polar Urals zone.

The construction site is located in a valley between the Rayiz and Hanmeynyrd mountain ranges and includes part of an unnamed reservoir and the Nordvymen Shor stream.

The elevation difference across the site is 20 meters (excluding the depth of the reservoir). The elevations of the site and the nearest mountain peaks have a difference of up to 500 meters with the relief increasing to the north-east and south-west of the construction site. The relief of the site is a gentle slope from the southern foothills of the Hanmeynyrd Ridge with a downward slope to the south.

49 km

70 km

180 km

Natural and climatic conditions of
the construction site

The climate of Yamal is determined by the proximity of the cold Kara Sea, the presence of permafrost, and the abundance of bays and reservoirs.

The climate of the Arctic part of YNAO is characterized by long, cold winters (up to 8 months) with strong storms, frosts and frequent snowstorms, low precipitation, and very short summers (50 days).

In July, temperatures can rise to +35°C. Frequent magnetic storms accompanied by aurora borealis.
These weather conditions maximally meet the requirements for the placement of the Snezhinka IAS as a testing and implementation site for new technologies for the harsh Arctic.

-10°С

-50°С

Building of the main complex of the Station

The main complex of the Station is a four-storey building oriented along the east-west axis.

Dimensions of the main complex building in plan: 68x61 meters, height 18.4 meters.
The area of the main complex building is 5358 m².

The building of the main complex consists of seven dome-type buildings of different purpose: the central building “A” and six radially located buildings. The perimeter buildings are connected by passages with the central building. Each building is a polyhedral dome with
a radius of 18 meters.

The dome shape of the enclosures allows:

- reduce high wind loads,
- reduce the roof area and snow load,
- Reduce the footprint of the enclosure and the thermal impact of the building on
the ground,
- optimize energy efficiency in terms of heating and ventilation,
- organize the volume-planning structure of the building with the possibility of modular expansion of the building or division into autonomous construction stages.

Composition of the buildings:

- Central building “A”
connecting building has a common passage hall of the second floor, a room for leisure activities, conferences, forums, presentations, exhibitions, youth educational camps;

- Social and functional building “B”
kitchen, dining room, gym, yoga room, locker rooms, showers, saunas, massage room;

- Laboratory research buildings “C” and “D”
two domes with rooms for scientific research and development,
physical laboratories, testing
and demonstration of new technologies;

- Administrative building “D”
offices of the Station administration, staff living rooms for 16 people, medical block of the paramedic station level.
with an expanded composition of premises and the possibility of organizing a telemedicine post.

- Buildings “E” and “K”
two dome dormitories with rooms for 60 people.

Residential module in the main complex building

A room for long-term isolation should have a number of features:

- minimization of forms with straight and sharp angles,

- interior-plastic techniques that visually expand the space of the rooms,

- decorative and coloristic ways of imitating a variety of natural environments,

- lighting with variable temperature and luminous intensity
to mimic the natural diurnal cycles of sunlight
during polar night,

- finishing materials with predominantly natural textures and textures (stone, wood, fabric, paper, leather, etc.),
leather, etc.)

Building of the technological complex of the Station

4747.8 м²

97x90.4 m, height 12.745 m

The technological complex of the Station is a two-storey building oriented along the north-south axis and consisting of nine buildings of various engineering and technological purposes and a covered passage to the main complex building. The buildings have an unsupported width in axes of 18 meters.

The spacing of bearing structures is 6 meters. The building is designed according to the relief in order to preserve the cryogenic state of the ground. The H-shaped layout of the building forms two courtyards facing south and north. The courtyards are accessed by evacuation exits with stairs and ramps leading to the entrance gates to the building.

Composition of enclosures:

Enclosure 1: Electrolysis room,
Building 2: Generator room of electrochemical generators,
Building 3: Water supply and sewage,
Building 4: Electrical engineering and ITP,
Building 5: Household, technical and working premises,
Building 6: Workshops,
Building 7: All-terrain vehicle garage,
Building 8: Garage for operational motorized vehicles,
Building 9: Storage area.

4

2

1

3

5

6

7

8

9

Transition between the buildings of the main
and technological complexes

The project involves the construction of a covered ground crossing with a technical corridor and a main utility duct under the passageway part of this crossing.

The area of the transition corridor corridor corridor, flooring and flooring design allow to use the transition for the movement of small mechanization means, such as electric forklifts, self-propelled elevators, electric carts, oversized cleaning equipment, etc.

Recreational facilities on the territory of the Station

The embankment is the only recreational and aesthetic facility intended for recreation of the station's employees and guests. Located on the terrain gradients, the embankment decks provide for walks with a view of the surrounding mountain landscape and the water surface of a large body of water in the warm season.

Small gazebos
are oriented towards the water body and can accommodate up to 4 people for leisure time in nature.

Large gazebo
is designed for social and leisure events for up to 45 people.

The walkway leading from the transition between the buildings of the main and technological complexes to the reservoir is also intended for laying in a special insulated box of pipe and cable routes of the technical and fire water supply systems and the circulation system of heat exchange of the heat pump.

At the same time, a pedestrian route to the embankment located along the shore of a large natural water body runs along this decking.

Station area and road transportation network

The existing relief can be characterized as flat and poorly cross-sectioned, with a distinct difference in elevation and the presence of watersheds.

Surface water drainage from the territory is provided by drainage channels and ditches, on hard road surfaces, with water discharge into rainwater collection wells and further treatment.

Width 4.5 m
Turning
radius 6 m

Roads are made in hard surface (road slabs on gravel preparation).

Width 6 m
Turning
radius 6 m

Width 7 m
Turning
radius 12 m

Handling of domestic and technological secondary resources

Morphological composition of MSW

Food waste
34.34

Waste paper
31.33

Other
0.1

Leather, rubber
0.05

Polymers
16.62

Glass
7.99

Textiles
3.83

Non-ferrous scrap metal
2.15

Ferrous scrap metal
2.45

Wood
1.09

Hazardous waste
0.05

Energy supply from wind and solar energy

The “green mode” of operation of the plant involves obtaining electricity from natural renewable sources such as wind and solar power plants.

The capacity of the plants located at the plant will be sufficient for all electricity needs for the full operation of the plant.
The energy will also be used to keep a large group of lithium-ion batteries fully charged at all times.

In addition, green energy will be used to power the production of blue energy. That is, excess energy from the sun and wind will be used to produce and store pure hydrogen for further use as an alternative source of electricity.

“Green Mode”

Energy supply by hydrogen fuel

The “Blue Mode” of the plant operation involves generation of electricity from previously stored hydrogen.

The hydrogen accumulated in the receiver gas storage tank is supplied to a group of electrochemical generators.

In windless weather, the ECHG (electrochemical generator) generates enough electricity to support the life support and basic functionality of the plant. This includes power supply to heat pumps responsible for heat supply of the plant.

Thus, it is planned to ensure permanent energy independence of the plant from weather conditions.

“Blue Mode”

Wind turbines

One of the main extractive components of the energy supply system will be two groups of wind turbines (WTGs).

Wind turbines operate in automatic mode and convert kinetic wind energy into electrical energy.

The modification of the units used allows them to operate in extreme conditions in the Arctic, taking into account gusty winds and blade icing.

WTGs is an environmentally friendly production and has no significant negative environmental impact factors.

1050 kW

Solar power station

The purpose of building a solar electric station (SES) is to utilize sunlight, converted by photovoltaic modules
into electrical energy.

The technological scheme of the SES provides for the use of equipment:

- photovoltaic modules,
- string-type inverters.

A SES with installed capacity is envisaged

In order to generate the required electric power, the calculation determines the need to locate on the given land plot

To convert DC current from the panels to AC current,
the following is used

308 kW

560

3

photovoltaic modules

inverters

Heating and heat supply. Heat pumps

In connection with full autonomy of the object and the task of maximum energy saving in Arctic conditions for heating and hot water supply needs it is accepted to use heat pumps with total capacity of

Heat pumps are 2.5-3 times more economical than traditional electric boilers.

The regulations provide for the installation of back-up electric boilers.

750 kW

For example, 8 kW of heat is enough to heat one 650 m² dome, and about 60 kW of heat is spent on heating the supply ventilation in the same dome during the cold season.

Heat pumps utilize the constant plus temperature level at the bottom of a body of water as a heat source.

Hydrogen generation. Electrolysis

Hydrogen will be used as an alternative energy source.

For this purpose it is planned to construct an electrolysis station. In which a hydrogen production site is organized by electrolysis of specially prepared deionized water.

Preparation of water for electrolysis is carried out in a separate room of the technological complex.

The principle of operation of electrolysis modules is based
on application of electrochemical method of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water under pressure.

Electrolysis modules produce hydrogen and oxygen by electrolytic dissociation of water molecule.

The water molecule is dissociated into hydrogen gas and oxygen under the action of electric potential.

Hydrogen accumulation and storage. Receiver park

Accumulation and storage of hydrogen, as an indefinite energy source, is one of the priorities of the plant operation. For this purpose, a hydrogen and nitrogen receiver storage site is organized.

Hydrogen receivers are designed to receive, accumulate, store and dispense compressed hydrogen used as a fuel in the power installation on hydrogen electrochemical generators.

The complex of hydrogen receivers includes
24 receivers with a total volume of 42,000 nm3.

The nominal output will be
554.4 nm3/h for at least three days.

Nitrogen receivers are designed for purging the hydrogen piping system and process equipment with hydrogen.

Generating electricity from hydrogen. ECHG

The final phase of the “hydrogen cycle” is the generation of electrical energy from hydrogen.

The site of electric power generation is organized by electrochemical generation on the basis of hydrogen fuel cells with proton exchange membrane with liquid cooling.

During the operation of the power plant it is possible to emit
small amounts of nitrogen and hydrogen into the atmosphere
through purge lines.

As natural components of the atmosphere, these gases pose no environmental hazard.

is the total capacity of a group of electrochemical hydrogen-fueled electricity generators.

500 kW

Lithium-ion battery support and balancing system

When excessive power from the power generation systems occurs, the support-balancing system acts as the primary power regulator. The energy storage in the form of lithium-ion batteries is charged.

If there is a shortage of power generation
in the power system, the batteries also act as the primary power regulator and provide compensation for the missing part of the power from the power generators.

The control algorithms of the energy storage system are developed based on the methods of local control of the primary regulator in the reference bus mode with voltage and frequency maintenance.

Electricity distribution by energy consumers

The composition of the power grid of the power system includes about 80 main consumers.
Of these, ¾ are engineering and technological processes.

Electricity distribution is organized according to the principle of the “Internet of Energy” architecture - a type of decentralized power system, which implements intelligent distributed control through energy transactions between its users.

Algorithms of the system operation are based on accounting of current power consumption by peak loads with half-hour interval and differentiation of priorities by consumers.

In case of increase of electric power generated at the “”Snowflake” station there is a possibility to organize energy bridging to other consumers.

Heat energy recovery of supply and exhaust ventilation

In the process of ventilation, not only the exhaust air is drawn out of the room.
not only the exhaust air, but also part of the heat energy.
In winter, this leads to increased energy consumption and losses.

Heat recovery in ventilation systems of centralized and local type allows to reduce unnecessary costs.
and localized ventilation systems.

Heat exchangers - recuperators - are used for heat energy recovery.

The device provides a heat exchanger element and fans for pumping multidirectional air flows.

allow for the return of the honeycomb recuperators used in our project.

up to 76% heat

Emergency diesel generator station

A diesel generator power plant (DGP) is provided for emergency power supply to the plant.

In the event of an emergency power outage
at the Station, due to the absence of wind, solar and hydrogen simultaneously, the DPS is automatically connected.

A mutually redundant power supply system is built at the DPS.

Parallel operation and load sharing between diesel generators is performed automatically, and one or more diesel generators can operate with a certain under-utilization or in sleep mode, depending on the power consumption in the network.

Water supply

The water supply of the plant is divided into four categories.

1. domestic water.
2. Water for extinguishing fires.
3. Deionized water.
4. Drinking water.

Household and technological needs are provided with water
from the water intake unit.

Domestic and technological needs are provided with water from the water intake unit. from the water intake unit. The complex water intake unit is located in a natural reservoir on the territory of the plant.
It is designed for water intake and supply for the internal domestic water supply system, as well as for deionized water preparation units for the hydrogen preparation station. From the same source water is supplied to the fire water supply system.

Potable water for cooking
Drinking water for cooking and direct consumption is assumed to be imported.

is the design capacity of the total water consumption of the station.

43.52 m³/day

Treatment of domestic, process and surface wastewater
and surface wastewater

There are two independent treatment facilities for domestic wastewater at the station.

The treatment facilities are designed for treatment to meet the discharge requirements for water bodies of fishery significance of the highest category of domestic wastewater.

The initial raw material is domestic wastewater from the sewage system of the Main Building.

The output product is treated domestic wastewater.

Sludge sludge is dehydrated and disposed of to appropriate landfills.

Ensuring fire safety

External and internal fire extinguishing systems are provided at the Station. The main source of water for external fire extinguishing is a natural water reservoir located nearby.

The following automatic fire extinguishing systems are provided at the station:

1) Modular fire extinguishing unit with finely atomized high-pressure water;
2) Volumetric automatic gas fire extinguishing units;
3) Foam fire extinguishing unit for diesel power generators and fuel storage.

The station provides for the maintenance of a fire engine,
for which a separate box is equipped in the building of the technological complex.

The fire brigade is staffed by permanent employees of the station who have undergone special training.

In addition to the above measures, an automatic fire alarm system and smoke removal system will be installed.

Communication, automation and dispatching systems

The station will have a system of complex automation and dispatching of technological processes, which is designed to perform the following main functions:

- collection, processing and archiving of operational information coming from process equipment;

- accounting of operating hours of process equipment
and planning of maintenance works;

- parameter visualization, remote control
and operational control by SCADA-system operator (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition);

- promptly informing responsible personnel about pre-emergency and emergency situations;

- transfer of the current state of process equipment into the system to assess the possibility of its shutdown at the current moment of time to adjust the energy balance.

In addition, a comprehensive provision of media and information exchange is envisaged.

Testing ground for promising hydrogen (H2) energy systems
and energy storage systems

Technological directions of the 1st stage of works:

- Liquefied H2 - liquefaction, storage, transportation in recycling tanks and regasification of hydrogen;

- H2 in metal hydrides - storage and transportation of hydrogen in metal hydride storages;

- H2 in “green” ammonia - storage, local transportation and catalytic dehydrogenation of ammonia;

- Compressed H2 - hydrogen storage and transportation in high-pressure metal-composite tanks;

- H2-boilers - generation of thermal energy based on conventional and catalytic flameless combustion of hydrogen;

- Solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers with the possibility of electricity and heat cogeneration - SOFC/SOEC (solid oxide fuel cells and solid oxide electrolyzers);

- H2-transportation and filling station (car refueling station) - all-terrain cargo and passenger platform and search and rescue robotic UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) based on hydrogen fuel cells, as well as hydrogen refueling complexes;

- H2-cycle energy storage system - replacing part of diesel generation with hybrid localized H2-cycle energy storage systems combined with renewable energy sources;

- H2 in wearable devices - portable low-capacity hydrogen charging stations;

- H2 aerologic stations - systems for generating, storing and hydrogen refueling of meteorological probe shells.

Testing ground for promising wind turbines and photovoltaic panels
and photovoltaic panels

The polygon is designed for full-scale testing, refinement and demonstration of innovative solar and wind power solutions in Arctic conditions and is equipped with equipment to record the operation parameters of promising products and weather conditions to compare the equipment characteristics declared by the developer with the real ones.

Testing ground for advanced helicopter- and multicopter-type UAVs

The search, exploration and development of energy resources in the Arctic faces the need to create equipment and technologies suitable for year-round operation in conditions of low temperatures, snow, ice and permafrost. and technologies suitable for year-round operation in conditions of low temperatures, snow and ice cover, and permafrost. The equipment is also subject to additional requirements in terms of size, weight and power consumption.

The station will be used to test unmanned aerial vehicles of helicopter and multicopter type equipped with geophysical instruments, equipment and equipment for remote sensing of the Earth, aerial photography and video surveillance. and equipment for remote sensing of the Earth, aerial photography and video monitoring.

Station for hydrogen filling of aerologic probe shells

Twice a day all weather stations launch aerological probes (AP) to obtain data on the state of the atmosphere at altitudes up to 40 km, which is necessary for making meteorological forecasts, preventing weather disasters, planning activities in agriculture, aviation, etc.

AP is a shell filled with hydrogen.
In isolated and hard-to-reach areas, in difficult climatic conditions, hydrogen for filling the shells is produced at the weather station just before launch, and its obtaining is associated with heavy unsafe labor and pollution of the surrounding area.

At the station, hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis (0.5 m3/h capacity) and is pressurized and stored in a tank sufficient to fill 4 shells. to fill four shells.
The Station also includes a 5 l/h water treatment system, storage and supply of deionized water and a monitoring and control system.

Objective: to ensure uninterrupted and safe launch of aerological probes, to reduce the labor intensity and danger of the launch preparation process.

Development of hydrogen transportation implies creation and development of infrastructure, including hydrogen refueling stations (HRS).

The HRS at the Snezhinka IAS will include domestic metal-composite cylinders with an operating pressure of 700 atm and a total amount of stored hydrogen up to 200 kg.

The HRS is designed for refueling hydrogen rovers-swampers with a tank with a capacity of at least 25 kg at a pressure of 700 bar for no more than 2 hours.

Safe booster compressors will be used as compressors.

Study of the Earth's magnetic field

The “Snowflake” station is located in the auroral zone - an area of intense magnetic perturbations.
The observed rapid displacement of the northern magnetic pole leads
to a constant increase in the intensity of magnetic declination variations.

A significant number of directional wells are drilled in the region and magnetic field navigation is used to guide them.

Incorrect accounting of magnetic declination variations leads to formation opening errors and accidents.

The creation of an observatory and a center for monitoring and forecasting geomagnetic activity in the region on the basis of the “Snowflake” station will make it possible to create a system for promptly informing subsoil users about variations in magnetic declination, which is necessary to improve the accuracy of drilling navigation and reduce risks.

The geomagnetic observatory will be used to develop technical solutions for the Arctic in the field of magnetic measuring equipment and non-magnetic construction materials.

Fundamental tasks in the field of geomagnetism and forecasting changes in the Earth's magnetic field will be solved.

Seismic research and monitoring

The “Snowflake” station will be located near the zone of possible 6-point earthquakes. 6-point earthquakes.

- The presence of permafrost significantly increases the risks associated with seismicity with seismicity.
- Intensive development of hydrocarbons in the region may lead to a noticeable increase in seismic activity a marked increase in seismic activity.
- The sources of seismic signals may also be processes in the cryolithozone.
in the cryolithozone.

The station will deploy a seismic antenna based on broadband high-sensitivity molecular-electronic seismic sensors and distributed fiber-optic sensors created at MIPT.

Operation of the seismic antenna will allow:

- conduct observations of natural and anthropogenic seismicity over a large territory;

- to carry out operative informing of users and monitoring of seismic regime changes;

- promptly detect and conduct research of gas emission funnels.

Astronomical observations

Astronomical observations in the vicinity of the “Snowflake” station present significant opportunities.

The long polar night, absence of technogenic illumination and clean atmosphere make it possible to carry out regular observations of the Solar System objects, artificial Earth satellites and deep space objects.

A number of interesting autonomous objects that are practically inaccessible for observation at mid-latitudes because of their low position above the horizon appear in the Arctic in all their beauty and detail.

The practical value of astronomical observations in the Arctic also lies in tracking Earth satellites in polar orbit.

Study of permafrost and its changes

The Snezhinka station provides unique opportunities to study melted and permafrost rocks, their properties and processes under the influence of natural and anthropogenic processes and processes under the influence of natural and anthropogenic (near the station) factors.

Sites for long-term monitoring of the seasonally thawed layer and the state of the upper horizons of the cryolithozone in accordance with the programs and projects of the International Permafrost Association (IPA) will be deployed at the station and in its vicinity.

Geophysical studies of the state and physical properties of frozen and melted rocks will be carried out.

The sites will be equipped with modern optical fiber-based sensors developed at MIPT, providing high-precision long-term observations.

Carbon Farm

Reducing CO2 emissions from human activities is called decarbonization.

It can be achieved in two ways:

- by reducing emissions to the atmosphere;

- by increasing the uptake of CO2 through the sequestration of carbon through the activities of living organisms such as plants, algae and bacteria.

In tundra conditions, CO2 absorption can be increased by growing forests.

In accordance with international standards, a carbon farm is any surface area that has documentation of its CO2 uptake.

Carbon farm at the “Snowflake” station is a section of the forest area for which the volume of CO2 absorbed will be assessed.

Monitoring of climate active substances

Climate warming is accompanied by permafrost degradation processes and greenhouse gas emissions. According to a number of models, the release of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere also occurs due to tectonic processes on active faults.

Monitoring of these phenomena is a necessary component for understanding the causes, predicting climatic changes and dangerous geological processes in the cryolithozone, including the formation of gas release vents.

The station will deploy spectral equipment developed by MIPT with unique characteristics, which allows:

- monitor the composition and dynamics of the atmosphere;

- conduct aerological sounding;

- conduct precision monitoring, assessment of sources and sinks of greenhouse gases.

Atmospheric electricity

The “Snowflake” station will carry out:

- ground-based and balloon studies of the electrical state of the atmospheric boundary layer;

- instrumental observations of radon and thoron, which are emitted into the atmosphere from the Earth's crust and their turbulent transport in the atmospheric boundary layer.

The radioactive elements radon and thoron, along with cosmic rays and gamma quanta, serve as sources of ionization and, therefore, electrical conductivity of air.

Climate warming is accompanied by permafrost degradation processes and greenhouse gas emissions.

The station will carry out operational assessments of the electrical situation by means of an original physical and mathematical model.

The practical significance of the research is in the study of climate change and lightning hazard forecasting.

Development and testing of promising instrumentation for Arctic research
and exploration

Currently, it is necessary to replace imported geological and geophysical equipment, which accounts for 70-90% of all the equipment used by the industry.

The most important task is to organize a national system of certification and standardization of such equipment.

The unique position of the Snezhinka station and the availability of water areas make it possible to create a testing ground for testing and certification of domestic equipment and subsurface exploration technologies created within the framework of achieving technological sovereignty, taking into account their environmental safety for use in the Arctic.