The International Polar Foundation (IPF), Schneider Electric, and Venturi would like to cordially invite you to the official EU Green Week 2022 partner hybrid event, Striving to Reduce the Environmental Footprint of Polar Research.
The event will take place on Monday May 30th, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Atelier 29, Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29, 1000 Brussels. It will also be streamed interactively online for those unable to take part in-person.
From 2007-09, the International Polar Foundation, with the support of its many private sector partners and the Belgian State, designed and constructed the world’s first zero-emission polar research station - the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica (PEA).
Fully operational since 2009, the primary goal of constructing the groundbreaking station was to serve as a zero-emission platform for scientists working in the Dronning Maud Land region of East Antarctica.
Now that the revolutionary Princess Elisabeth Antarctica research station has been in operation for more than a decade, IPF would like to showcase the latest innovations at the revolutionary research platform that reduce even further the environmental footprint of doing scientific research in Antarctica. Improvements and initiatives that will be explained during the event include:
- Industry-leading upgrades to the station’s renewable energy production and management;
- A brand new water treatment system with higher capacity - a system that goes above and beyond the requirements of the Madrid Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty;
- The entry into use of the Venturi Antarctica, the first electric polar exploration vehicle, which is now used to support of polar research at PEA.
While walk-ins are welcome, we would prefer it if you could please register if you plan to attend so we can adequately prepare event logistics.
Online participation is also possible. A link to participate online will be sent to those who have registered to attend online.
Programme:
10:00 am - 11:00 am - PRESS CONFERENCE featuring:
- Alain Hubert (Founder and Chairman, International Polar Foundation)
- David Orgaz (President, Benelux Region, Schneider Electric)
- Franck Baldet (CTO, Venturi)
- Sarah Wauthy (Glaciology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles)
- Preben Van Overmeiren (Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University)
- Kate Winter (Senior Lecturer in Extreme Environments, Northumbria University)
10:45 - Q&A
11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Individual workshops on renewable technologies used at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica
IPF engineers who have been working on the latest improvements to the PEA Station and representatives from Schneider Electric and Venturi Group will give in-depth workshops illustrating how the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica’s systems and the Venturi Antarctica function. They will answer any in-depth questions the press, policymakers, and the general public may have about the groundbreaking station, its technical aspects, and the Venturi Antarctica electric vehicle.
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Walking lunch
Important notice: At the moment this invitation was sent, the start time of the event mentioned on the Green Week partner events website is INCORRECT. The event will begin at 10:00 am, not 8:30 am.
Please refer to the IPF website and social media channels for the latest information.
You are welcome to contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at +32 2 520 34 40 if you have any questions about the event.
Antarctic photos for sale
For those interested in beautiful photos of Antarctic landscapes and animals, IPF will also have several magnificent photos on display at the event. Personalised prints can be ordered. Proceeds will go towards supporting the work of the International Polar Foundation. More information can be obtained at the event or by contacting us.
