 The facility attempts to minimize its environmental impact through several mechanisms , including minimizing area usage . Energy consumption is reduced by using recirculating excess heat to melt snow and ice for drinking water and heating . Waste is minimized through purchase planning and recycling ; the remaining waste is compressed and transported away from the Antarctic . Fuel is handled in such a way that even small spills are minimized . In 2016 a solar PV plant with 7 @.@ 3 kilowatt peak has been installed on one of the roof tops . It serves as a pilot installation for the declared middle term target of reducing the oil consumption of the research station significantly , by extending the solar PV plant over the next few years . 
