Just getting there can be unnerving when your plane descending through the clouds into a world of white suddenly can’t land. The weather system hadn’t changed as predicted.

Another landing for another day, and when that finally happens, another sort of journey awaits – because the world’s first zero emissions research station, soon operational, will be located 173 km inland on Dronning Maud land. Every nut and bolt, fuel and foodstuffs for up to 20 researchers and scientists has to be hauled on snowmobiles to the modular site that’ll be anchored in granite abutting a mountain.

Construction of the trailblazing module starts in November, but long before then, the International Polar Foundation running the project had to consider the practicalities of daily life in a treacherous setting that’s not near to anything.

Wind turbines assisted by solar panels will keep the hybrid-designed main building warm and cozy, catering to 12 permanent staff. They are carefully pre-screened in view of the taxing degree of physical and mental stress inherent in an Arctic environment. Even so, the 700 square meters of floor space make many conveniences possible – including a complete range of environmentally friendly appliances from Electrolux.

They include washing machines, dryers, dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and a double oven with induction hob. The washing machines allow for pre-heated water into the wash cycle which reduces electrical requirements. And they’ll be run steadily – clean clothing is imperative in the pristine Antarctic where the scientists will be studying the ice layer for clues to climate change.

But…How will they go about their lives, way out there on the granite ridge?

We don’t know yet. At this pre-launch stage we can only offer one known fact:  there’ll be ice cream in the Electrolux freezer.