Seasonal Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid PV-Wind-Battery Power System for a Mars Base

TL;DR

This study evaluates the viability of a hybrid PV-wind-BESS power system to sustain a six-person Mars habitat under seasonal, diurnal, and dust-storm conditions using the Mars Climate Database. It compares PV-wind, PV-BESS, and PV-wind-BESS configurations across the entire Martian surface and candidate FLSW sites, employing a $1{,}000\ \mathrm{m^2}$ PV module, a $33.4\ \mathrm{m}$ diameter turbine, and a $312\ \mathrm{kWh}$ battery. Results show that a single PV+WT+BESS can power a base over $32.1\%$ of the surface, rising to $51.7\%$ with three such sets, and that 24 FLSW sites can be sustained even during global dust storms; Hebrus Valles, Huygens Crater, and Noctis Labyrinthus emerge as top energy-potential sites. These findings provide a foundation for modular renewable power designs to support sustained human presence on Mars.

Abstract

This work investigates a hybrid photovoltaic-wind-battery power system designed to sustain a Mars base under varying seasonal and climatic conditions. The Mars Climate Database was utilized to simulate the effects of seasonal changes, diurnal cycles, and dust storms on the system's power generation. The seasonal performance was analyzed across the Martian surface and at potential habitation sites proposed in the "First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars (FLSW).'' Within the hybrid system, the photovoltaic arrays serve as the primary energy source, with wind turbines providing essential backup during nighttime and dust storms. A single $1\,000\,\mathrm{m}^2$ photovoltaic array, a $33.4\,\mathrm{m}$ diameter wind turbine, and a $312\,\mathrm{kWh}$ battery can support a six-person Mars base at $32.1\%$ of the Martian surface during the equinoxes and solstices, expanding to $51.7\%$ with three sets of arrays and turbines. Additionally, $24$ FLSW sites can be supported throughout the solstices and equinoxes by a single photovoltaic array, turbine, and battery, even during global dust storms. Among the $24$ sites, Hebrus Valles, Huygens Crater, and Noctis Labyrinthus had the highest energy production potential. These findings are expected to guide further research on hybrid renewable power systems for Mars exploration.

Figures (6)

• Figure 1: Upper panel: efficiency factor ($C_p$) versus wind speed on Mars for the Enercon E33 (for $\rho=0.017\,\mathrm{kg/m}^3$). Lower panel: Global wind speed distribution percentage on Mars for all seasons including global dust storms. The dashed lines represent the cut-in and cut-out speeds.
• Figure 2: Daily average Solar Power Density (first column) and Wind Power Density (second column) in $\mathrm{W/m}^2$ per season. Note that GS represents a global dust storm period.
• Figure 3: The number of PV arrays and wind turbines required to power the PV-wind system for an entire day during: a) vernal equinox, b) summer solstice, c) autumnal equinox, d) winter solstice, e) autumnal equinox during a global dust storm, and f) winter solstice during a global dust storm.
• Figure 4: The number of PV arrays required to power the PV-BESS system for an entire day during a) vernal equinox, b) summer solstice, c) autumnal equinox, d) winter solstice, e) autumnal equinox during a global dust storm, and f) winter solstice during a global dust storm.
• Figure 5: The number of PV arrays and wind turbines required to power the PV-wind-BESS system for an entire day during: a) vernal equinox, b) summer solstice, c) autumnal equinox, d) winter solstice, e) autumnal equinox during a global dust storm, and f) winter solstice during a global dust storm.