An expedition powered by renewable energy

600-mile trek

Highlighting the need for more and cleaner energy solutions, the South Pole Energy Challenge team walked to the South Pole using only renewable energy sources, including advanced biofuels provided by Shell.

Explorer Robert Swan has experienced some of the harshest environments on the planet, becoming the first man in history to walk to both poles in the 1980s. Having shown incredible mental and physical fitness, as the expedition reached the halfway point, Robert made the tough decision to return to Base Camp to allow the team to increase their pace.

The remaining members of the team, consisting of Robert’s 23-year-old son Barney, expedition guide Martin Barnett and documentary filmmaker Kyle O’Donoghue, arrived at the South Pole ahead of schedule having completed this epic 600-mile trek.

The role of advanced biofuels

The advanced biofuels that the South Pole Energy Challenge team used were developed for this trip using a technology called IH2* that turns solid waste into biofuels, produced at Shell Technology Centre Bangalore, India. They were critical in keeping the team warm, dry and fed in one of the harshest environments on earth.

Through this unique expedition, Shell and the team aim to highlight to younger generations that there is no silver bullet to the challenge of climate change. It is up to all players in society - including governments, industry, entrepreneurs and corporations like Shell to come together to develop an innovative mix of cleaner energy solutions.

Along with other renewable energy sources, Shell believes that advanced biofuels will play an important role in creating lower-carbon energy systems in the future.

_{*IH² is a trademark of Gas Technology Institute}