The issue of power generation in the Arctic is one of the most pressing and challenging to address. The broad scope of fuel delivery, logistical issues and complex equipment maintenance make operating a diesel power plant beyond the Arctic Circle an intriguing adventure that demands both a deep understanding of technology and the skill to harness limited resources. While stationary settlements manage this task to some extent, it becomes even more complex for nomads in the tundra. To function in today's society, they require power generating capabilities — satellite phones, radio transmitters, laptops and other equipment are not only essential for improving the comfort of reindeer herders but also for the operation of farms, emergency services and regulatory bodies.

Many nomads today rely on diesel generators, which have several significant drawbacks, the foremost being their weight. Transporting even the most modern, compact and relatively lightweight devices requires additional sledges, as fuel also needs to be carried along with the generator. The limited supply often necessitates long 'expeditions' to the nearest settlements or a complete renunciation of modern conveniences. For indigenous communities maintaining traditional economies, this technology is quite expensive, although it's better than having no electricity at all. Unlike in some countries of the Great Steppe, green technologies have yet to gain traction in the Arctic. In Polar conditions, solar panels have proven to be ineffective due to half a year of polar night and unpredictable weather during the sunny season. In the Polar regions, frequent fogs often give way to dense cloud cover, reducing the efficiency of solar panels to zero. In Mongolia, for instance, where nearly a third of the population leads a nomadic lifestyle, there are on average 260 sunny days a year. In such conditions, this technology is indeed justified.

However, there might be a way to significantly improve the lives of Russia's Arctic indigenous peoples — scientists from the North-Eastern Federal University have unveiled a new electric generator for tundra nomads living in traditional dwellings. The generator operates using Peltier elements that generate electric current due to temperature differences. One part of the device is placed outside, while the other is positioned near the hearth. In the chum and yarang, the hearth is represented by a fire, or less commonly, a wood-burning stove. 

By mid-January 2024, researchers had developed a prototype of the device and secured a patent for the invention. They have an extensive agenda for the upcoming year, as they now need to manufacture experimental models and carry out tests in the Chukchi tundra. The scientists state that cutting-edge 3D printing at the engineering centre will lay the foundation for a fresher, more advanced design and enhanced device generation capabilities. Following the trials, the researchers intend to initiate the manufacturing of mini power stations and commence delivery to traditional Arctic households.  

The technology, which relies on Peltier elements, can be deemed green as it operates from hearth heat and doesn't contribute additional emissions to the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the scientists from the North-Eastern Federal University have no intention of resting on their laurels. Their next plan is to develop portable windmills for reindeer herding crews.