The British technology company has launched Endurance, an electric transport refrigeration system with integrated battery and solar energy. It is built to compete with diesel-powered systems.
Great Britain established Solar change has launched Endurance, an electric transport refrigeration system with integrated battery and solar energy. It is built to fit a variety of transport trailers and compete with diesel-powered systems.
Endurance is a purpose-built solar and battery-powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU), developed in-house by Sunswap, that enables frozen, refrigerated and multi-temperature configurations. It is described as a shift away from traditional diesel technology for cold storage transportation. According to Sunwap, it was developed in collaboration with customers, maintenance technicians and suppliers.
Lightweight solar panels with highly efficient monocrystalline silicon cells are integrated into the roof of the trailer to recharge the batteries. There are four sizes of lithium iron phosphate batteries. The lightest is 20-25% lighter than the lightest diesel equivalent, while the heaviest configuration is 1.2% heavier than the diesel equivalent.
To date, 25 tests have been carried out exposing the system to a variety of conditions, such as long-distance frozen deliveries and frequent door openings, by companies including Danish transport company DFDS, British Tesco and Freshlinc Spalding, as well as Dutch logistics company Müller Vers Voeding Logistics.
A trial with DFDS resulted in 22 hours of frozen cooling on one charge over two days, according to Sunswap, while Müller reportedly ran 100% on solar energy during the trial period.
Lower emissions and lower operating costs during the trial periods have led to commercial orders from several participants, including DFDS and UK-based Samworth Brothers.
Looking ahead, the company is expanding beyond the British market into the Benelux. According to Sunswap, there is a lot of interest in sustainable transport solutions in countries such as the Netherlands. Earlier this year it announced a 12-month trial with Netherlands-based TIP Group.
Founded in 2020, Sunswap is based in London.
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