U.K.-based Sunswap has launched Endurance, an electric transport refrigeration system with integrated battery and solar PV. It is built to fit with 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, which allows for frozen, chilled and multi-temperature configurations. It is described as a shift away from legacy diesel technology for cold storage transport. It was co-developed with customers, maintenance technicians, and suppliers, according to Sunwap.
Lightweight solar panels with high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon cells are integrated into the trailer roof to provide supplementary charging to the batteries. There are four lithium iron phosphate battery sizes. The lightest is 20-25% lighter than the lightest diesel equivalent, whereas the heaviest configuration is 1.2% heavier than the diesel equivalent.
To date 25 trials exposing the system to a variety of conditions, such as long-haul frozen deliveries and frequent door openings, have been undertaken by the likes of Danish freight company DFDS, U.K.-based Tesco and Freshlinc Spalding, as well Dutch logistics company Müller Fresh Food Logistics.
A trial with DFDS resulted in 22 hours of frozen cooling on a single charge over two days, according to Sunswap, while Müller reportedly achieved 100% solar-powered operation throughout the trial period.
Reduced emissions and reduced operational 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 UK market into Benelux. In countries like the Netherlands, there is strong interest in sustainable transport solutions, according to Sunswap. 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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Once they’ve installed wiring & transformers to run solar panels, surprised only about 60% of the roof area has been used
Meanwhile, buses can’t do this because they have to code painted on the roof.
I’m the UK they won’t even leave the depot if they want to run their fridges off these panels , also most of the transportation is happening overnight … Well done …
Combining hybrid panels with a hybrid air conditioner, will provide the perfect solution and a fundamental change in the field of refrigerated transportation