Solar-Powered Refrigeration Slashes Costs and Emissions
Key Points
Sunswap Endurance trial with Moran Logistics proves cost and emissions reduction.
Ran entirely on solar power, shows the systems efficiency and cost savings.
Big reduction in CO2 and NOx emissions, supports Moran’s Net Zero by 2030 target.
Sunswap, the maker of the fully electric transport refrigeration unit Endurance, has completed a 10-day trial of its battery and solar-powered technology with Moran Logistics, a multi-temperature logistics leader.
The trial was on Moran’s Arla Foods routes. The Sunswap Endurance unit kept the chilled goods at 2°C.
Solar Power in Moran Logistics’ Chilled Deliveries
One of the highlights of the trial was the solar power. Data shows that the Endurance unit ran entirely on solar energy during the entire trial.
The solar panels on the trailer roof are a key part of the Sunswap system, reducing the need for grid charging and giving more range flexibility and cost savings by not needing extra battery modules.
To test the system fully, the Moran team used both solar power and grid charging. This allowed them to see how easily the system could fit into their current operations.
Following on from previous trials with Muller and GIST, where the system ran solely on solar power for 2 weeks, this trial proves Sunswap’s technology works and is reliable in all logistics environments.
Moran Logistics is targeting Net Zero by 2030 and found the Endurance unit fitted seamlessly into their current operations.
Operational and Emissions Savings
The trial showed big savings. The Sunswap Endurance unit has a 79% reduction in OPEX and a 27% reduction in TCO compared to diesel units.
In addition to the financial savings, the environmental impact is huge. If Moran were to fit 260 trailers with Sunswap Endurance units they could eliminate 26,979 tonnes of CO2 and 261 tonnes of NOx. This supports Moran’s sustainability goals and shows what Sunswap’s technology can do for the logistics industry.
Nick Mackay, Transport Operations Director, Moran Logistics:
“At Moran, we’re committed to embracing sustainability and reaching our Net Zero target by 2030. Initially, we approached this trial carefully as with any new technology. However, the Sunswap Endurance unit quickly proved itself, performing exactly as we needed – just like any other fridge in our fleet, but with zero emissions. This trial has shown us that we don’t need to compromise on performance to achieve our sustainability goals.”
Alastair Gough, Head of Business Development at Sunswap:
“Our trial with Moran Logistics further validates the effectiveness of our battery and solar-powered refrigeration technology. The Endurance unit could have run entirely on solar demonstrating that sustainable solutions can seamlessly integrate into existing logistics operations. This follows our previous successful trials with Muller and GIST that ran without the need for charging, reinforcing that solar power is a game-changer in refrigerated transport.”
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Source: Sunswap
