eNow Shows Off Solar-Powered Zero-Emissions Rayfrigeration (Transport Refrigeration Unit)
The solar energy tech firm eNow recently unveiled its new solar-powered, zero-emissions, commercial-use Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU), dubbed “Rayfrigeration.” The product is meant to be used by trucks making deliveries within urban areas.
Over the 5 month test period performed by eNow, the Rayfrigeration solution achieved an N2O emissions reduction of 98%, a particulate matter emissions reduction of 97%, and a CO2 emissions reduction of 86%, as compared to conventional diesel-powered TRUs.
Altogether, the eNow research team calculated that average weekly carbon dioxide emissions were reduced from 2,525 pounds a week (using a conventional diesel TRU) to just 159 pounds a week (using the Rayfrigeration unit). Weekly N2O emissions were likewise reduced from 7162 grams to 1 gram. These figures are reportedly derived following adjustments “for the emissions from the power plant supplying grid electricity overnight (missions from solar are 0).”
Green Car Congress provides more: “The Rayfrigeration system features eNow solar in combination with a Johnson Truck Bodies refrigeration unit and Emerson’s efficient compressor technology. The unit’s cold plates and batteries are initially charged from utility power overnight, but while on a delivery route, power is provided by eNow’s solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on the truck’s roof.”
“Throughout the testing cycle, the 1,800 Watt eNow solar system provided more than enough energy to maintain optimum temperature throughout a typical day of continually opening and closing the doors while delivering fresh dairy products in California’s summer heat,” eNow itself states.
Altogether, the Rayfrigeration units are expected to reduce operating costs by up to 90% — thanks to the lack of fuel costs and much lower maintenance costs (no moving parts).
It’s nice to see some companies going after the remaining “low hanging fruit” of solar photovoltaic (PV) tech deployment. Solutions such as the Rayfrigeration unit can be used to reduce emissions, operating costs for businesses, and carbon footprints in a relatively cheaply way — simultaneously.
Below is eNow’s full press release on the new product and initial research about how it performs.
eNow Powers “Rayfrigeration” Zero Emissions Truck Refrigeration Unit
eNow has demonstrated the effectiveness of its solar energy-producing systems for transportation by powering the first zero-emissions commercial-use Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) on a truck making deliveries in an urban environment.
The new zero-emissions TRU, branded “Rayfrigeration,” has been undergoing real-world testing in California’s San Joaquin Valley. In the first five months of testing, emission reductions of 98% nitrous oxide, 86% carbon dioxide, and 97% particulate matter were achieved. TRUs are refrigeration units mounted on trucks and are traditionally powered by high-polluting, small diesel engines to provide the needed cooling to transport chilled products. The Rayfrigeration TRU is the first-to-market battery powered unit for commercial use and was tested on a Challenge Dairy Class 7 truck delivering fresh dairy products throughout Fresno, CA.
Designed to support medium-temperature refrigeration applications, the Rayfrigeration system employs two forms of energy storage: eutectic medium (cold plates) and a high-capacity auxiliary battery system. The cold plates and auxiliary batteries are initially charged from utility power delivered to the vehicle when plugged in overnight. When the truck is operated on a delivery route, power is provided by eNow’s solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on the truck’s roof. eNow joined Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies, Emerson, and Challenge Dairy Products, Inc. in the summer-long trial in California’s San Joaquin Valley.
The eNow team calculated that average emissions of CO2 over a four-day week with an average delivery day of 7.7 hours was reduced from 2,525 lbs/week to 159 lbs. Nitrous Oxide emissions were reduced from 7162 grams to 1. This is after adjusting for the emissions from the power plant supplying grid electricity that was used overnight. (Emissions from solar are 0.)
In addition to eliminating harmful emissions, the Rayfrigeration unit is projected to reduce operations and maintenance costs by up to 90% over a diesel-powered TRU. The cost savings are achieved through the elimination of fuel costs, eliminating maintenance costs for the diesel APU engine, and an increase in battery life (reducing replacement costs) thanks to consistent charge maintenance by eNow solar.
Throughout the testing cycle, the 1,800 Watt eNow solar system provided more than enough energy to maintain optimum temperature throughout a typical day of continually opening and closing the doors while delivering fresh dairy products in California’s summer heat.
“The Rayfrigeration product is an important step forward in reducing emissions while maintaining the highest levels of efficiency and customer satisfaction for companies delivering perishable goods,” says Jeff Flath, President & CEO of eNow. “eNow’s solar technology is powerful, reliable, and efficient, and more than up to the task of providing emissions-free energy for critical tasks such refrigeration of fresh foods, even the most challenging conditions. We are proud to be a part of this important project.”
The Rayfrigeration solar-charging technology is available through eNow, which currently has more than 4,000 solar systems operating nationwide on Class 8 trucks, buses, emergency and utility vehicles, supporting applications as diverse as heating and cooling, liftgates, wheelchair lifts, safety lights, telematics, and other transportation applications. Upon completion of the testing period, Challenge Dairy plans to transition its entire fleet of distribution trucks to solar-powered TRUs.
An event held October 11, 2017 — officially declared “Rayfrigeration Day” in the City of Fresno, California – eNow joined Johnson Truck Bodies, Emerson, Challenge Dairy, and government agencies to celebrate the ongoing successful demonstration of California’s first zero-emissions TRU. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and EPA District 9 funded part of the Rayfrigeration initiative through the Technology Advancement Program that encourages innovation through the development of new emission reduction technologies.
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