Electric refrigeration system passes Spanish test
16th October 2024
BELGIUM: Spanish logistics group Carreras is reported to have successfully completed trials of a new refrigerated semi-trailer with Thermo King’s self-charging electric refrigeration system.
The Thermo King system is said to have operated 100% in electric mode while covering 55,000km since January. To reduce the tractor’s and trailer’s emissions footprint even more, Carreras operates on biofuel, which lowers the total emissions by 90% according to the company. The trailer currently continues to operate in Carreras’ fleet across Europe.
The system combines the Thermo King Advancer hybrid refrigeration unit, AxlePower dynamic energy recovery system and ENERG-e battery pack.
Thermo King’s AxlePower technology dynamically recovers energy while rolling and braking and stores it in the battery pack, which in turn powers the trailer refrigeration unit.
Together with Thermo King’s proprietary smart power management, the system dynamically monitors road conditions and driving operations to maximise kinetic and thermal energy recovered by the trailer’s e-axle.
The smart power management automatically switches between recuperation mode (energy recovery), passive mode (sufficient battery charge) and active mode (additional charging current when required) to ensure optimum charging efficiency and without driver intervention. Fleet managers can see real-time battery charge and performance.
The control system will also disengage the e-axle when the trailer is on an uphill, avoiding energy penalties and reducing fuel consumption.
Carreras Grupo Logístico was founded in 1933 and is now one of the leading logistics companies in Spain.
“This project and collaboration with Thermo King and its dealer Frigicoll mark a significant stride for Carreras in embracing sustainable logistics. Through the integration of the new technology, we managed to deliver tangible, efficient, and direct enhancements to our operations,” said Héctor Benito Serón, director of projects, consulting, sustainability and innovation at Carreras.
