High-Efficiency, Low-GWP Transport Refrigeration (HELGTRe)

This project is a collaboration between Sunswap and the Clean Energy Processes (CEP) Laboratory of Imperial College London to develop a high-efficiency transport refrigeration unit (TRU) using a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) working fluid.

The project, called "High-Efficiency, Low-GWP Transport Refrigeration" (HELGTRe), will focus on delivering an innovative refrigeration system that is optimised for a solar and battery electric system where even small efficiency improvements provide significant financial and environmental benefits.

The majority of TRUs rely on secondary diesel engines to provide power for cooling. They are responsible for large amounts of pollution due to the looser restrictions on secondary engines. However, pushed by tightening legislation and increasing corporate social responsibility, customers require a clean and economical alternative.

Developing a high-efficiency, low-GWP system offers multiple benefits for zero-emission vehicles. Firstly, the improvement in competitiveness amplifies the incentive for customers to switch from diesel to electric. Secondly, the increase in efficiency and reduction in on-board energy storage will lead to faster charging times or a reduction in required charger size.

Imperial College London will bring expertise to expedite the research activities, performing system design optimisation, system modelling, and technical performance assessment. The Imperial team has proven experience designing, modelling, and optimising advanced compressor-driven refrigeration systems and this combines well with Sunswap's background in the TRU market and product development.

Environmental benefits of this project will be significant, particularly as a reduction in GWP will mean that any refrigerant leaks have a much lower environmental impact. Additionally, economic benefits are widespread through job creation and safeguarding. Social benefits will result in better air quality in cities with many TRUs emitting large quantities of NOx and there is a huge potential to clean up the air by displacing diesel TRUs with Sunswap's proposal.