Fig.: Eraneos

Artificial intelligence could significantly help reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption in temperature-controlled logistics. This was revealed at the general meeting of the Swiss Association for Temperature-Controlled Logistics (SVTL) at the Conference Center on Lake Sempach.

In times of climate change, but also with increasing demands for punctuality, reliability, and predictability of supply chains, the requirements for processes and technologies that must be adhered to to maintain specific temperatures or temperature ranges during the transport and storage of goods are increasing. This clearly presents a broad field for the introduction of adaptive systems that, in the complex interplay between energy costs, physical capabilities, and system availability, calculate hundreds of models for the energy-saving control of cooling systems, condensers, valves, and evaporators in minutes, without disrupting actual operation.

Says Holm Riedel, for example, a consultant and service provider for a company called “Energeering,” which deals with electricity procurement, load management, and digital opportunities for large-scale consumers and has so far “ blessed ” .

As part of its annual general meeting at Lake Sempach, the Swiss SVTL (Swiss Logistics Association) devoted itself to accompanying expert presentations on AI in logistics and frozen food logistics, as well as questions of energy supply and sustainability. The association used the opportunity in 2023 to partly reposition itself and, with regard to considering other areas in the environment, to continue to consider it, according to President Marco Manzetti. A survey following the change from Georg Burkhardt to Christian Pauli in the management team showed that the association was "on the right track."

M.Manzetti, Chr. Pauli

In 2023, the SVTL took a relevant approach with an online event on energy conservation, an on-site event at Transgourmet in Kriens on warehouse automation, a guided tour at the AGM at the Umweltarena in Spreitenbach, and an evening on occupational safety and accident risks. Manzetti: "Initiatives to reduce energy consumption and use environmentally friendly technologies are gaining importance, and advances in digitalization and automation are helping to increase efficiency and secure real-time data for faster decision-making."

However, with the globalization of markets, the requirements for temperature-controlled networks are also becoming more complex and extensive. Switzerland is easily keeping pace in this regard. The SVTL, endowed with a nearly six-figure budget, is actively involved in supporting and shaping technical innovations. Manzetti: "We are not a feel-good association; we want to move forward."

Case study "Swissdrink." Graphic: AWK/Eraneos

As part of the supporting program, Raphael Pfarrer, who works under the consulting umbrella of Eraneos (AWK), navigates the jungle of terms ranging from machine learning and deep learning to autonomous artificial intelligence, is seeking to transform digitalization and AI into logistics. He says he sees "extremely great potential" here.

Take "Swissdrink," for example: They once had to manage 75 manufacturers and 110 wholesalers with 12,364 items. Through manual paperwork, they were able to correctly allocate 75 percent of the inventory. With AI, they managed to achieve 95 percent accuracy in this extremely dynamic area, characterized by constant inventory turnover.

Examples already implemented at Emmi, the Swiss Post, route optimization, customs (where, unfortunately, racial profiling also occurred), and in the commercial departments of several companies have shown that a lot is already underway here.

The quality of existing data sets is of great importance. "Pay attention to this," says the IT expert. Otherwise, the results quickly suffer from the "shit in, shit out" problem: The output cannot be better than the accuracy of the collected data allows.

"Energeering" CEO Holm Riedel compared two refrigeration plants, each with approximately 400,000 m³ and 100,000 cooling spaces, 89% and 91% utilization, and nearly identical electricity prices (around 24 cents/kWh). With sophisticated electricity management, one company achieved energy costs of 4.2 million kWh and €1.02 million. The other, which is currently undergoing optimization, achieved energy costs of 7.1 million kWh and €1.72 million. Cost savings through comprehensive energy management using approximately 500 data points on compressors, adjusting working pressures, readjustments to evaporators, valves, and condensers, as well as the targeted use of off-peak times (=high proportion of renewable electricity, especially at midday): €691,748.

Comparison of two systems. Graphic: Riedel

Electricity suppliers, who must receive load forecasts in 15-minute increments no later than the day before, "also appreciate this!" says Holm. This is because they can take the previously reported demand into account when procuring electricity, and switch power plants and/or additional facilities on or off. "Energeering" earns money from this.

Mauto Renggli acts as an electricity "broker." He points out that, even during periods of energy shortages perceived by the public as "shortages," utilities like Bernische Kraftwerke (BKW) were able to generate profits of CHF 1 billion, and still CHF 600 million the following year, through clever maneuvering on the electricity market. However, the electricity supply is becoming increasingly unpredictable due to countless feed-ins from wind and solar power plants, making the work of "power procurers" like BKW all the more important. Renggli's "Renergy" platform offers large consumers such as cold storage facilities the opportunity for sophisticated responses through joint "online" electricity purchases on the "spot market." However, the specialist says that this doesn't necessarily require "AI."

www.svtl.ch