Photo: BPW
Thermo King, the specialist for temperature-controlled transport, recently put three new refrigerated trailers equipped with the Advancer "AxlePower" energy recovery system from Bergische Achsen KG (BPW) into operation in the Netherlands. The trailers are operating for the country's largest supermarket chain.
“Through the knowledge exchange with BPW and the TIP Group, we can deliver a new technology that allows transport companies to convert the energy normally lost in a trailer during transport into clean electricity for refrigeration units,” says Laurent Debias, Product Management and EMEA Marketing Manager at Thermo King in Europe. “This helps fleets achieve practical sustainability goals, transport goods in an environmentally friendly way, and meet lower emission limits set by regulators.”
Photo: TIP
«“Emissions and noise are reduced, while ongoing operating costs drop immediately – a significant advantage, especially in times of high energy prices,” adds Thore Bakker, General Manager Trailer Solutions and Mobility Services at BPW. “This comes at just the right time, as the pressure on the industry has never been greater.”.
«The all-battery-powered solution is already available, and this trial with the energy axle configuration will last a maximum of twelve months. "The initial results are very promising," explains Rogier Laan, Vice President at TIP. "We firmly believe that temperature-controlled diesel trailers can be quickly replaced by fully electric trailers, and we want to promote and support this transition."
Fig.: BPW
Developed in collaboration with BPW, Advancer AxlePower is a fully integrated, tractor-independent system that combines BPW's ePower axle with Thermo King's refrigeration and energy management technologies. The trailers used by Albert Heijn are equipped with the Thermo King Advancer A-500 Whisper-Pro, PIEK-certified refrigeration units, and BPW ePower axles. AxlePower's intelligent energy recovery system provides the energy required to operate the trailer refrigeration unit by recovering energy generated by the trailer's axle during normal driving.
Thesystem stores the energy generated when the vehicle rolls or brakes in a high-voltage battery and uses it to power the refrigeration unit.
High potential: AxlePower
The battery pack, which is charged while the trailer is in motion, also autonomously powers the refrigeration unit when the trailer is stationary. The system features intelligent energy management that controls the switching on and off of the generators, minimizes resistance at the tractor unit, and displays the battery charge status in real time to the driver and fleet manager to prevent "charging anxiety".
With quiet operation and no CO2 emissions from the refrigeration unit when operating via the battery pack, long-distance transport and deliveries in city centers, including in ultra-low emission zones (ULEZs), are possible.
