Less food waste with solar powered cooling appliances

By Per Henrik Pedersen , Teknologisk Institut

Vestfrost Solutions in Esbjerg, Denmark, in collaboration with Danish Technological Institute is developing new solar-powered cooling appliances for the preservation of food in areas of the world where there is no grid supply of electricity - or a very unstable grid supply.

According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), there is a huge waste of food, and this contributes to approximately 8 % of global CO2 emissions. In developing countries, the food waste is especially associated with the production of food, and it is primarily due to a lack of cooling for the storage of food that has been harvested, slaughtered, or caught at sea.

The missing link

The project 'The missing link of the food cold chain: Solar direct drive cooling appliances' is intended to help solve this challenge, ensuring cooling capacity for areas where there is no power supply.

Danfoss Commercial Compressors S.A. (now Secop ) has developed a compressor that can run directly on the power that comes from solar cells. This compressor has a 'soft start' so that it can start directly on the power delivered by the solar panels. This makes it possible to avoid the use of batteries for energy storage and for starting the compressor. Batteries often cause problems and should, therefore, preferably be avoided.

Based on previous success

Vestfrost Solutions has previously along with Danish Technological Institute developed solar-powered vaccine coolers for areas without a power supply. The idea is that the coolers contain an ice storage, which keeps the vaccine cold at night and at times when there is no sun.

Vestfrost Solutions introduced this product to the global market in 2010, and it has been a great success. After Vestfrost Solutions received WHO's approval, other manufacturers also came along, and these SDD 'Solar Direct Drive Refrigerators' have now replaced gas-powered absorption refrigerators and battery-powered vaccine coolers.

Development of larger cooling capacity for cooling of food

In later projects, the technology has been improved, and in this new project, the idea is to expand the focus area to the food industry. Here, compressors with significantly larger cooling capacity (compared to vaccine coolers) are needed. The current challenge is that there are no larger compressors that can start directly on power from solar panels – without these being very large.

We have achieved great success with our solar-powered vaccine coolers, and today, we have a global market share of 30-35 % for this type of WHO/PQS certified medical equipment. We are convinced that the time has now come to expand this technology to the food sector. This is shown by inquiries we have received through our sales network on the African continent.

Claus Cording, Innovation Manager, Vestfrost Solutions.

In the new project, a technology must, therefore, be developed that ensures that larger commercial cooling compressors can be powered by direct solar power. The electronics company LS Controls is responsible for this in the project. DTU Construct will contribute to the development of control strategies for the cooling system.

Right now, the status is that Vestfrost Solutions has produced the first prototypes of a cooler and a freezer, and these have been tested by Vestfrost Solutions and Danish Technological Institute. The second generation is on the drawing board. LS Contracts is developing new electronics for the project.

Huge need for solar-powered cooling appliances

According to Per Henrik Pedersen, Danish Technological Institute, the project hits a sweet spot.

There is a huge need for solar-powered appliances for the preservation of food in areas without stable power supply. So far, the challenge has been that many of the potential users cannot afford to buy the product. We now believe that the time is right to launch these new coolers on the global market, and the first customers will be those who can make money from cooling/freezing food and beverages.

Per Henrik Pedersen, Danish Technological Insitute.

Arla Foods participates in the project and will later have five coolers delivered for installation for sale of dairy products in the Philippines. They will be field tested for a year.

WWF Verdensnaturfonden / WWF Denmark participates in the project and will have five units delivered for the storage of frozen fish on the coast in Kenya. The new cooling products use natural refrigerants.

The project is funded by EUDP - Det Energiteknologiske Udviklings- og Demonstrationsprogram (The Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme in Denmark).

Contact:

Ivan Katic , Danish Technological Institute, is taking over the role of project manager for the remainder of the project - e-mail: [email protected] / phone: +45 72 20 24 82

Read more about the project which runs until ultimo 2025: www.dti.dk/44240