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Electric Power for Refrigerated Trailers

Project Objective: assess the effectiveness of reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by plugging in trucks with electric refrigeration (reefers) rather than using diesel generators to produce electricity while parked in the distribution centre yard.

Organization: Transport Transbo Inc. (Transbo)

Project Timeline: July 5, 2009 to October 31, 2010

Project Results: 22 electric outlets were installed to supply electricity to refrigerated trailers while parked. The project led to significant fuel consumption savings and GHG emission reductions.

    Performance Results

	Standby Hours	Fuel Saved During Standby Hours	GHG Emission Reduction
10 Month Results	36,077	137,093 L	369 tonnes
Annual Average	43,292	164,511 L	443 tonnes

Project Description

With funding from Transport Canada’s Freight Technology Incentive Fund, Transbo added 22 plug-in units to provide electricity to refrigerated trailers while at the distribution centre. This funding also provided recharging facilities at their site in Boucherville for this project.

    Financial Results

	Diesel Cost Savings	Electricity Cost	Net Savings	Investment	Payback
10 Month Results	$ 105,959	$ 26,960	$ 79,269	$ 120,804	1.3 years
Annual Average	$ 127,152	$ 32,028	$ 95,124

Methodology

Transbo collected refrigeration fuel and power usage data from their trucks. 22 electric plug-in units were installed and their usage tracked from January 2010 to October 2010. Transbo calculated the variance between data from the diesel powered refrigeration units and from the electric-powered refrigeration units.

Detailed Project Results

Performance Results

Installation of electric refrigeration units allowed drivers to avoid using diesel fuel to refrigerate their goods while parked at the distribution centre. This decreased demand for fuel provided a savings of $2.20 per hour after factoring in the cost of electricity. Monthly costs were reduced from $10,596 for diesel to $2,669, an annual savings of $95,123.

    Refrigeration costs

	Use per Hour	Hourly Fuel Cost*	Average Use per Month	Monthly Cost*	Average GHG per Month**
Diesel	3.8 L	$2.94	13,709 L	$10,596	36,878 kg
Electric	12.7 kW	$0.74	3608 kWh	$2,669	1,551 kg

* at a price of $0.77/L for diesel and $0.06/kWh for electricity
** at 2.69 kg GHG/L fuel and 0.43 kg GHG/kWh

Financial Results

Based on an average fuel price of $0.77/L and electricity price of $0.06/kWh, the estimated annual fuel savings was $95,123. The payback period was determined to be 1.3 years.

Conclusion

Transbo demonstrated the effectiveness of electrical plug-in refrigeration units in conjunction with driver education. Based on the cost of unit purchase, installation and maintenance, the fuel savings result in a payback period of 16 months.

Lessons Learned

Transbo learned that:

• a period of driver education is necessary before implementing the project; and
• driver compliance drops off if follow-up is not rigorous.

Challenges

Transbo noted specific challenges:

• installation of the recharging terminals; and
• driver compliance with new procedures.

Recommendations

Transbo recommended that the following precede implementation of this project by other organizations:

• a priod of driver education; and
• a good estimate of all costs related to the project.

Date modified:

2012-02-16

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