Hanover, Germany: Carrier Transicold has unveiled its first hydrogen fuel cell powered trailer fridge at the IAA Transport show in Hanover.
The hydrogen fuel cell, developed with Bosch and PowerCell Sweden, is coupled with a Carrier Transicold Vector HE 19 fridge. There is no standalone engine or separately mounted buffer battery system.
Victor Calvo, vice president and general manager, Carrier Transicold said: “The new hydrogen-powered Vector concept is a major step forward for the company and we’re delighted to demonstrate the future of transport refrigeration for customers at IAA.
The hydrogen fuel cell delivers the same level of autonomy as existing diesel engines used in the standard Vector units. By using a hydrogen fuel cell system, customers can maintain operations with the legacy products, but without any of the associated emissions, Carrier says.
The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen tanks with an electric power distribution unit used to convert the direct current provided by the fuel cell into the alternating current needed to operate the fridge. The refilling time is equivalent to a standard diesel engine and, depending on the tank size, it can also achieve a similar range.
“The combination of the Vector’s existing all-electric E-Drive technology – a mainstay of the company’s trailer systems since 1999 – and its innovative design removes the need for the mechanical transmissions found in belt-driven truck and trailer refrigeration systems, making it ideally suited to operate on the electric power derived from the hydrogen cell, while delivering increased efficiency and reduced risk of refrigerant leaks,” Carrier says.
