Breda, Netherlands: Fully integrated automation in cold stores is an opportunity to trim operating costs, according to NewCold.
“Around the world, cold storage facilities face challenges of rising operating costs, rigorous product and safety standards, and evolving environmental regulations.
Because cold storage requires a significant energy input, energy efficiency offers an expanding opportunity to trim operating costs,” says the company.
Some of these measures include:
- Stacker cranes in the cold stores run in darkness with only LED lighting for maintenance purposes
- Material handling systems that move the pallets only run when necessary, ensuring minimal door openings for pallets entering and leaving the cold store
- Collecting data continually about power consumption, indoor and outdoor temperatures, and other factors – such as open doors – using IoT equipment.
“The result is a responsible use of energy which is 50% less per pallet position compared with traditional cold storage facilities — creating chains of value,” says NewCold.
