MHI Thermal Systems wins Japanese award for hybrid refrigeration units

Plug-in reefers designed to maintain cargo temperature during parking, stop-start idling while also reducing CO2 emissions

Commercial Vehicle Staff

Feb. 7, 2020

2 min read

MHI Thermal Systems recently received a prestigious Japanese award for its plug-in hybrid transport refrigeration units, which were celebrated for the achievements in maintaining cargo-room temperature during vehicle parking and stop-start idling, and reducing CO2 emissions while saving energy.

The company received the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Commissioner’s Award in the Product & Business Model category of The Energy Conservation Center (ECCJ), Japan’s 2019 Energy Conservation Grand Prize Awards.

“With reception of the ECCJ award, MHI Thermal Systems renews its determination to develop technologies and products that will contribute to further CO2 reduction and energy savings,” the company said.

ECCJ’s energy conservation awards are presented in recognition of outstanding energy-saving initiatives at businesses or workplaces that serve as model examples for other companies, or outstanding energy-saving products and business models. The program was created to contribute to the formation of an energy-saving society by spreading energy conservation awareness throughout Japan and promoting the adoption of energy-saving products.

MHI’s award-winning transport refrigeration units are the TE20/TE30 Series of plug-in hybrid systems suited to delivery applications.

The Series has been well-received since its launch in 2018, MHI said. It features a hybrid system combining a commercial plug-in power source, a backup battery and an alternator dedicated to the refrigerator. The system automatically switches between plug-in charging, alternator power and battery operation depending on status of vehicle operation (idling, running, parking). Additionally, by automatically switching to one of three modes (power save, high efficiency or full capacity), depending on the refrigerator battery’s remaining charge volume and the cargo room temperature, the cargo room temperature is maintained without relying on the driver, and energy usage is reduced by 14-54% compared with conventional units.

This helps to reduce the driver’s workload, CO2 emission and improves energy efficiency. In addition, maintenance has been simplified thanks to adoption of easy-to-handle, low-voltage parts like 24-volt general-purpose devices for conventional vehicles.