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Jun 29, 2021 at 5:07 PMVTG equips its container flatcars and double pocket cars with the SWS-PowerBox. The box enables autonomous, environmentally friendly power supply for temperature-controlled rail transports. With the box, cooling or heating of loading units for food and pharmaceutical transports can be regulated.
(Hamburg) Smart solution on the rails: With the SWS-PowerBox®, VTG will expand its offering for the transport of temperature-controlled goods by rail. A hydraulic pump attached to the wheelset generates electricity during travel, connected to a generator. This allows reefer containers, swap bodies, and tank containers, as well as refrigerated semi-trailers for the transport of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, or pharmaceuticals to be optimally temperature-controlled.
The system was developed by the Austrian technology company SWS Power Solutions. “With the intelligent solution from SWS Power Solutions, we offer another service around the sustainable transport of sensitive goods, improving not only our offering for customers but also strengthening the rail transport mode,” says Jakob Öhrström, Managing Director and Head of the Center of Competence Intermodal at VTG Rail Europe GmbH. “We continuously invest in state-of-the-art equipment and provide top-notch solutions to shift reefer transports to rail in Europe, thereby further promoting the modal shift. This significantly reduces road transports, which in turn decreases CO2 emissions many times over.”
Energy Conversion Enables Power Supply
The SWS-PowerBox® can be mounted on 80′ and 90′ container flatcars as well as double pocket cars and consists of a steel housing that embeds the complete power supply system. The hydraulic pump attached to the wheelset drives a generator, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. The electricity generated powers the temperature units and charges the battery. Thus, the power supply system operates autonomously and does not require power from the locomotive; at the same time, a continuous power supply is ensured without interruptions – even when the cars are stationary. At the terminal or loading track, the battery can be easily charged via a Type 2 charging plug. Additionally, CEE plugs are mounted on each side of the car, allowing all reefer units of the maritime and continental segments (refrigerated trailers) to be powered according to the loading scheme.
Digital Monitoring
Furthermore, continuous monitoring of battery capacity, power supply, and power consumption, as well as fault analysis, is ensured through sensors combined with telematics. The data is fed into the digital customer platform traigo and made available to customers.
Graphic: © VTG
