In the heart of India’s agricultural landscape, a revolutionary solution is sprouting, promising to transform the way we think about food preservation and transportation. Imagine a world where the journey from farm to market is not just efficient but also eco-friendly, where post-harvest losses are minimized, and where the quality of produce is maintained at its peak. This vision is becoming a reality, thanks to a groundbreaking study led by Lalith Pankaj Raj Nadimuthu from the Centre for Rural Energy at The Gandhigram Rural Institute.
Nadimuthu and his team have developed a solar-thermoelectric mobile storage system integrated with electric vehicles (EVs), designed to tackle the pressing issue of post-harvest losses in perishable agricultural commodities. The system, detailed in a recent publication, leverages solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to power a thermoelectric cooling mechanism, creating a decentralized, off-grid cold storage solution.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, this innovation offers a practical application that aligns with global sustainability goals. “This system not only addresses the immediate need for cold storage in rural areas but also contributes to the broader objective of reducing carbon footprints,” Nadimuthu explains. By integrating solar power with electric vehicles, the system ensures that the cold chain remains uninterrupted, even during transportation.
The core of the system is a 100 Wp polycrystalline solar PV module, which powers a 12V/6A thermoelectric cooler with a 12L storage capacity. This setup is supported by a 12V/40Ah battery, ensuring continuous operation even in the absence of direct sunlight. The refrigeration chamber maintains a controlled temperature range of +2°C to +8°C, crucial for preserving the quality and shelf life of perishable produce.
In a series of experiments, the team evaluated the system’s performance using Vitis vinifera, commonly known as grapes. The results were striking: refrigerated grapes showed a controlled weight reduction of up to 87.6% compared to those stored under ambient conditions. This significant reduction in physiological loss in weight (PLW) underscores the system’s effectiveness in maintaining optimal storage conditions.
But the benefits don’t stop at weight retention. The system also excels in microbial preservation, a critical factor in ensuring food safety. By maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels, the system effectively suppresses microbial growth, including bacterial, fungal, and yeast populations. This was quantified using colony-forming unit (CFU) counts per millilitre, demonstrating the system’s efficacy in preventing microbial contamination.
The potential commercial impacts are vast. For the energy sector, this innovation represents a new frontier in renewable energy applications. It showcases how solar power can be harnessed not just for lighting or basic electricity needs but for sophisticated, temperature-controlled storage solutions. This could open up new markets and opportunities for solar energy providers, particularly in rural and agricultural regions.
Moreover, the integration with electric vehicles adds another layer of innovation. As the world moves towards electric mobility, this system provides a practical use case that aligns with broader sustainability goals. It demonstrates how electric vehicles can be more than just a mode of transport; they can be integral to the supply chain, ensuring that produce reaches the market in the best possible condition.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, titled “Solar-thermoelectric mobile storage system integrated with electric vehicles for reducing postharvest and microbial losses in agro produce transportation,” highlights the environmental sustainability and practical applicability of the micro cold storage (MCS) system. By enabling access to affordable, reliable, and renewable energy sources, the system directly contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, while simultaneously addressing food waste reduction and improving the efficiency and resilience of agro-supply chains.
As we look to the future, this research paves the way for further developments in the field. It challenges us to think beyond traditional cold storage solutions and consider the potential of renewable energy and electric vehicles in transforming the agricultural sector. The journey from farm to market is about to get a lot greener, and the energy sector is at the heart of this revolution.