Investigation of the source-load characteristics of a PV-battery-refrigeration coupled system for long-distance transportation in vehicle-mounted refrigerated containers

Supplying refrigerated trucks with photovoltaic power has become an important strategy for improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in the cold-chain transportation sector. In this study, a PV system was integrated into a standard refrigerated container. Considering various environmental influencing factors, heat transfer and power generation models of the PV-integrated refrigerated container were developed. The electric-cooling balance of the PV-integrated refrigerated container was then analyzed during cross-regional transport along the Tianjin-Tongliao route. Finally, the potential carbon emission reductions were evaluated. During a simulated cross-regional transport from Tianjin to Tongliao, the theoretical power generation of the photovoltaic system throughout the year is sufficient to meet the cooling needs of the refrigerated container, with a maximum theoretical power generation of over 25 kWh. The surplus power generation for each transportation in different months ranges from 7.55 kWh to 16.36 kWh in different months. Along the Tianjin-Tongliao transport route, the cumulative carbon savings over a ten-year service life are estimated to reach approximately 25.4 metric tons of CO$_2$. ... mehrBy presenting clearly defined monthly and annual performance metrics, this study provides an intuitive understanding of the value of PV integration in refrigerated vehicles.