Aura Systems, an El Segundo, Calif.-based technology company, has introduced an electric system that aims to save fuel and lower diesel emissions for large refrigeration trailers.
Conventional diesel-based refrigeration trailers use about one gallon of diesel an hour while in transit. Aura says the AuraGen system reduces fuel consumption during transit to 0.2 gallons per hour, a savings of 1,440 gallons per year based on industry estimates of the annual working hours of large cross-country haulers.
The system is designed to be integrated into a tractor, and has a quick connect and disconnect cable as well as a small interface box mounted on the refrigeration trailer. While the trailer is in transit, the AuraGen will power the refrigeration system as if it was plugged into shore power. Once the trailer is disconnected from the tractor, the existing system will operate as is.
The AuraGen system, which can be retrofitted on any existing refrigeration trailer, provides up to 20 kilowatts of electric power in either 240 VAC 3 phase or 480 VAC 3 phase configurations, according to the company.
Earlier this month, the company announced it was working with lithium-ion battery company Corvus Energy to bring a hybrid auxiliary power unit, or APU, to market using the AuraGen power system. The hybrid will use Corvus batteries as the prime power source and the AuraGen control and power management system will provide AC power.
