It has always been MCI’s desire to support its customers’ need for highly energy efficient reefer solutions to help them reduce costs and meet their sustainability goals. Keen to prove its reefer energy savings and make the evidence available as a reliable tool to shipping lines, MCI asked engineering consultants COWI to validate the energy test results and methods in an independent performance validation.
Linda Høibye, Chief Market Manager, Environment, Health and Safety COWI explained: “Manufacturers of machines and equipment that do not need to comply with an energy rating (e.g. A+, B, etc.) find it hard to prove the facts when customers are being presented with similar claims by the competition. With the extensive certified test programme followed by thorough simulation work, MCI can now demonstrate the hard facts. We have verified that the methods and calculations they use are correct and valid. This investigation was carried out in accordance with ISO 1496-2.”
Test tool verifies reduced energy use in Star Cool reefers
The StarConomy control software was included in the energy efficiency test programme prior to market introduction. The software aims to match ‘cooling provided’ with ‘cooling required’ to keep the cargo within 0.25 degree Celsius of the set point.
Ever since Star Cool’s introduction 10 years ago, MCI has been setting the standards in energy efficiency. However, the new software has put the company on a totally new level - without compromising cargo care. The tests proved that Star Cool fitted with StarConomy delivers significant energy savings compared to other industry brands. This enabled MCI to illustrate the value of better insulation and machinery efficiency to its customers.
The graph below shows an example of indexed energy test results for a normal reefer trade pattern:
