"The new SLXi Hybrid cooling machine for Thermo King trailers combines the Thermo King and Frigoblock technology," according to Lonneke van Kerkfort of Thermo King Transportkoeling. The SLXi Hybrid is a cooling unit for trailers used to cool products such as plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, which uses electrical power from the truck rather than its own diesel motor. "This new cooling unit is much more eco friendly and sustainable than the regular SLXi cooling unit which runs on diesel," according to Kerkfort.
Until 2015 Thermo King and Frigoblock, specialised in non-diesel driven cooling installations and were two separate brands. After the takeover in 2015 Frigoblock became part of Thermo King and both companies collaborated creating the new SLXi Hybrid cooling unit.
Generator
The SLXi Hybrid uses a package of Frigoblock technology. The package contains a generator and inverter that can be installed on the truck motor. This generator, together with the inverter, transforms the mechanical energy that is created during driving into electricity with a set frequency. "It works like a dynamo that creates power that is transformed into a constant tension. This allowed the cooling machine to cool without diesel after delivery and can be used autonomously without excess noise or energy."
Green
The new cooling unit can be installed on both new and existing trailers. However the applicability is limited to certain truck brands (for now). "Depending on how 'green' a company wants to be, customers opt for the SLXi Hybrid." Besides environmental advantages the new cooling unit can also save on diesel. "Stretched over the average lifespan of a trailer combination of 8 to 10 years the total cost of ownership with the SLXi hybrid cooling unit is almost the same as a unit that runs on its own diesel motor."