Advancing Sustainable Practices in Food Delivery

Project Lead: Olivia Mirza, Western Sydney University

Project Partners: Box Divvy

This project aims to design and prototype a novel system to electrify the diesel-powered refrigeration systems of trucks using renewable energy sources. This system will enable refrigeration systems to operate using clean and renewable energy from the sun and/or EV charging stations, storing excess energy in batteries for later use. This will reduce the delivery vehicles’ carbon footprint and fuel costs. According to the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) in 2017, only a 10% reduction in energy use of trucking refrigeration would result in energy cost savings of approximately $15 million per year (over $ 30 million in 2023). Aligned with SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 2050 net zero pledge, the innovative and scalable solution provides a reliable and sustainable energy source for truck refrigeration units, eliminating the environmental impact of traditional diesel-powered systems.

Project Timeline: October 2024 – September 2026