Impact Power Systems

Abstract : This review paper discusses various aspects of solar-powered cold storage with thermal energy storage backup. The paper provides insights into the development and designing of solar-hybrid cold storage systems for on-farm preservation of perishables. It covers the guidelines for testing set up and testing procedures for solar cold storage with thermal storage backup, specifications and requirements for the solar cold storage with thermal energy storage backup, and the technical designing of stand-alone solar photovoltaic and solar thermal driven cold storage unit with thermal storage system. The paper also presents economic analysis and feasibility, IRR, NPV, and Payback for different possible business models. Additionally, the paper covers the use of a solar-powered battery-free refrigerator with a cold thermal bank, the design and thermal analysis of a solar-powered cold storage warehouse using a phase-change material, and the design and test of an affordable cold room powered by solar. The study also evaluates the intervention to install solar-powered cold storage in northeast Nigeria, provides evidence from the evaluation of recent interventions in northeast Nigeria, and highlights the barriers impeding the deployment of solar-powered cold storage technologies for post-harvest tomato losses reduction. Finally, the paper presents the performance analysis of a household refrigerator integrating a PCM heat exchanger. IndexTerms – Solar Powered Cold Storage, Thermal Energy Storage. 1. Introduction: The world is facing an increasing demand for food due to the rapid growth of the global population. The post-harvest loss of perishable food items is a major problem that has been causing serious concerns among policymakers, farmers, and researchers. Inadequate storage facilities and infrastructure are some of the factors that lead to the wastage of perishables. Moreover, the conventional methods of storage, such as cold rooms and refrigerators, consume a large amount of energy and are expensive to operate, especially in rural and remote areas. In recent years, solar-powered cold storage with thermal energy storage backup has emerged as an alternative to traditional storage methods. This technology has the potential to address the challenges of food preservation and storage, especially in off-grid and remote areas. Solar-powered cold storage systems use renewable energy from the sun, which is abundant in many regions, to power the refrigeration cycle. Thermal energy storage (TES) backup systems are also used to ensure that the stored items remain cool during periods of low solar radiation. This literature review paper aims to summarize the recent developments and advancements in solar-powered cold storage with TES backup technology. The paper discusses various studies that have been conducted on this technology, including design, fabrication, and testing of solar-powered cold storage systems. The paper also highlights the benefits of solar-powered cold storage systems, such as reduced energy consumption, cost-effectiveness, and improved shelf-life of perishables. Finally, the paper identifies the challenges and barriers to the widespread adoption of solar-powered cold storage systems and proposes some possible solutions. 2. Design of Solar Powered Cold Storage with Thermal Energy Storage Munir et al. (2021) have developed and designed solar-grid hybrid cold storage system for on-farm pres