Solar powered drug supply chains

Global Cold Chain Alliance has noted that the cold chain is positioned to take full advantage of solar energy and is even starting to emerge as a key player in this space.

In regards to this resource which can be used to lower power bills, carbon footprints and combat increasing energy prices on a macro scale, the group noted online that: “While most sectors can benefit from solar energy, the cold chain is uniquely positioned to take full advantage – and is emerging as a leader in the adoption of this technology”.

The presence of solar tech is indeed prevalent in parts of today’s cold chain for example in a collaboration with WHO (World Health Organisation) and PATH, Optimize explored the development of battery free solar direct-drive refrigerators for vaccines within the cold chain.

With some health centers in developing countries lacking access to constant electricity and gas and kerosene powered refrigerators being phased out, solar powered refrigerators stand as a solid alternative. Unicef last year procured that solar direct drive refrigerators are the more sustainable option to maintain temperature controlled logistics in areas without consistent electricity – which is a key roadblock for many other alternatives.

Although challenges are encountered by the fact that they require their battery to be exchanged every 5 years, which can cause major disruption to the devices. The Optimize study inspired the WHO prequalification of 3 battery free solar refrigerators.

Kloosterboer Delta Terminal on the Maasvlakte recently deployed 1800 solar panels on the roof of its cold storage facilities. This installement allows storage at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees. Yearly, these panels save 140 tons of CO2.

Over the last couple of years, technology has been infiltrating into the market to counter solar heat’s complications for the cold chain. This is seen with TP3 Global’s SilverSkin™ thermal covers which are designed for the protection of cold chain and controlled room temperature shipments. SilverSkin™ is a range of solar material specifically designed to reflect direct sun and prevent air exchange during risk points in the supply chain.

The material has been extensively tested and is available in different cover sizes to suit various skid and air cargo pallet configurations, it can fully encapsulate the freight to defer temperature change to protect against inclement weather and prevent contamination.

In regards to the complications solar spikes cause for the cold chain, Malik Zenti of DuPont explained:

“Solar radiation spikes regularly take place during external air handling operations and, although enormous strides have been made in recent years to improve the integrity of the pharma cool chain, the problem of 'tarmac standing time' has proved a difficult nut to crack. Tarmac standing time is where shipments of temperature-sensitive goods are left standing in fluctuating ambient conditions on the airside apron during the loading, unloading and transfer phases. It has been estimated that up to 5% of all transport events involve a temperature deviation from plan. And, according to IATA, 57% of temperature excursions occur during these 'uncontrolled' air-cargo stages of the distribution process. During such intervals, which are usually unplanned and unanticipated, pharma merchandise can be exposed to exceptional temperatures extremes as a result of the 'greenhouse' effects of solar radiation.”

Does solving this problem have any direct impact on consumers?

Malik Zenti: “Definitely, in terms of product safety. With temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical goods the merchandise must be kept within carefully defined temperature envelopes during transportation to ensure that consumers are not put at risk from dangerous or ineffective products safety is not compromised. In practice this means drug distribution must be compliant with prevailing good distribution practice (cGDP).

It's the same story with the air freight of foodstuffs where breathable, thermally-efficient, covers are also widely used. Here the concerns over global food security have heightened public sensitivity towards food wastage and the use of cargo covers plays an important part in ensuring that foodstuffs are transported between regions freshly and safely.”

Resources http://www.gcca.org/resources/publications/white-papers-reports/solar-energy-fact-sheet/ http://www.coldchainiq.com/downloadContent.cfm?ID=1880 http://www.unicef.org/supply/files/Cold_Chain_SDD_Information_Note.pdf # http://www.coldchainiq.com/quality-management/articles/tp3-showcases-thermal-protection-covers-at-cool-ch/ http://www.coldchainiq.com/regulatory-resources/articles/questions-under-the-cold-light/