Lowering the energy costs for refrigerated apple storage

We are developing an integrated system for operators of apple cold stores to better manage their energy use. We will integrate different software systems and create user interfaces for apple farmers to make informed decisions about a) energy costs b) coldstore conditions and c) fruit quality. At a later stage, the user interfaces will enable farmers to set automations, once they have become confident of the benefits.

Time of Use electricity tariffs are being introduced in much of Europe. The price differences can be large, e.g. 5c night, 20c daytime and 40c during the evening peak.  European data shows that periods of high electricity prices are also when the carbon content of grid electricity is highest (all coal/gas/oil plants at full power).  

Coldstores have thermal inertia. So our thesis is that a few hours of inactivity does not significantly affect fruit quality, and that farmers, given the tools, will make choices to save energy. 

Farmers are keen to exploit the energy price differences over the course of the day, but worry about the quality of their fruit. The project will study the fruit scientifically and give farmers the options of using energy price data to manage cold stores on-site, manage them remotely or let them be managed automatically.