Zondus SolarContainer Ecosystem is an electrified container, railcar, ship, connection pad, and/or semi-trailer system for generating, storing, and supplying electricity for freight transportation.
Key points:
The system involves modifying standard shipping containers (ISO 668) to integrate thin-film photovoltaic panels, battery storage, electrified twist-lock connectors, and a container controller.
Prism panels mounted on container walls redirect sunlight vertically onto the photovoltaic panels for efficient electricity generation. The panels charge a battery array mounted in the container floor.
Electrified twist-lock connectors on the container corners allow transfer of electricity and data between stacked/connected containers, vehicles like railcars and semi-trailers, ships, and connection pads.
A container controller monitors and controls the energy generation, storage, transfer and usage. Data is wirelessly transmitted to a cloud-based system for analytics.
Retrofitting kits allow modifying existing containers with the electrification components.
Uses:
Provide mobile, renewable electricity generation and storage for freight transport, reducing reliance on carbon fuels.
Allow containers to power their own transport via electrified/motorized vehicles.
Enable transfer of stored electricity between containers, vehicles, ships and pads.
Supply electricity where needed, e.g. for disaster relief or remote locations.
Monitor energy usage via cloud-based analytics for optimization.
In summary, this patent application describes an integrated system to harvest, store, share and utilize solar energy for freight transportation and electricity supply needs. The modular, mobile and connectable design allows flexibility.