Wabash Partners with University of Delaware to Advance Solar Solutions in Commercial Transportation
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office for a three-year research project starting next year. In partnership with the University of Delaware's Center for Composite Materials, the project aims to integrate high-efficiency solar energy into refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, advancing zero-emission mid-mile transportation.
The project will combine Wabash's proprietary EcoNex™ Technology for enhanced thermal efficiency with the University of Delaware's TuFF technology, utilizing recycled aerospace-grade carbon fiber. This collaboration seeks to address key electrification challenges by reducing weight and energy consumption in commercial vehicles, potentially revolutionizing refrigerated transport and offering a truly green, well-to-wheel approach to energy consumption.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) ha ricevuto un finanziamento di 1,6 milioni di dollari dal Dipartimento dell'Energia degli Stati Uniti, Ufficio Tecnologie Energetiche Solari, per un progetto di ricerca di tre anni che inizierà il prossimo anno. In collaborazione con il Centro per i Materiali Compositi dell'Università del Delaware, il progetto mira a integrare l'energia solare ad alta efficienza in rimorchi refrigerati e carrozzerie di camion, promuovendo un trasporto mid-mile a zero emissioni.
Il progetto combinerà la tecnologia proprietaria di Wabash, EcoNex™, per una maggiore efficienza termica, con la TuFF technology dell'Università del Delaware, utilizzando fibra di carbonio riciclata di qualità aerospaziale. Questa collaborazione si propone di affrontare le principali sfide dell'elettrificazione riducendo il peso e il consumo energetico nei veicoli commerciali, potenzialmente rivoluzionando il trasporto refrigerato e offrendo un approccio veramente green, dal pozzo alla ruota, al consumo energetico.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) ha sido otorgado un subsidio de 1.6 millones de dólares por el Departamento de Energía de EE. UU., Oficina de Tecnologías de Energía Solar, para un proyecto de investigación de tres años que comenzará el próximo año. En colaboración con el Centro de Materiales Compuestos de la Universidad de Delaware, el proyecto busca integrar energía solar de alta eficiencia en remolques refrigerados y cuerpos de camiones, avanzando hacia un transporte mid-mile sin emisiones.
El proyecto combinará la tecnología patentada de Wabash, EcoNex™, para una mayor eficiencia térmica con la TuFF technology de la Universidad de Delaware, utilizando fibra de carbono reciclada de grado aeroespacial. Esta colaboración busca abordar los principales desafíos de electrificación al reducir el peso y el consumo de energía en vehículos comerciales, revolucionando potencialmente el transporte refrigerado y ofreciendo un enfoque verdaderamente ecológico, de pozo a rueda, sobre el consumo de energía.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC)는 미국 에너지부 태양에너지 기술 사무소로부터 160만 달러의 보조금을 받아 내년 시작되는 3년 연구 프로젝트를 진행하게 되었습니다. 델라웨어 대학교 복합재료 센터와 협력하여 이 프로젝트는 냉장 트레일러와 트럭 차체에 고효율 태양광 에너지를 통합하는 것을 목표로 하며, 제로 배출 미드 마일 운송을 발전시킵니다.
이 프로젝트는 Wabash의 독점 기술인 EcoNex™ 기술와 델라웨어 대학교의 TuFF 기술를 결합하여 우주 항공 등급의 재활용 탄소 섬유를 활용할 것입니다. 이 협력은 상업용 차량의 무게와 에너지 소비를 줄여 전기화의 주요 도전과제를 해결하려고 하며, 냉장 운송을 혁신하고 에너지 소비에 대한 진정한 친환경적 접근 방식인 좋은 곳에서 바퀴까지의 접근 방식을 제공합니다.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) a reçu un subvention de 1,6 million de dollars du Département de l'Énergie des États-Unis, Bureau des Technologies Solaires, pour un projet de recherche de trois ans lançant l'année prochaine. En partenariat avec le Centre des Matériaux Composites de l'Université du Delaware, le projet vise à intégrer l'énergie solaire de haute efficacité dans les remorques réfrigérées et les carrosseries de camions, faisant progresser le transport à zéro émission sur le mid-mile.
Le projet combinera la technologie EcoNex™ exclusive de Wabash pour une meilleure efficacité thermique avec la technologie TuFF de l'Université du Delaware, utilisant de la fibre de carbone recyclée de qualité aérospatiale. Cette collaboration cherche à relever les principaux défis de l'électrification en réduisant le poids et la consommation d'énergie dans les véhicules commerciaux, révolutionnant potentiellement le transport réfrigéré et offrant une approche véritablement verte, du puits à la roue, de la consommation d'énergie.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) erhielt einen Fördermittel in Höhe von 1,6 Millionen Dollar vom US-Energieministerium, Büro für Solarenergietechnologien, für ein drei Jahre dauerndes Forschungsprojekt, das im nächsten Jahr beginnen wird. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Zentrum für Verbundwerkstoffe der Universität von Delaware zielt das Projekt darauf ab, Hocheffiziente Solarenergie in Kühlsattelanhänger und Lkw-Aufbauten zu integrieren, um den emissionsfreien Mid-Mile-Transport voranzutreiben.
Das Projekt kombiniert die proprietäre EcoNex™ Technologie von Wabash zur Verbesserung der thermischen Effizienz mit der TuFF-Technologie der Universität von Delaware, die recycelte Luftfahrt-Qualität Kohlefaser nutzt. Diese Zusammenarbeit versucht, wichtige Elektrifizierungsherausforderungen anzugehen, indem das Gewicht und der Energieverbrauch von Nutzfahrzeugen reduziert werden, was das Potenzial hat, den Kühllogistiksektor zu revolutionieren und einen wirklich grünen Ansatz vom Brunnen zur Straße für den Energieverbrauch zu bieten.
- Received $1.6 million grant from U.S. Department of Energy for solar energy research
- Partnership with University of Delaware to integrate solar energy into refrigerated trailers and truck bodies
- Potential to reduce reliance on electrical grid and minimize overall emissions in commercial transportation
- Utilization of proprietary EcoNex™ Technology to enhance thermal efficiency and reduce energy consumption
- Only trailer and truck body OEM selected for this government grant, highlighting leadership in sustainability and innovation
- None.
Insights
This partnership between Wabash and the University of Delaware marks a significant step towards sustainable commercial transportation. The
The use of Wabash's EcoNex™ Technology and UD's TuFF technology presents a holistic approach to sustainability, tackling both energy efficiency and weight reduction. This could lead to substantial improvements in payload capacity and overall vehicle efficiency, potentially reshaping the economics of electric heavy-duty vehicles.
For investors, this project positions Wabash at the forefront of sustainable transportation solutions, potentially opening new revenue streams and enhancing its competitive edge in the evolving market. The focus on mid-mile transportation and CARB compliance across various vehicle types suggests a scalable solution with broad market applicability.
Wabash's involvement in this DOE-funded project signifies a strategic move in the commercial transportation sector. As the only trailer and truck body OEM selected for this grant, Wabash gains a significant competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving sustainable transportation market.
The project's focus on integrating solar energy into refrigerated trailers addresses a important challenge in electrifying cold chain logistics. By potentially reducing reliance on the electrical grid and minimizing overall emissions, this innovation could become a game-changer for fleet operators looking to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Investors should note that success in this project could lead to increased demand for Wabash's products, particularly among environmentally conscious customers and those operating in regions with strict emissions standards. The three-year timeline suggests that tangible results and potential commercialization could impact Wabash's market position in the medium term.
Company receives research grant from U.S. Department of Energy
LAFAYETTE, Ind., Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wabash (NYSE: WNC), the visionary leader of connected solutions for the transportation, logistics and distribution industries, announced today it was selected to receive a
The three-year project, set to begin next year in partnership with the University of Delaware’s Center for Composite Materials, focuses on integrating high-efficiency solar energy into refrigerated trailers and truck bodies. This innovation will play a pivotal role in making zero-emission mid-mile transportation a commercially viable option.
“This project has the potential to revolutionize refrigerated transport by reducing reliance on the electrical grid and minimizing overall emissions,” said Michael Bodey, director of technology discovery and innovation at Wabash. “While many of today’s zero-emission products focus on tailpipe emissions, they still draw power from energy grids, which often rely on non-renewable sources. Our goal is to offer a truly green solution—a well-to-wheel approach—that accounts for the full life cycle of energy consumption, from production to usage.”
Wabash will use its proprietary EcoNex™ Technology, a composite material designed to enhance thermal efficiency and reduce energy consumption, while the University of Delaware will contribute its proprietary TuFF technology, which utilizes recycled aerospace-grade carbon fiber, to strengthen and lighten the trailers and truck bodies.
“By incorporating lightweight solar panels and utilizing EcoNex Technology in refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, we are addressing two of the most significant barriers to electrification: weight and energy consumption,” Bodey explained. “EcoNex not only improves the insulation and performance of the trailers but also contributes to overall weight reduction, making the solution even more efficient.”
Batteries powering heavy trucks can weigh between 5,000 to 10,000 pounds, often limiting the payload capacity and drawing significant energy from the electrical grid when charging. The goal of this project is to develop enabling technologies that reduce the weight and energy needs of these vehicles while offering fleet customers greener, more efficient transportation options.
“TuFF is the world’s strongest short fiber composite that is reciprocal with sustainable solutions to the mobility industry. It’s great to collaborate with Wabash on building the most sustainable solar panel integrated refrigerated trailer for the trucking industry,” said Srikanth Pilla, UD PI and director of the Center for Composites Materials at the University of Delaware.
Wabash is the only trailer and truck body original equipment manufacturer (OEM) selected for this government grant, highlighting its unique leadership position in sustainability and innovation. By focusing on mid-mile transportation, the project seeks to create a flexible solar energy system that can be CARB-compliant across different vehicle types, without requiring fully electric platforms to meet compliance.
This initiative is part of the DOE’s Silicon Solar Manufacturing and Dual-use Photovoltaics Incubator Funding Program, which supports advancements in PV technology across the supply chain and fosters new markets for American products. The outcomes of this project will help Wabash continue to evolve its technology ecosystem and green its supply chain to better serve its customers’ sustainability goals.
Wabash: Changing How the World Reaches You®
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) is the visionary leader of connected solutions for the transportation, logistics and distribution industries that is Changing How the World Reaches You®. Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, the company enables customers to thrive by providing insight into tomorrow and delivering pragmatic solutions today to move everything from first to final mile. Wabash designs, manufactures, and services a diverse range of products, including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, flatbed trailers, tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade processing equipment. Learn more at
onewabash.com.
University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials
The University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) was established in 1974. It has been recognized as a Center of Excellence in Composites Materials and Structures six times by the DOD, NSF, and FAA. Technology transition occurs through the Industrial Consortium, with over 350 industrial companies participating since 1978. UD-CCM has a 50-year history of interdisciplinary research covering raw materials (fibers, fiber sizings), intermediate forms (fabrics, prepregs), manufacturing (forming, infusion, winding, pultrusion), joining technologies, modeling and simulation tools, and inspection methods. Learn more at https://www.ccm.udel.edu/.
Media Contact:
Dana Stelsel
Director, Communications
(765) 771-5766
dana.stelsel@onewabash.com
Investor Relations:
Ryan Reed
Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
(765) 490-5664
ryan.reed@onewabash.com
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