Cold Hubs

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$28,000.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

ColdHubs currently partners with GIZ, Factore and Fledge. ColdHubs is also partnering with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to set up an off-grid cold storage system in a Refugee Market in Mtwara Region of Tanzania. Aga Khan Foundation East Africa is the project's local partner.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Evaptainers EV-8, EcoFrost Micro Cold Storage, and Mitticool Clay Refrigerator.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The different parts are sourced in batches and then assembled together.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the product from the ColdHubs website. ColdHubs also have a pay-as-you-store model where smallholder farmers pay $0.50 USD per crate per day to store their produce.

Distributions to Date Status

Over 50 units sold (interview with representative).

Design Specifications

Design specifications include:

• The exterior dimensions are 3.048 m x 3.048 m x 2.1336 m (LxWxH).
• The stainless floor is made with 0.8 – 1 mm aluminum.
• The energy efficient monoblock refrigeration unit is connected to a set of inverters and batteries that supplies energy. These batteries are charged by solar panels generating about 5.7 kWh of energy.
• ColdHubs are guaranteed to provide autonomous refrigeration 24/7 without grid connection.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

On implementation of the pay-as-you-store model, ColdHubs recruits and trains locals (mainly women) for its management and operation.

Replacement Components

Batteries

Lifecycle

Between 20-25 years ^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

• Employs female small scale farmers by recruiting and training them to work as ColdHubs operators.
• Reduces daily labour costs for harvesting and transportation from 5 hours per day to 1 hour per day through eliminating the need to return to the farm to store unsold, harvested produce or to harvest additional produce for sale.
• Acts as a warehouse, providing farmers, an opportunity to store their products when there is product glut in the market and sell later when prices increase.

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

• ColdHubs Youtube channel
• ColdHubs Facebook page