Solar refrigerators/freezers for Cold Chain Systems

The current UNICEF product portfolio is based on technologies prequalified under the WHO PQS  mechanism, and includes various sizes and technology of solar powered refrigerators such as Solar Battery Drive Refrigerators and Solar Direct Driver refrigerators. Refer to the most recent edition of the WHO PQS catalogue.

Challenges in solar refrigeration

UNICEF supports countries beyond the initial procurement of Cold Chain equipment. As such there are a number of challenges:

1. Identifying robust technology solutions that are appropriate for resource-limited settings.
2. Ensuring vaccine potency by deploying freeze- protection technology, controlling  temperature excursions and enabling rapid response to undesirable conditions, e.g. when excursions occur;
3. Ensuring that proper installation and commissioning is done with minimal expertise.
4. Conducting routine maintenance on timely basis by user who are most of the time a frontline health workers.
5. Training on preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment.

Preferred Technology Requirements

In order to address the above challenges, UNICEF is interested in a spectrum of solar powered refrigeration technologies. Innovative systems from other branches of industry are also of interest, specifically those that rely on temperature controlled supply chains. Proposed solutions will be evaluated against these criteria:

1. To what extent does the proposed solution address the above challenges?
2. To what extent does the proposed solution yield an optimum result at minimum cost and effort?
3. To what extent does the proposed solution meet the requirements for resource-limited settings?
4. Does the proposed solution have a long life span without excessive need for maintenance?
5. What are the requirements for maintenance and training, associated with the proposed solution?
6. What are other requirements that the consumer should be aware of, to ensure full functionality of the proposed solution?
7. Describe the cost implications and complexity of installation and routine use of the proposed solution.

Submissions

If you have an existing, new or emerging Solar powered refrigerator technology that has the potential to strengthen the Cold Chain System supporting immunisation in resource limited settings, then we would like to hear about it. You are encouraged to indicate any ongoing studies and research in this field, in which your organisation or firm is involved, even if results may not yet be available. However, ideally, proof of concept should be established. Technologies from other branches that could fit the profile could also be reported. Submit your information, on or before the closing date, to the email address given below, with ‘RFI Solar Powered Refrigerator/freezer’ in the subject line. Kindly include the following information:

1. Name of submitting entity;
2. Name and contact details of focal point;
3. Description (and visuals, if available) of the proposed solution(s), its developmental stage and how it meets the requirements outlined above;
4. Indicative cost indication; and
5. Permission that the submission may be made public.

Briefly describe to what extent the proposed solution meets the WHO minimum requirements, as per the  WHO PQS catalogue, irrespective of whether the solution is WHO prequalified or not.

A summary of the results from this RFI will be published in the public domain and may be presented at meetings. Any information considered confidential should be marked as such. Submissions must be made by email. Questions can be directed to the persons below. Responses to questions may be shared publicly.