Challenges In Renewable Energy Logistics

We depend on the energy supply chain so that our everyday lives can run smoothly. We need energy to heat and cool our homes, light our office buildings, move freight, and more. As the world continues to combat climate change, renewable energy is quickly growing as an energy source for our daily lives.

Every industry has its own set of challenges, and the renewable energy sector is no different. Detail shipping arrangements, safety, and visibility can all be challenging elements of renewable energy shipments. A third-party logistics company (3PL) can help find solutions to your shipping problems so you can make sure your freight is successfully delivered.

An Eye for Detail

Solar energy in the U.S. is booming. In just the last decade, solar has had an average annual growth rate of 49 percent! As sales continue to increase, so does the amount of freight shipments. The shipment of solar panels, or renewable elements in general, requires an eye for detail and prior knowledge on how to handle them. Renewable energy freight needs specific packaging and proper handling to protect them from damage and shipping hazards.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a widely accepted manual pertaining to the handling of photovoltaics (another term for solar or PV) panels. This is because there are many PV manufacturers in the renewable energy industry that create all types of panels, and all need to be handled differently.

Since there is no standardized manual, choosing a 3PL with knowledge and experience on arranging renewable energy shipments is crucial. Due to their fragile nature, solar freight can be expensive to ship. You’re going to want a team that knows your industry, has an extensive carrier network that will safely deliver your freight, and pays attention to detail.

Safety First

Safety is a top priority when shipping renewable energy. Freight such as hydroelectric turbine blades or wind turbines requires special care. With the over-dimensional nature of turbines, an expert that specializes in heavy haul shipments is imperative.

Looking for an extensive guide to keep on hand for your over-dimensional shipping? Check out our Over-Dimensional Shipping guide here.

Majority of the accidents that occur when shipping wind energy or hydrodynamic power is a result of human error. Shipping this specific freight requires experience and education. Choosing to work with a 3PL helps you put safety and compliance first and finds ways to safely reduce costs.

Increasing Visibility

The renewable energy industry can be complex and time sensitive. Multi-process operations require a lot of data storage and memory. Increasing visibility in the energy supply chain will provide aid for these challenges. One way to gain visibility in your supply chain is through a Transportation Management System (TMS). Any shipment tracking, consolidation tools, or business intelligence for reporting is all available at the shipper’s fingertips. Partnering with a 3PL with an advanced TMS can help give complete visibility into analytics and reporting. By providing the technology needed to best manage your supply chain processes all while offering expertise in arranging shipments in the renewable energy industry, Trinity Logistics has the resources to make your shipping challenges a bit easier to manage.

Shipping renewable energy is a whole other ball game. Attention to detail, safety, and visibility are required for everything to move efficiently through the supply chain. Make the choice to outsource to a 3PL, like Trinity Logistics, who understands your unique challenges and how to face them.

Learn more about how Trinity can handle your renewable energy freight safely and efficiently.

Author: Victoria Dalton