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Smart-Farm-Integrated Cold Thermal Energy Storage (CTES) Systems for Clean, Solar-Powered Rural Postharvest Cooling: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Ahsan Mehtab

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Hong-Seok Mun

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
    Department of Multimedia Engineering, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eddiemar B. Lagua

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
    Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System (BK21 Plus), Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea)

  • Hae-Rang Park

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea)

  • Jin-Gu Kang

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
    Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System (BK21 Plus), Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea)

  • Young-Hwa Kim

    (Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System (BK21 Plus), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea)

  • Md Kamrul Hasan

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea)

  • Md Sharifuzzaman

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea)

  • Sang-Bum Ryu

    (Soo Energy Co., Ltd., 56, Munemi-ro 448beon-gil, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon 21417, Republic of Korea
    Department of Mechanical Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea)

  • Chul-Ju Yang

    (Animal Nutrition and Feed Science Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
    Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System (BK21 Plus), Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Cold thermal energy storage (CTES) has emerged as a critical clean-energy technology for enhancing postharvest management in rural agricultural supply chains, where losses often exceed 20–40% due to inadequate cooling infrastructure and unreliable electricity. This review synthesizes the recent literature on CTES systems, including ice-, chilled-water-, and phase-change material (PCM)-based storage, with a focus on smart-farm integration, IoT-based monitoring, predictive control, and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy coupling. Trends in village-level cold rooms, micro-dairy milk cooling, and fruit–vegetable storage are critically examined, highlighting efficiency, resilience, and scalability relative to battery-dominant and conventional refrigeration systems. Current research gaps are identified in multi-scale modeling, PCM stability, state-of-charge estimation, techno-economic optimization, and AI-based operational strategies. Addressing these gaps is essential to realizing sustainable, low-carbon, and energy-efficient rural cold chains.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahsan Mehtab & Hong-Seok Mun & Eddiemar B. Lagua & Hae-Rang Park & Jin-Gu Kang & Young-Hwa Kim & Md Kamrul Hasan & Md Sharifuzzaman & Sang-Bum Ryu & Chul-Ju Yang, 2026. "Smart-Farm-Integrated Cold Thermal Energy Storage (CTES) Systems for Clean, Solar-Powered Rural Postharvest Cooling: A Review," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:8:y:2026:i:2:p:48-:d:1911434
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