- Why it’s so important to implement “green” technologies in warehousing logistics
- The facility of Heylen Warehouses in Venlo
- Singapore Logistics Hub by Kuehne + Nagel
- Fulfillment Center by Amazon in Essex
- Sorting Center by DHL Parcel in Zaltbommel
- Warehouse by Rhenus Logistics in Eindhoven
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusions
Humanity’s industrial activity has caused changes in the Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon (CO2) emissions are the global problem. Increased concentration of this component became the main reason for the greenhouse effect and climate changing. For comparison, in May 2020, the Geology Journal published the research about CO2 emissions in the world. According to it, carbon concentration has reached 414 ppmw in the world. It’s a record for the last 23 millions of years.
Why it’s so important to implement “green” technologies in warehousing logistics
It’s generally accepted, the main carbon emissions source is transport. Instead, the power sector is the most harmful for ecology. For example, thermal power stations transform chemical power of natural fuel into electricity. The combustion process produces the largest amount of carbon dioxide. You can compare the percentage of carbon footprint by sectors here.
Social responsible companies implement “green” technologies to reduce negative impact on the planet. It works as well for warehousing logistics. Large market players equip their warehouses with solar rooftops, as solar radiation is a renewable source of energy. Moreover, during the solar energy transformation process harmful substances don’t emit into the atmosphere.
We’ve collected 5 examples of how companies use solar batteries on warehouses to show you “green” logistics in work.
Case № 1. The facility of Heylen Warehouses in Venlo
In May 2020, Belgian real estate developer Heylen Warehouses got a big break in “green” logistics. The company has equipped its warehouse in Venlo (Netherlands) with solar batteries roof. The total panels area is 12,6 hectares. It’s almost 50 thousands solar panels (about 20 soccer fields). The rooftop photovoltaic power station’s peak capacity is 18 megawatts. This is enough to supply more than 4 thousand manufacturers with electricity for a year.
Solar panels installation will help to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere by 12 thousands tons per year. Heylen Warehouses noted they will invest in “green” technologies development at least 60 millions euro. The aim is to significantly reduce carbon footprint and allow tenants to contribute to the environment protection.
Case№ 2. Singapore Logistics Hub by Kuehne + Nagel
German logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel also invests in environment protection. One of their projects is a logistics hub on Pioneer Crescent Street (Singapore). The company has developed rooftop solar panels for warehouses in 2017 with CleanTech Solar.
The peak capacity of the power station is 844,8 kilowatts (0,844 megawatts). It can produce about 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. It’s enough to supply the logistics provider for power generation by 20%.
Operating time of the solar batteries is 20 years. During this time, they will help Kuehne + Nagel to reduce carbon footprint by 11 700 tons.
Case № 3. Fulfillment Center by Amazon in Essex
Amazon does its best to develop sustainable logistics. The company encourages business to implement ecological policy and procure electric transport. In October 2020, Amazon has taken another step to “green” technologies. It has installed the solar power station on the fulfilment center roof in Essex (Great Britain).
Amazon’s warehouse total area is 2 million square feets. The roof is equipped with more than 11 thousand solar panels. Their peak capacity is 4,83 megawatts. The solar panels can produce 2700 megawatt-hours per year. It’s enough to supply about 700 facilities with electricity.
Fulfillment Center in Essex is part of the Amazon Climate Pledge project, which was launched in 2019. In this way eCommerce giant is going to completely switch to renewable energy sources by 2025. According to Climate Pledge, Amazon plans to zero carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere by 2040.
Case № 4. Sorting Center by DHL Parcel in Zaltbommel
DHL is one more great example of how we can use solar batteries instead of roofs in warehousing logistics. In 2019, the logistics provider has opened one of the “greenest” sorting centers in the Netherlands.
KiesZon has installed rooftop PV systems for DHL. 11 thousands of solar panels produce about 2,5 millions kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Solar power stations will help the company to reduce carbon emissions by 1,5 millions kilograms per year.
As Amazon, DHL seeks to minimize harmful emissions to zero. It’s the project for sustainable development by 2050. Moreover, DHL constantly invests in modern vehicles. For the sorting center in Zaltbommel, the company has purchased smart delivery vans. 300 vehicles is environmentally friendly. They are equipped with electric motors.
Case № 5. Warehouse by Rhenus Logistics in Eindhoven
Rhenus Logistics also takes care of environment protection. In 2017, the company installed solar panels on its distribution center in Eindhoven (Netherlands). It’s 15 318 solar batteries, which can produce about 4 millions kilowatts-hours per year. Solar panels were installed by KiesZon.
Additionally, Rhenus Logistics equipped its warehouse with LED-lighting. It helps to manage consumed electricity. LED lights are connected to a special platform, which controls warehouse needs.
According to KiesZon, after solar roof installation, the logistics provider will reduce CO2 emissions for more 2 millions kilograms per year.
Frequently asked questions about solar panels
Actually, carbon dioxide is an important component of Earth’s atmosphere. Plants use it to produce oxygen. But there is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it insulates the heat in the planet. As the greenhouse effect arises, the Earth’s climate is changing. Moreover, CO2 in large amounts negatively affects a human-being.
A rooftop solar system catches ultraviolet radiation and transforms it into electricity. There is no need to burn fuel, which, as a result, releases negative components in the atmosphere.
Electric bills are so expensive for warehouses. By installing solar panels companies invest in their own energy source. So, electricity becomes free for warehouses with solar panels after several years of operation.
Conclusions
Large market players actively invest in “green” technologies. It’s a so-called sustainable development policy. The process helps to meet the current generation needs without harming the future inhabitants of the planet.
Logistics providers are aimed to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere to zero. They do it by installing solar panels on warehouses. Such roofs allow for significantly reducing carbon footprint.
Moreover, solar radiation is a renewable source of energy. By investing in “green” technologies companies save money for electricity in addition to caring for the environment. According to some estimates, a company can fully recoup expenses and use free energy 10 years after solar panels installation. It significantly reduces money losses for warehouse maintenance.
