Target Zero

DC3 distribution warehouse at ProLogis, Dunstable

DC3 distribution warehouse at ProLogis, Pineham

The report offers good news to those responsible for the design of large distribution warehouses and demonstrates that the 2010 Part L compliance target of reducing operational carbon emissions by 25% is readily achievable using current best practice and without incurring any additional capital cost.

The study undertakes a detailed comparison of different energy efficiency measures, low and zero carbon (LZC) technologies and allowable solutions in order to identify the most cost-effective means of achieving likely future carbon reduction targets.

The key findings include:

• A package of compatible, cost-effective energy efficiency measures are possible that would yield a 54% reduction in regulated emissions relative to the Part L 2006 compliant base case¹ warehouse and yield a 25-year net present value saving of -£2,470,354.
• The estimated capital cost uplift of the steel portal frame base case distribution warehouse for achieving the following three BREEAM assessments is:
  0.04% to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’
  0.4% to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’
  4.8% to achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’
• Relative to the base case steel frame warehouse, a pre-cast concrete and glulam framed building was found to have a 14% higher carbon footprint (embodied carbon impact). A steel frame structure with northlights had a 7% higher impact than the base case warehouse.

¹ The base case building was defined based on an actual distribution warehouse, i.e. based on the same dimensions, specification, etc. Changes were then made to the fabric and services of the actual building to provide a base case warehouse that is representative of current practice and just complies with the requirements of Part L (2006).

Download report (PDF)

More…

• Report Summary
• Newsletters