Accelerating the Adoption of Energy Efficiency and Renewables in Warehouses and Distribution Centers

Abstract

Commercial warehouses and storage facilities represent a large portion of commercial buildings in the United States, and their share increases every year. American warehouses are currently 15.5% of the national commercial sector floorspace using 0.43 quads of energy every year. Being the second most common commercial building type according to the latest EIA energy outlook, warehouses sustainability is a key component to decarbonize US commercial buildings. Companies are taking multiple steps in reducing the CO2 emissions in the logistics sector, and specifically improving the energy efficiency of warehouse facilities.The National Renewable Energy Laboratory worked with the U.S. Department of Energy to• Portray the current landscape of efficiency measures and sustainability actions taken in the warehouse sector.• Provide guidance to overcome barriers, meet sector needs, and identify opportunities to enhance sustainability and substantially reduce the carbon footprint of the warehouse sector through ultra-high-efficient, zero-energy design, electrification considerations in buildings and vehicles, and grid-friendly operation.More than 60 pieces of literature and internet blogs about sustainability in warehouses and logistics have been consulted, to analyze the current state-of-the art research and practices in the warehouse sector. We also performed one-on-one interviews with warehouse managers and stakeholders. Data collected through literature and interviews provided the status of warehousing in the context of sustainability including energy efficiency, renewables, and carbon emissions.