Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - March 2008 - (Page 36)

Green Warehouses One other area where the supply chain has a significant impact on energy use is in warehouse facilities. A few leading companies are taking advantage of flat warehouse roofs, which are perfect for installation of solar panels. General Motors, for example, is using solar energy to generate half of the electricity needed to run its new 300,000-squarefoot warehouse in Fontana, Calif. This is GM’s second solar installation, the first being at another warehouse in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The Fontana facility will feed enough extra electricity back to the grid to power more than 300 homes for a year, GM said in a statement. Similarly, Staples last year opened a 300,000-square-foot distribution center in Killingly, Conn., the largest solar power installation in New England. The facility was financed by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and solar provider SunEdison so Staples incurred no capital expense. Moreover, Staples is able to purchase solar energy off its rooftop at a rate below or equal to the cost of electricity off the grid. This reduces its operating costs while freeing up more electricity during peak times for use by local homes and businesses. “The solar power system installed at our Killingly distribution center is part of Staples’ integrated strategy for a 7 percent reduction in the company’s U.S. carbon emissions by 2010 on an absolute basis, starting from a base year of 2001,” says Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs. Mike Peters, first vice president at ProLogis, Denver, the world’s largest owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities, says the most popular program among its warehouse customers is the conversion to energy-efficient fluorescent lighting. “The reason is because the payback is quick, significant and easily definable. You get your investment back in one to three years,” he says. Having a green facility is becoming more of a decision point with customers looking for space, Peters says. This is one reason ProLogis has launched a sustainability initiative requiring all of its new development in the United States to comply with environmental standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a building industry nonprofit group that promotes sustainable development. As part of the initiative, ProLogis will register each building with the USGBC to be considered for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, the U.S. national standard for environmentally responsible construction. Presently, ProLogis has 3.5 million square feet in the U.S. under design or construction for which it is pursuing LEED certification. Additionally, ProLogis has successfully trained all of its North American project managers on sustainability and U.S. Green Building Council LEED standards. So far more than 25 have become LEED Accredited Professionals; the remaining associates are expected to achieve that status over the next few months. 36 MARCH 2008

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Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - March 2008 Editorial GL & SCS Exclusive FastForward Up Front The Green in Green Think Inside the Box Have a Second Look Can't Happen Here Opinion: Stay in the Black as Your Workforce Fades to Gray Opinion: Four Critical Steps to Managing Change in the Supply Chain Industry Voices

Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - March 2008

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