In 2012 Prologis launched an energy efficiency upgrade project at Pier 1 with a goal to reduce energy use by 20% and demonstrate Prologis’ commitment to leading by example. The Pier 1 energy efficiency project is expected to demonstrate not only energy savings, but also ways in which commercial real estate companies can work with city agencies to promote innovative financing solutions that deliver lower operating costs and have a lower impact on the environment.
The project is an historic waterfront industrial warehouse pier building that was converted into Class A office space in the year 2000. The property is owned by the City of San Francisco, and administered by San Francisco Port Commission. Prologis manages and operates the building under a long term ground lease. Prologis is collaborating closely with the Port of San Francisco and the City of San Francisco to proceed with the project.
Prologis worked with Johnson Controls, Inc. to identify a range of energy savings opportunities, including a comprehensive lighting upgrade, HVAC system re-commissioning, and a 200 kW net-metered rooftop solar array. Implementation began in March 2013 with a scheduled duration of 4-5 months. The project is utilizing bill-neutral financing through the San Francisco GreenFinance SF PACE program to fund improvements.
Prologis incorporated the following energy efficiency saving measures:
Lighting upgrade:
HVAC system re-commissioning:
A 200 kW net-metered rooftop solar array:
In addition to reduced energy costs and consumption at Pier 1, this project demonstrates the viability of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, recently available to commercial buildings in San Francisco county as part of the GreenFInanceSF program.
This financing solution reduces up-front capital costs for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and allows costs to be amortized over longer periods (up to 20 years) than is typically available with traditional financing. In this project, the majority of the energy retrofit will be financed through PACE over 20 years, and repaid by Prologis via property taxes on Pier 1.