Prologis: Pier 1

Background

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.

Solutions

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:

  • Upgrade fixtures, ballasts and bulbs
  • Enhance light quality and control
  • Install photocells and occupancy sensors
  • Install LED lighting in selected areas
  • Reduce maintenance of lighting system

HVAC system re-commissioning:

  • Optimize building energy management system
  • Optimize chilled water set-points
  • Install VFD drives on pumps
  • Optimize HW and CHW supply/return temps
  • Repair air-side economizers

A 200 kW net-metered rooftop solar array:

  • Minimize visibility from street
  • Utilizes string inverter design
  • Hybrid mechanically fastened and ballasted to roof
  • Install new white reflective cool roof

Other Benefits

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.

Image Gallery

View of Pier 1 from the bay

View of Pier 1 from the bay

View of Pier 1

View of Pier 1

ANNUAL ENERGY USE

(Source EUI)

kBut/sq. ft.

ENERGY SAVINGS: 32%

ANNUAL ENERGY COST

COST SAVINGS: $98,000