Environmental Stewardship

Case Study

Customers in Spain Demand Environmentally Advanced Facilities

[EN26] ProLogis' approach to development at its industrial park in Zaragoza, Spain, was to create a strategic location for distribution while also providing a turn-key sustainable solution. Today, ProLogis properties in Zaragoza comprises two facilities totaling 1.37 million square feet, both of which were completed as build-to-suit projects and are fully leased.

Our objectives during the design and construction process at both facilities focused on reducing water consumption, increasing energy efficiency, recycling construction waste and creating a positive work environment. As a result, both facilities were constructed using a variety of sustainable design techniques and are now among the most environmentally advanced industrial facilities in the country.

The first distribution center, completed in early 2008 and leased to ARC International, utilizes (1) skylights clerestory windows that increase interior daylight; a laminated-wood (2) roof structure frame, (1) energy-efficient lighting systems, (3) roof-mounted solar panels that generate electricity and heat water. The second distribution center, which will be completed in early 2010 and is leased to Bosch-Siemens Home Appliances, utilizes the same features as the first distribution center and also has direct access to rail.

Both facilities benefit from low-maintenance and water-efficient landscaping, a rainwater retention basin for irrigation and use in the toilets which are low-flush to reduce water usage, motion-activated faucets, covered parking for eco-friendly cars and free power outlets for electrical vehicles. We also prepared an Environmental Users Manual for the occupiers of the buildings.

We recently completed a study on the energy and carbon savings at the facility leased to ARC. ProLogis achieved a 70% reduction in operational emissions based on U.K. environmental standards for distribution facilities and a more than 70% reduction in operational energy when compared to a typical building. Over a 25-year period, the facilities are expected to achieve a 55% reduction in operational energy usage. The sustainable cost savings are estimated at 148,000 Euro per year.

©2009 ProLogis

The optimization of skylights and clerestory windows can generate savings of nearly 50 percent compared with artificial lighting, while energy efficient lighting systems minimize energy usage up to 40 percent less than a standard system. This results in savings on power consumption, carbon emissions and running and maintenance costs.
The laminated wood roof structure, which is renewable, was procured from well-managed and forest stewardship certified sources. It has lower embodied carbon compared to steel/concrete-made elements and has better fire resistance than steel.
The energy produced by the roof mounted solar panels flows directly into the utility grid. The total yearly output is about 120,000 kWh, which is equivalent to nearly 10 percent of the building’s energy needs, and represents savings of 52 tons on carbon emissions.