One of the first, and the largest, DHL distribution centers in the Czech Republic, located in Prologis Park Prague-Jirny, is substantially reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. The building, with a storage area of 100,000 m2, now features a completely new heating system using heat pumps, which significantly contributes to enhancing the building’s energy efficiency. In cooperation with its customers and partners, Prologis is implementing state-of-the-art sustainable solutions across all its parks, bringing it closer to its global goal of achieving the net-zero goal by 2040.
The installation of powerful heat pumps is the culmination of a long-term joint project aimed at supporting the building's energy efficiency and overall sustainability. The installation includes four outdoor air-to-water heat pump units, each with a performance of approximately 550 kW, and one indoor unit with a performance of 92 kW, providing heating for office spaces. The installation will limit the building's reliance on gas, which was predominantly used in order to provide heat before the heat pumps were installed.
Heat distribution is carried out via water in the primary circuit, air heaters, and destratifiers, which ensure even heating of the space, improve thermal comfort for employees, and maintain maximum efficiency.
Earlier measures aimed at energy efficiency include the installation of intelligent LED lighting, controlled according to daylight intensity and movement in both the warehouse and administrative areas, sealing of loading docks to minimize energy loss, and irrigation of the surrounding greenery using rainwater captured in underground tanks.
"In recent years, basically every new Prologis building meets the BREEAM certification requirements and includes the latest ecological solutions and technologies. Sustainability and advanced technological solutions, however, do not have to be the privilege of new buildings. On the contrary, they can also be implemented in existing buildings, often without significant disruption to operations. Every year, we invest a significant amount in the renovation and modernization of our buildings, and by installing modern eco-friendly solutions, we are getting closer to achieving our ambitious global net zero goals, which we share with most of our customers. The joint energy efficiency project of the DHL distribution center is a prime example of this," says David Jakeš, Development Director of Prologis for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
"I am very pleased that, in cooperation with our customer and with the building owner, Prologis, we have successfully implemented the ambitious project to minimize the dependence of our largest warehouse on fossil fuels. A key step towards fulfilling our commitment was the launch of the new heating system using heat pumps. However, this is far from the only step. Since 2021, for example, we have been using electric trucks for transport in our facility in Prologis Park, and we are also optimizing all our operational activities with sustainability in mind," says Vladimír Kvítek, Director of the DHL Supply Chain Distribution Center in Jirny.