Logistics and distribution centre · Electricity
Electricity in logistics and distribution centre: what the SRI measures
This domain covers the building's electricity management: batteries, solar panels, shifting consumption to cheap hours, reporting to users and responding to grid signals. It is the core of energy flexibility.
In short
- 1This page shows how the Smart Readiness Indicator assesses the Electricity domain in logistics centers and distribution halls.
- 2This domain carries maximum weight here, at 3 out of 3 points, because generation, storage and charging are central.
- 3Services E-2 through E-12 demonstrate which automation levels are possible, from simple metering to full control based on grid signals.
Weight of this domain for this building type
Which services count
| Service | Lowest level | Highest level | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting information regarding local electricity generation E-2 · A · 5 levels | None | Performance evaluation including forecasting and/or benchmarking; also including predictive management and fault detection | highest level |
| Storage of (locally generated) electricity E-3 · A · 5 levels | None | On site storage of energy (e.g. electric battery or thermal storage) with controller optimising the use of locally generated electricity and possibility to feed back into the grid | highest level |
| Optimizing self-consumption of locally generated electricity E-4 · 4 levels | None | Automated management of local electricity consumption based on current and predicted energy needs and renewable energy availability | – |
| Control of combined heat and power plant (CHP) E-5 · 3 levels | CHP control based on scheduled runtime management and/or current heat energy demand | CHP runtime control influenced by the fluctuating availability of RES and grid signals; dynamic charging and runtime control to optimise self-consumption of renewables | – |
| Support of (micro)grid operation modes E-8 · 4 levels | None | Automated management of (building-level) electricity consumption and supply, with potential to continue limited off-grid operation (island mode) | – |
| Reporting information regarding energy storage E-11 · A · 5 levels | None | Performance evaluation including forecasting and/or benchmarking; also including predictive management and fault detection | highest level |
| Reporting information regarding electricity consumption E-12 · A · 5 levels | None | Real-time feedback or benchmarking on appliance level with automated personalized recommendations | highest level |
Worked example
If everything in this domain is at level 0, the domain contributes nothing. At the highest level for all services, the indicative total score for this building type rises by about 4 percentage points (from 33 to 37 percent, with all other domains at level 1).
Why does electricity count so heavily in distribution centers?
A logistics center has large roof areas, minimal staff, and growing demand for electric truck charging points. This makes the Electricity domain (E) within the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) decisive here. This domain covers generation, storage, consumption, and how a building responds to signals from the electricity grid.
For this building type, the domain receives the maximum weighting factor of 3 out of 3. This means that performance in this area carries substantial weight in the building's final SRI score and class.
Which services are assessed?
The methodology uses functionality levels from 0 to 4 for each smart-ready service. For logistics centers, the following services are relevant.
- E-2, local generation reporting: from no data to predictive management with fault detection for solar panels.
- E-3, electricity storage: from a simple battery to a controller enabling feed-back to the grid.
- E-4, own consumption optimization: from time-based scheduling to automated management based on predicted energy needs.
- E-5, combined heat and power control: relevant if the building has a CHP installation, with dynamic alignment to renewable generation.
- E-8, microgrid mode support: from grid-driven consumption to supply to neighboring buildings or islanded operation.
- E-11, energy storage reporting: from current charge status to predictive management.
- E-12, electricity consumption reporting: from building level to device level with personal recommendations.
What does this mean for the grid connection?
In many distribution centers, the grid connection is the limiting factor, not roof area. Services like E-3 and E-8 show whether a building can combine its own generation with smart charging without overloading the connection.
A high score on these services demonstrates that the building can shift energy to times with lower grid load or lower prices.
What this means for you
- Owner
- As owner of a distribution center, it pays to invest in metering and control systems for solar panels, battery storage, and charging points, since this domain carries substantial weight in the SRI score. A higher class also supports the business case for own generation and smart charging of electric transport.
- Tenant
- As tenant, you will primarily notice the effect on your energy bill, for example through lower costs when the building shifts consumption to hours with cheap or locally generated electricity. The availability and speed of charging points for electric vehicles also depend on the level of these services.
- Advisor
- When assessing, pay attention to the presence of battery storage, the link between solar panels and consumption control, and whether the building can respond to grid signals. Also check whether charging infrastructure for trucks has been included in services E-3, E-4 and E-8, as this often makes the difference between classes.
Next step
Want to know where your building stands?