Logistics and distribution centre · Heating
Heating in logistics and distribution centre: what the SRI measures
The heating domain looks at how smartly a building controls its heat: per room or centrally, based on occupancy and outdoor temperature, and whether the boiler or heat pump follows demand. Heat storage and fault reporting are part of it too.
In short
- 1This page shows how heating operates intelligently in a logistics and distribution centre, according to the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI).
- 2The heating domain carries significant weight for this building type: two of three points in the weighting.
- 3Large halls with limited heating demand often score low, while electricity and charging infrastructure deserve attention instead.
Weight of this domain for this building type
Which services count
| Service | Lowest level | Highest level | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat emission control H-1a · A · 5 levels | No automatic control | Individual room control with communication and occupancy detection | level 2 or higher |
| Emission control for TABS (heating mode) H-1b · 4 levels | No automatic control | Advanced central automatic control with intermittent operation and/or room temperature feedback control | – |
| Storage and shifting of thermal energy H-1c · A · 3 levels | None | HW storage vessels controlled based on external signals (from BACS or grid) | level 2 or higher |
| Control of distribution pumps in networks H-1d · 5 levels | No automatic control | Variable speed pump control (external demand signal) | – |
| Thermal Energy Storage (TES) for building heating (excluding TABS) H-1f · 4 levels | Continuous storage operation | Heat storage capable of flexible control through grid signals (e.g. DSM) | – |
| Heat generator control (all except heat pumps) H-2a · A · 3 levels | Constant temperature control | Variable temperature control depending on the load (e.g. depending on supply water temperature set point) | level 2 or higher |
| Heat generator control (for heat pumps) H-2b · A · 4 levels | On/Off-control of heat generator | Variable control of heat generator capacity depending on the load AND external signals from grid | level 2 or higher |
| Sequencing in case of different heat generators H-2d · 5 levels | Priorities only based on running time | Control according to dynamic priority list (based on current AND predicted load, energy efficiency, carbon emissions, capacity of generators AND external signals from grid) | – |
| Report information regarding heating system performance H-3 · A · 5 levels | None | Central or remote reporting of performance evaluation including forecasting and/or benchmarking; also including predictive management and fault detection | level 2 or higher |
| Flexibility and grid interaction H-4 · 5 levels | No automatic control | Optimized control of heating system based on local predictions and grid signals (e.g. through model predictive control) | – |
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 31 percentage points (from 22 to 53 percent, with all other domains at level 1).
Why does heating carry such heavy weight in this building type?
The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) is a European method that measures how intelligently a building's technical systems operate. For a logistics and distribution centre, the heating domain receives a weighting of two out of three points. This may seem high for building types where heat does not play the leading role.
The reason lies in the methodology itself: the weighting reflects the importance of a domain for energy use and comfort in this type of building, not only the size of the installation. Large halls with few occupants often have limited heating systems, which tends to keep the functionality level relatively low.
Which smart-ready services fall under this domain?
The heating domain (H) contains nine smart-ready services, from control of heat output to flexibility and interaction with the grid. Each service has functionality levels from 0 to 4, where a higher level means more automation and communication.
- Control of heat output per room or centrally (H-1a and H-1b)
- Storage and shifting of thermal energy (H-1c and H-1f)
- Control of pumps and heat generators (H-1d, H-2a, H-2b)
- Sequencing among multiple generators (H-2d)
- Reporting of performance and flexibility towards the grid (H-3 and H-4)
In a distribution centre, the focus typically lies on a straightforward system: central heating of the hall, limited individual room control and minimal thermal storage. This restricts the maximum achievable level on various services.
What does this mean for the building's score?
A building with basic control only, without communication between controllers and without connection to the building management system (BMS), scores low on most services in this domain. That lowers the overall Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) score, even if this is not the most visible issue in the hall.
To improve the score, consider flexibility and grid interaction (H-4). Heating systems that can respond to signals from the electricity grid fit well with a building that is investing anyway in renewable generation and charging infrastructure.
What this means for you
- Owner
- Include the heating system in your plans for renewable generation and smart charging, as the domain carries significant weight in this building type's score. A modest investment in control technology, such as connection to the building management system (BMS), can noticeably improve the building's Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI).
- Tenant
- As a tenant, you will notice little of the heating domain itself, since the hall is typically heated at a basic level. You benefit indirectly, however, if the system can respond flexibly to the grid, as that keeps energy costs and grid connection manageable.
- Advisor
- When assessing, pay attention to the difference between method A and method B, and verify whether the installation falls above the 290 kW threshold that is relevant for future obligation. Focus especially on services H-2d and H-4, as sequencing among generators and grid interaction are often underutilised in this building type.
Next step
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