Optimising HVAC-R energy management in logistics operations

Since 2018, DHL’s Advanced Regional Center in Singapore has been working with BeeBryte to tackle inefficiencies in its storage system operations. The 90,000 m² warehouse was consuming significant amounts of energy for cooling. The objective for DHL was to further enhance energy efficiency through predictive and adaptive control, rather than traditional reactive methods, while ensuring comfort and meeting operational requirements. Hive Optimal improved DHLs understanding of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems, reduced maintenance response times, and strengthened the resilience of the facilities.

This achievement led to an impressive 37% reduction in annual energy consumption, which translated into financial savings of $600,000 every year, while also contributing to environmental sustainability by preventing the release of 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Singapore ranks among the top three countries globally for per capita energy consumption, largely due to its reliance on imported natural gas, which supplies over 90% of the country’s energy needs.^{1, 2} As a leading global logistics hub, Singapore’s logistics sector is projected to grow by $5 billion by 2025, increasing demand for energy, particularly in warehouses.³ Refrigerated warehouses, for example, use up to 60% of their electricity on cooling, and energy costs can account for a significant portion of operational expenses.⁴

Globally, the warehousing market is projected to reach $1,007.5 billion by 2028, driven by e-commerce.⁵
As the number of warehouses continues to grow, optimising energy use with advanced management systems becomes essential for reducing costs, cutting emissions, and improving operational efficiency.⁶ This is particularly important for Singapore, which has set an ambitious goal of improving energy efficiency by 36% from 2005 levels by 2030, aligning with its broader sustainability and economic objectives.