CORP CRR 2024 8.5x11 v10 - Flipbook - Page 28
ENERGY AND CARBON
CONTRIBUTING TO THE RESILIENCY OF OUR CLIMATE
ENVIRONMENTAL
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20 24 CORPORATE RESILIENCY REP ORT
Highwoods is committed to transitioning to a lower carbon
future. This journey began over 20 years ago with the
hiring of engineers who were on the forefront of deploying
microprocessors to closely monitor energy consumption. As
technology advanced, we began benchmarking our energy
performance using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and
created an energy command center to monitor energy usage in
real-time.
We measure our GHG emissions as Scope 1 or 2 emissions. GHG
sources include the on-site combustion of natural gas and fuel
oil for heating and back-up power generation (Scope 1) and
the generation of electricity and district heating and cooling
off-site by local utilities (Scope 2). We utilize the ENERGY STAR
Portfolio Manager online platform to monitor GHGs from our
on-going operations and to track progress towards meeting
our goals. While our properties are not currently in areas with
local building performance mandates, we continue to monitor
150 FAYETTEVILLE | RALEIGH
ENERGY PERFORMANCE
To improve the energy performance of 150 Fayetteville, we
began replacing inefficient HVAC self-contained units (SCUs)
and upgrading the building management system (BMS) in 2024.
To date, we have replaced five SCUs with alternatives that are
35% more efficient and plan to replace nine additional units
by 2026. The modernization of the BMS controls will enable
enhanced control sequences including optimum start/stop,
demand-controlled ventilation (DCV), advanced occupancy
scheduling and will provide thermographic floor plans to
help detect operational deficiencies like air infiltration and
moisture intrusion.
As part of this initiative, we also commissioned the closed-loop
condenser water system, which is estimated to reduce system
energy usage by 80%, representing 600,000 kWh and $70,000
saved annually.
