HIW CRR 2022 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 21
ENERGY AND CARBON
ENERGY COMMAND CENTER
In 2011, we created the Highwoods Energy Command
Center by investing in technologies to centrally
monitor the energy performance of our portfolio and
continuously commission each property. To ensure
this valuable data is acted upon, dedicated corporate
staff monitor building performance in real-time and
collaborate with engineering teams across the portfolio
to take corrective action and eliminate wasteful energy
consumption. The Energy Command Center includes
three data platforms: ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager,
LiveMeter and a Central Building Automation System
Monitoring Station.
REINVEST THE SAVINGS
When investing in energy efficiency technologies,
we act strategically with a long-term focus. Starting
with pilot projects, we test technologies and measure
performance to prove the savings. If a proposed
project meets our ROI criteria, we leverage a capital
investment fund to implement high value sustainable
opportunities across the portfolio. In 2022, we
implemented LED lighting upgrades at three parking
facilities (bringing our parking LED coverage to
over 97%), continued to expand our LED tube retrofit
program across our portfolio, modernized the building
automation system controls of four properties and
continued with phased HVAC equipment upgrades. In
total, we completed an additional $3 million in energy
conservation projects in 2022 that are estimated to
save nearly $1 million annually.
RTU UPGRADES IN NASHVILLE,
RALEIGH AND RICHMOND
Low occupancy during the early stages of
the pandemic provided an opportunity
to upgrade rooftop units (RTUs) to
improve energy efficiency and equipment
controllability. In 2022, we replaced 51
RTUs in Nashville, Raleigh and Richmond
with high efficiency units equipped with
enhanced comfort and outside air controls,
environmentally-friendly refrigerants and
high efficiency MERV 13 air filtration.
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