In an industry first, Australasian real asset manager Dexus is installing commercial-grade storage batteries linked to rooftop solar panels in all new industrial facilities – paving the way for a new industry standard with obvious implications for electric plumbing services.

As part of this initiative, the first tranche of battery infrastructure linked to solar panels is scheduled to be a part of four upcoming industrial projects at Dexus’s Horizon 3023, a 127-hectare master planned industrial estate in Melbourne’s western growth corridor, with the first battery spec build to be completed by late 2024.

Dexus Head of Transactions & Development, Industrial, Chris Mackenzie said: “Our industrial projects prioritise sustainability and efficiency. This battery infrastructure initiative will simultaneously reduce our customers’ carbon footprint and that of our supply chain, while generating significant cost savings for our customers.”

Battery installation in the base build of its industrial facilities will deliver forecast energy cost savings of $4.60 per square metre per year. This represents an average annual $92,000 saving on a typical 20,000 square metre facility and a reduction of 549 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

“As part of our development pipeline, we will implement this initiative across more than 1 million square metres of industrial gross lettable area. This new base build specification has the potential to set a new standard for industrial property developers, highlighting the positive role they can play in providing renewable energy solutions for customers and helping them reach their emission targets, one we hope the rest of the industry will follow,” Mr Mackenzie said.

While the take up of rooftop solar has become more popular in recent years, commercial-grade batteries will double the effectiveness, supplementing power supply overnight, which is incredibly valuable for customers that run 24-hour operations.

“As part of our sustainability strategy, we have developed design standards to ensure the required infrastructure is in place from the beginning. We are empowering our customers to expand their behind-the-meter energy networks in line with their own energy needs.

“We already work with global brands who are on their own ESG journeys, and we are excited to support them,” Mr Mackenzie added.

Dexus Co-Executive General Manager, Infrastructure, Michael Bessell said: “We are excited to leverage the real asset capability of the Dexus platform to deliver this exciting infrastructure initiative across the industrial real estate portfolio.”

Dexus is one of the largest managers of industrial facilities in Australia, with an $11 billion portfolio of premium industrial assets, including industrial estates across Perth (Ascend at Jandakot, 186-hectare estate), Melbourne (Horizon 3023, 130-hectare estate), Brisbane (Hemmant, 13-hectares) and Sydney (Quarry at Greystanes, 69-hectare estate).