Green future for Transport and Logistics

Investing in a Green Future

In the rapidly changing world of transport and logistics, sustainability is playing an increasingly important role. The shift to generating and storing one’s own energy offers a promising solution for transport companies looking to invest in a green future. For many, this is a necessity as their customers demand a green label from their suppliers to meet their own SDG/ESG goals and reporting requirements.

Challenges in (Self) Generating Energy

One of the biggest challenges in this transition is generating enough energy for the company’s premises and fleet. While solar panels are a popular choice, the generation capacity on the company site is often insufficient, especially for larger fleets. The limited generation capacity, combined with limited storage capacity, means companies cannot always use the generated energy efficiently. Often, companies do not own their business site, necessitating clear agreements with landlords.

Lastly, the capacity of the electricity grid plays a crucial role. For small fleets, this is often not an issue, but for larger fleets, the charging demand can increase significantly. This requires heavy connections and infrastructure upgrades, such as more powerful high-voltage cabins and transformers, which demand substantial investments. Unfortunately, companies like Fluvius currently also face long waiting times for such adjustments.

Environmentally Friendly and Profit Generating

In any case, logistics and transport companies would do well to discover that solar energy and other renewable sources are not only environmentally friendly but also offer economic benefits. There is an attractive business model in generating and storing one’s own energy. By generating energy and using it at the right time or selling it back to the grid, companies can generate profits. Companies can therefore not only reduce their ecological footprint but also optimize their operational costs.

Today, transport companies must also gain more knowledge about the energy sector. This means investing not only in technology but also in expertise. First and foremost, companies must decide whether to manage these activities themselves or outsource them to specialized parties. Some choose to keep this control in-house, which offers more autonomy. However, this approach requires significant investments in both knowledge and infrastructure. Others enter into partnerships with companies that already possess this knowledge.

The Ideal Partner for All Negotiations and Agreements

In any of these cases, DGDM is the ideal partner: we have already assisted many of our clients in successfully guiding such projects. This often involves negotiations and agreements with the owner or landlord of the company site, who may or may not co-invest, agreements with the energy partner, agreements on minimum purchase over a certain period, energy supply agreements, agreements on the use of charging stations, and more.

A Sustainable and More Profitable Future

The future of the transport and logistics sector lies in balancing energy efficiency and sustainability. The transition to generating and storing one’s own energy is not without challenges, but it offers a promising path to a more sustainable and profitable future. DGDM is happy to assist its clients in this journey.

For questions or an appointment, please contact our expert Kris Du Bois.