Galvin launches smart grid rating system with focus on consumer needs

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The Galvin Electricity Initiative has developed a ranking and recognition program for smart microgrid projects intended to encourage innovation in the electricity industry by emphasizing consumer needs. The program, the Perfect Power Seal of Approvalâ„¢, will rank projects based on performance in the key categories of reliability, consumer empowerment, efficiency and environment, and cost.

"The Perfect Power Seal of Approval program establishes much-needed metrics that can empower consumers, businesses, communities and regulators to demand better performance from the power system," said John Kelly, deputy directors of the Galvin Initiative. "By providing a standard set of consumer-focused criteria, we aim to inspire continuous improvements in smart grid projects, as those projects innovate to meet the Seal of Approval criteria over time."

The rating system was developed by the Initiative in collaboration with an advisory committee of professionals in several sectors, such as power distribution, environmental advocacy, utility benchmarking, green buildings and product safety. The program is based on the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification for buildings. The Initiative is working with Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. to train and certify evaluators.

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