International District Energy Association and Green Business Certification, Inc. Commit to Enhanced Collaboration on Microgrids/District Energy/CHP

Today, the International District Energy Association (IDEA) and Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI) announced a collaboration to work together and promote more sustainable, efficient and resilient electricity and thermal grids through the Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal (PEER) program. The announcement was made at the 29th Annual IDEA Campus Energy Conference with over 850 people in attendance.

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Signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the International District Energy Association and Green Business Certification, Inc., in front are Rob Thornton, president & CEO, IDEA (left), and David Witek, senior vice president, Finance, Operations & Administration, USGBC. In back are (L to R) Aurel Selezeanu, Duke University; Jim Adams, University of Michigan; Ken Smith, District Energy St. Paul; Tim Griffin, RMF Engineering; Jamie Statter, U.S. Green Building Council; and John Kelly, PEER. (Photo: International District Energy Association)

Administered by GBCI, the PEER program is a comprehensive framework for defining, assessing and verifying the overall sustainable performance of electricity delivery system design and operations. The standards enable project teams to assess their current state, develop strategies for improvement, advance the business case and verify the value of system changes. PEER is also the driving force behind the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) vision to transform power systems and the nation’s first comprehensive, data-driven approach to evaluating and improving power system performance.

“IDEA is pleased to support greater uptake and deployment of PEER by our member systems, especially those exemplary campuses, like The University of Texas at Austin, that feature highly efficient and resilient district energy/combined heat and power systems,” said Rob Thornton, president and CEO of IDEA. “Electricity and energy markets are undergoing a fundamental shift to more distributed power generation away from large remote, inefficient central station generating facilities. PEER will help electricity providers evaluate, optimize and accelerate that transition to cleaner, more reliable energy supply.”

“GBCI and IDEA share the same goals of optimizing energy efficiency and providing safe and reliable energy resources,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and president, GBCI. “Collaborating with IDEA will enable us to develop standards for defining sustainable energy delivery and to expand the PEER program into new markets.”

IDEA is a 107-year-old non-profit industry association representing the interests of nearly 2,100 members around the globe who own, operate and optimize district energy networks, combined heat and power (CHP) systems and microgrids. GBCI, the premier organization independently recognizing excellence in green business industry performance and practice globally, exclusively administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates within the framework of USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.

Considering the impacts and growing frequency of severe weather events, resiliency and energy efficiency have become important considerations in infrastructure development. District energy systems are emerging as a key element for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This agreement is intended to bring a stronger focus to more sustainable and improved economic and environmental performance by electricity grids and district energy systems in communities across North America.

About IDEA

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) was founded in 1909 with the mission to foster the success of its members as leaders in providing reliable, economical, efficient and environmentally-sound district energy services. The association’s membership consists of nearly 2100 representatives from utilities, municipalities, universities, hospitals, military bases, airports, industrial parks and other physical plant systems engaged in supplying thermal energy for heating, cooling and process uses. IDEA also represents engineers, architects, consultants, manufacturers and finance specialists who supply services and equipment for district energy systems. www.districtenergy.org

About GBCI

The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the premier organization independently recognizing excellence in green business industry performance and practice globally. Established in 2008, GBCI exclusively administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates within the framework of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system as well as the PEER standard for power systems, the WELL building standard, the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES®) and the GRESB benchmark, which is used by institutional investors to improve the sustainability performance of the global property sector. Through rigorous certification and credentialing standards, GBCI drives adoption of green business practices, which fosters global competitiveness and enhances environmental performance and human health benefits. GBCI.org.

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