Criteria & Metrics

The Perfect Power Institute is developing a performance assessment and design system for the grid that seeks to arm electricity professionals with key performance metrics, design considerations, and examples of best practices that will enable innovation and improvement. Launched in beta form in Spring 2011 as the Perfect Power Seal of Approval™ (PPSoA), the metrics are currently being updated by the Institute and the program will re-launch toward the end of 2012.

This program is an opportunity for power systems to gain competitive advantage by differentiating their performances and demonstrating meaningful outcomes. In the process, the metrics serve as a tool to accelerate transformation in the marketplace. 

By looking at power systems across four key consumer-focused categories — Reliability, Cost, Efficiency and Environment, and Consumer Empowerment — these metrics allows all stakeholders to both evaluate and set the standard for system performance that best meets customers’ needs.

RELIABILITY
The Reliability metrics are meant to ensure that quality and safety are not compromised in the quest for cheaper energy. High marks are awarded to those projects that maximize safety, reliability and power quality, while minimizing power interruptions. The biggest factor in the Reliability category is the length and frequency of interruptions to the system. To earn Reliability recognition, projects need to track and trend safety incidents, keep outages (duration and frequency) significantly below the national average, and track and trend power quality fluctuations and momentary outages.

COST
Consumers demand high-quality service at affordable rates. The Cost metrics create subsets of cost codes that would more specifically and accurately reveal waste and opportunities to invest more effectively. The highest scoring projects are those that keep consumer costs below regional averages, track and trend each link in the cost chain (generation, distribution, operations, upgrades, repairs, outage impact and investment planning) and means for leveraging resources provided by local governments.

EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENT
The Efficiency and Environment category awards points for exceptional performance in air emissions, water consumption, solid waste, local grid environmental impacts and energy efficiency. To earn Efficiency and Environment recognition, projects will need to maximize power generation efficiency and minimize environmental impacts, including carbon, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and solid waste emissions, as well as water consumption to local emissions impacts.

CONSUMER EMPOWERMENT
The Consumer Empowerment metrics measure the effectiveness of a particular microgrid in allowing consumer choice, participation and protection. These metrics asses: 1) information transparency; 2) tools and incentives to value participation and protect consumers; and 3) local action, impact and community empowerment. To earn a Consumer recognition, projects need to score well in each of these areas.