GBCI and India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) announced a collaboration on sustainable power systems in India and Southeast Asia designed to accelerate market transformation of smart grid technologies and sustainable power systems in the region through GBCI’s PEER(Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal) program.

PEER is designed to measure and improve sustainable power system performance. Through PEER certification, power grids have an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage by differentiating their performance, documenting the value produced and demonstrating meaningful outcomes to accelerate transformation of the electricity sector in the marketplace.

“It is critical that we address the reliability and efficiency of our energy systems so that we can continue to grow in a way that is sustainable and resilient,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, COO, USGBC and president, GBCI. “The partnership with ISGF helps us do just that—by building on ISGF’s mission to deploy smart grid technologies in an efficient, cost-effective, innovative and scalable manner in the Indian power sector and GBCI’s speed to market transformation in the energy sector through PEER.”

Reji Kumar Pillai, president of ISGF added, “PEER will be a very valuable tool for benchmarking building complexes and campuses, smart cities and electricity distribution utilities. We will be working with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. for testing and fine-tuning PEER in the Indian context.”

GBCI is the premier organization for independently recognizing excellence in sustainability performance and practice globally. 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.

The Indian government set up ISGF to deploy smart grid technologies; to create a platform for global and regional knowledge exchange; to engage with experts on policy creation; and to conduct research and to make recommendations to the government of India and other relevant decision makers. ISGF advises the Indian government on policies and programs for promotion of smart grids in India, works with national and international agencies in standards development and also help utilities, regulators and the industry in technology selection, training and capacity building.

“PEER is poised to transform the market by stimulating innovation and continually raising the bar on what we can expect from our energy systems—and by extension, strengthening our planet and its people,” added Ramanujam.