IEEE Advances Greenhouse Gas Standards Development with Debut of IEEE P1595™ Working Group

PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IEEE, the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology today announced the launch of the IEEE P1595^TM Working Group (WG). The WG is tasked with developing a new internationally accepted standard for measuring, evaluating, and quantifying Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reductions generated by renewable sources and decreased energy usage. The resulting standard will enable more precise, useful calculations delivering better clarity and adding value to global emissions trading systems that provide economic incentives for emissions reductions.

“IEEE is one of the world’s foremost international standards development organizations, with an unparalleled portfolio of resources, knowledge, and expertise that is applied to a broad range of technologies”

“Market-based attempts to mitigate GHG environmental impacts have stalled in part due to concerns over how emissions are calculated. To a large extent, existing emissions standards have been created discretely in the best interest of traders rather than the companies that must apply them,” said James McConnach, IEEE P1595 Working Group Chair. “IEEE P1595 will facilitate broader acceptance of more useful and accurate measurement of CO2 emissions reductions, bringing greater added value to the technology level rather than focusing on just carbon commodities trading.”

With its broader scope, IEEE P1595 goes beyond typical GHG standards, instead delivering a much more comprehensive, end-to-end lifecycle approach that offers greater tangible benefits to a larger numbers of users. The draft standard will act as a unifying element, bridging the interests of key stakeholders, such as industry, regulatory, and carbon markets. The IEEE P1595 WG’s initial efforts will be split into multiple focus areas – small hydro, wind power, and grid baseline conditions – forming the base framework needed for future development of additional IEEE P1595-based standards. As part of the development of IEEE P1595, the WG will establish methodologies, principles, and performance levels required to ensure maximum accuracy of emissions calculations.

To help manage concurrent development and project groups within each focus area, the IEEE P1595 WG is piloting “The Standards Center”, a web-based software suite provided by Interactive Standards, developed in association with ClimateCHECK, a leader in GHG standards development and co-founder of the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI). The web-based software improves performance and minimizes users’ carbon footprint by reducing the need for travel and on-site meetings.

“IEEE is one of the world’s foremost international standards development organizations, with an unparalleled portfolio of resources, knowledge, and expertise that is applied to a broad range of technologies,” said Judy Gorman, Managing Director, IEEE Standards Association. “IEEE is among a select number of organizations capable of addressing challenging issues like the precise measurement and quantification of emissions reductions. Our mission of ‘advancing technology for humanity’ is well represented as we advance GHG emissions standards and deploy next-generation tools in pursuit of that goal.”

Work on IEEE P1595 is already underway, with final approval expected in Fall 2011. For more information about IEEE P1595 or becoming a member of the IEEE P1595 WG, please visit www.interactivestandards.com/P1595. For more information on The Standards Center or Interactive Standards, please visit www.standardscenter.com or www.interactivestandards.com.

About IEEE Standards Association

The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within the IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 600 standards under development. For information on the IEEE-SA, see: http://standards.ieee.org

About IEEE

IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.