The proposed standard, Guidelines for the assessment and improvement of energy services to users, is intended for use by energy suppliers to measure and assess services with the goal of improving their overall efficiency and effectiveness. Energy services to be covered could include gas, electricity, and hot water district heating systems, as well as distributed fuels and off-grid systems.
The standard would draw on existing relevant customer satisfaction standards, including ISO 10001, ISO 10002, and ISO 10003, and would be similar in structure to the international standard for drinking water and waste water services (ISO 24510, Activities relating to drinking water and wastewater services - Guidelines for the assessment and for the improvement of the service to users).
According to the proposal, two billion people around the globe are without adequate access to energy supply networks. Electricity coverage in sub-Saharan Africa is 23%; in parts of Asia, such as Cambodia, there is only 15% coverage. In developing and transitional economies where established networks do exist, service interruptions, fluctuations in supply, and lengthy delays in repairs can be frequent. The proposed standard would provide best practice guidelines for new networks as well as guidance on improving existing networks. The standard would be applicable to integrated and non-integrated energy supply systems in developed, developing, and transitional economies.
All comments should be sent to Steven P. Cornish, ANSI senior director for international policy ([email protected]) by Friday, April 1, 2011. Feedback received will be reviewed and compiled for the recommended ANSI position and comments, which will then be presented to the ANSI ISO Council (AIC) for formal approval.
Click here to read the COPOLCO proposal.