The ICP Credential System combines the use of the ICP Protocols, existing industry certifications, and third party verification to create Investor Ready Energy Efficiency™ (IREE) projects that provide investors and building owners with a new level of confidence in project engineering, performance, and returns. IREE projects are akin to audited financials and other industry workflows that have paved the way towards securitization and classification by ratings agencies.
The ICP Quality Assurance (QA) process implemented by Credentialed QA Providers is an integral part of the creation of IREE projects and associated increased confidence by project stakeholders. Energy efficiency investors, which can include building owners, energy service companies, finance firms, insurance providers, and utility programs, are exposed to performance risk but often do not have the expertise necessary to evaluate the complex technical details associated with an energy efficiency project. The ICP System requires verification by ICP Credentialed Quality Assurance Providers, who have been vetted by ICP, to ensure that they possess all necessary qualifications and certifications to provide Quality Assurance for a project developed according to the ICP Energy Performance Protocols.
Perhaps the most important facet of this process is that the Credentialed QA Providers must be an independent third-party, with no affiliation to that particular project. This requirement, which eliminates any conflict of interest and ensures objectivity, helps to ensure that IREE certified projects are fully ICP compliant.
The ICP Quality Assurance process and credentialed providers are supported by the ICP Quality Assurance tools consisting of the ICP QA Checklists and the ICP QA Specification.
The ICP QA Checklists are an important component of the ICP System as they form the basis for a step by step review of projects and also serve as the instrument for recording the verification by the ICP Credentialed QA Provider. By verifying the compliance of each checklist item, users can easily verify the completeness of all components and documentation of the project. Once review has been successfully completed, the Quality Assurance Provider completes the QA Checklist by checking each checklist item and then signing the signature block to certify that the requirements of ICP have been met. By signing this ICP QA checklist, the ICP Quality Assurance Provider attests to having reviewed the project development documentation and certifies that the project substantially follows the ICP Energy Performance Protocols and the ICP Project Development Specification. This Quality Assurance review and signature does not constitute a guarantee of energy savings performance, nor does it signify that the reviewer is taking professional responsibility for the required documents and engineering produced by the Credentialed Project Developer. For more complete information please access the QA Checklist page.
The ICP Quality Assurance (QA) Specification represents a comprehensive resource designed to standardize the evaluation criteria and methodologies used by ICP Credentialed QA Providers. It provides essential information regarding the Quality Assurance (QA) Provider’s qualifications and responsibilities, as well as a description of how the ICP QA process integrates with the overall ICP System and development of ICP Investor Ready Energy Efficiency™ projects. The ultimate intent is to provide a framework for QA best practices and resources to enable the implementation of repeatable processes and optimize energy efficiency project risk assessment in order to give building owners and investors more confidence in projected savings and project engineering. For more information and access to the draft document, please access the QA Specification page.
The Quality Assurance Credential credential and associated tools are continue to be developed. We are still seeking feedback from all stakeholders so please contact us directly at [email protected] with feedback.
