ISO 37160:2020

Overview

ISO 37160:2020 - Smart community infrastructure: Electric power infrastructure - Measurement methods for the quality of thermal power infrastructure and requirements for plant operations and management - establishes methods to measure and improve the quality of thermal power infrastructure (QTPI) during the operational phase. The standard targets power plant operators (public utilities, independent power producers) and stakeholders aiming to maintain and enhance QTPI in line with the 3E+S energy policy: energy security, environmental conservation, economic efficiency and safety.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 37160:2020 defines evaluation indicators and operational requirements focused on measurable, practical aspects of electric power infrastructure quality:

• Core elements of QTPI

  • Initial operation capability - ability to begin operation as planned.
  • Supply stability - consistent supply when required.
  • Reliability (reliable operation and fast recovery) - minimize forced outages and enable quick recovery.
  • Environmental and social considerations - control of emissions, effluents, noise and community engagement.
  • Safety - monitoring industrial safety accident rates.
  • Life cycle cost (LCC) - LCC assessment that accounts for the other QTPI elements.

• Measurement methods and indicators

  • Availability metrics (available hours, period hours, service hours, EAF)
  • Forced outage rate (FOR) and forced outage hours (FOH)
  • Heat rate and emission rate per unit of output
  • Industrial safety accident rate (per man-hours)
  • Example LCC formula provided (informative Annex A) that integrates the five other QTPI elements

• Operational and management requirements

  • Measurement, data control and analysis procedures
  • Risk and opportunity response
  • Operation control and integrated management practices to maintain and improve QTPI

Applications and who uses it

ISO 37160 is practical for:

• Power plant operators (public utilities, IPPs) implementing quality monitoring and operational best practices.
• Operations & maintenance teams establishing measurement and data-control systems.
• Asset managers and planners evaluating LCC and reliability trade-offs.
• Regulators, consultants and community stakeholders assessing environmental, social and safety performance.
• Organizations applying smart community infrastructure frameworks and pursuing SDGs (affordable clean energy, sustainable cities, climate action).

Use cases include benchmarking plant reliability, designing monitoring programs for forced outage rates, integrating environmental/social KPIs into plant management, and improving life cycle cost assessments.

Related and contextual references

• Prepared by ISO/TC 268 (Sustainable cities and communities).
• Aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7, 11, 13, 14, 15).
• No normative references are listed in the document; it complements broader electric power and environmental management practices.

Keywords: ISO 37160, smart community infrastructure, electric power infrastructure, quality of thermal power infrastructure, QTPI, measurement methods, forced outage rate, life cycle cost, plant operations and management.