On this Independence Day, as we fire up grills and light up the skies, it’s worth reflecting not just on national freedom—but on the kind of freedom that keeps power plants, solar farms, and energy storage projects running smoothly: Independent performance testing.
Yes, we may not make fireworks, but we do make sure your power plant isn’t misfiring.
In the world of utility-scale energy projects, independence means objectivity. It means verifying what was promised is actually being delivered—without bias, spin, or selective screenshots from a SCADA dashboard. That’s where our role comes in: third-party, field-based, spec-compliant testing that confirms real performance, not just modeled expectations.
Here’s why Independent Testing is worth celebrating:
- It protects your investment – Whether you’re an owner, EPC, or financier, independent performance testing provides confidence that your asset is doing what it’s supposed to do. From capacity verification (ASTM E2848), to performance ratio analysis (IEC 61724-2), to thermal output and heat balance testing (ASME PTC 46, PTC 22, and others)—objective, third-party results help ensure contractual guarantees are being met and long-term value is being delivered. We don’t play favorites. We follow the data.
- It supports transparency – Independent results help all parties align: no surprises at final completion, no finger-pointing later. It’s like writing the Declaration of (Performance) Independence—clear, documented, and defensible.
- It can help avoid… indigestion – Because there’s nothing worse than discovering a performance shortfall after the project’s closed and the punch list is cold.
At McHale & Associates, we’ve been “declaring independence” at commissioning sites for over 30 years. From heat rate curves to inverter-level derates, we show up with calibrated instruments, solid procedures, and a few too many extension cords.
So while you enjoy your day off (and we sincerely hope you are), spare a thought for the unsung heroes of independence—the engineers who show up after the ribbon-cutting, grill in one hand, data logger in the other.
Happy 4th of July. Here’s to freedom, truth, and well-documented megawatts.