NIST Unveils Plan for Smart Grid Interoperability
An accelerated plan for developing standards to transform the U.S. power distribution system into a secure, more efficient and environmentally friendly Smart Grid and create clean-energy jobs has been recently released.
An accelerated plan for developing standards to transform the U.S. power distribution system into a secure, more efficient and environmentally friendly Smart Grid and create clean-energy jobs has been recently released.
Produced by the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the approximately 90-page document identifies about 80 initial standards that will enable the vast number of interconnected devices and systems that will make up the nationwide Smart Grid to communicate and work with each other.
These standards will support interoperability of all the various pieces of the system—ranging from large utility companies down to individual homes and electronic devices.
The draft report, “NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0,” incorporates input from more than 1,500 industry, government and other stakeholders who have participated in the NIST framework development process.
The Framework draft includes:
- A basic set of standards for interoperability and security, identifying roughly 80 specific standards and specifications to support the Smart Grid;
- The 14 “priority action plans” that describe what is being done immediately to fill important gaps where additional or revised standards are needed. These outline everything from plug-in electric vehicles, to home energy management systems, to distributed intelligence aimed at keeping the grid from developing problems before they arise. Each plan identifies standards organizations responsible for addressing them, a recommended approach and aggressive timelines to develop solutions to these needs;
- A summary of a separate NIST cyber security strategy, which aims to protect the Smart Grid against the modern threat of cyber attack.
When completed, the Smart Grid will employ real-time, two-way digital information and communication technologies in the operation of the nation’s electricity grid. The system would allow consumers to better manage and control their energy use and costs, reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and create clean-energy jobs.
Following the 30-day public review and comment on the draft, NIST will finalize the Framework document, which is the culmination of the first phase of NIST’s three-phase approach to develop Smart Grid standards.
Phase 1, the engagement of stakeholders in a participatory public process to identify applicable standards and gaps in currently available standards and priorities for new standardization activities, ends with the final publication of the Framework report after public comments have been incorporated.
Phase 2 will establish a private-public partnership and forum—a Smart Grid Interoperability Panel—to drive longer-term progress. Phase 3 will develop and implement a framework for testing and certification of how standards are implemented in Smart Grid devices, systems and processes.
NIST is consulting with industry, government and other stakeholders to develop a plan for a testing and certification framework by the end of 2009 and take steps toward implementation in 2010.
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