The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently introduced four new standards designed to accelerate the power grid’s flexibility and stability. These standards provide a roadmap to enhance grid stability and accelerate the energy transition by strengthening supply chains and improving grid interoperability and reliability.
The standards are:
Make It American Process Standard. This standard defines an electroindustry internal supply chain evaluation system that should be implemented within a company to determine Build America Buy America (BABA) compliance. BABA defines domestic content requirements for infrastructure projects receiving federal funding. The process standard can provide a framework for companies to assess and document compliance with Buy America requirements or seek waivers as necessary.
Battery Energy Storage Systems Testing and Performance Measurements Standard. This standard helps to manage fluctuations in energy supply and demand by assessing key performance specifications of battery energy storage systems. It establishes testing parameters to enable consistent comparisons across criteria and methodologies, smoothing the transition to renewable energy sources and improving grid reliability and stability.
Microgrid Control Systems Performance Standard. This standard promotes the reliable integration of renewable energy sources into the grid and sets performance guidelines for the way microgrid control systems should operate to ensure they work efficiently and reliably. This includes essential features and performance goals needed for managing energy sources and loads in a microgrid, helping to optimize energy use and maintain stability.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Power Export Permitting Standard. This standard is designed to help accelerate electrification by defining the way power is transferred from electric vehicles back to the grid through defining characteristics in key domains, including communications and cybersecurity.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.?
