Interoperability Panel, NIST to Develop Smart Grid Standards
December 7, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The panel was established by NIST with the assistance of EnerNex, under a contact enabled by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Starting with an initial membership of more than 370 organizations spread among 22 stakeholder categories, the SGIP has three primary functions:
- Provide technical guidance to facilitate development of standards for the smart grid.
- Specify testing and certification requirements necessary to assess the interoperability smart grid-related equipment, software and services.
- Oversee the performance of activities intended to expedite the development of interoperability and cyber-security specifications by standards development organizations.
The act calls on NIST to coordinate the development of a framework that includes protocols and model standards for information management to achieve interoperability of smart grid devices and systems.
NIST is completing its Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards - Release 1.0, which has undergone public review and comment. The SGIP will help with the road-mapping effort in collaboration with NIST.
In October, the U.S. government announced awards for 100 smart grid projects. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the federal investment of $3.4 billion was matched by $4.7 billion in commitments from project participants.
"The panel will ensure that the perspectives of the many diverse constituencies - from utility to consumer and from appliance manufacturer to wind or solar farm - are represented in decision-making on standards needed to achieve the smart grid vision," said George Arnold, NIST's national coordinator for smart grid interoperability.
"It will provide an open, consensus-based process for stakeholder participation," he said.
The governing board prioritizes the work of the SGIP and it will consult with standards development organizations, user groups and others directly involved in standardization efforts. The board will coordinate necessary resources to carry out finalized SGIP action plans.
Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).