IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO CONSTRUCT ELECTRICAL GRIDS ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

IF AND UNTIL NEW DEFINITIONS ARE ESTABLISHED, NEW STANDARDS ARE DEVELOPED,

AND THE PLANS FOR NEW ENERGY SOURCES ARE IDENTIFIED. Duane G. Nichols, Ph.D.,

Consultant on Energy and the Environment.

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NIST announces smart grid plan

[www.energyefficiencynews.com/policy/i/2040/]

24 April 2009

The US National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced a three-phase plan to develop key standards for a nationwide smart grid to deliver electricity efficiently, reliably and securely.

A smart grid is a key component of the Obama Administration’s commitment to moving the US toward energy independence and was awarded funds in the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“The smart grid will create jobs and contribute to the national effort to achieve energy independence and facilitate environmental improvements,” says Patrick Gallagher, NIST deputy director.

The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) charges NIST with the “primary responsibility to coordinate development of a framework that includes protocols and model standards for information management to achieve interoperability of smart grid devices and systems”. NIST will combine part of its own appropriation from ARRA with $10 million from the Department of Energy’s ARRA appropriation to carry out these responsibilities.

Interoperability standards are needed to ensure that software and hardware components from different vendors will work together seamlessly, while cyber security standards will protect the multi-system network against natural or human-caused disruptions.

NIST plans to engage utilities, equipment suppliers, consumers, standards developers and other stakeholders to reach a consensus on smart grid standards. It will also launch a formal partnership to facilitate development of additional standards to address remaining gaps and integrate new technologies. The final action will be to develop a plan for testing and certification to ensure that smart grid equipment and systems conform to standards for security and interoperability.

NIST says that by early autumn 2009 it expects to announce the smart grid architecture, interoperability and cyber security standards priorities, an initial set of standards to support implementation and plans to meet remaining standards needs.

For more information:
collaborate.nist.gov/twiki-sggrid/bin/view/SmartGrid/WebHome
www.nist.gov
www.recovery.gov

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NIST and EPRI to develop smart grid roadmap for US

[www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/2010/]

14 April 2009

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) are to work together on an interim roadmap for the development of a smart grid in the US.

As part of the Obama Administration’s energy plans, Congress has given NIST the primary responsibility for coordinating the development of a framework, including protocols and standards, for information management in a smart grid system.

EPRI, which is an independent, nonprofit organization conducting research and development activities on the generation, delivery and use of electricity, will help identify issues and priorities for interoperability standards.

The organization will also engage with the generation and supply industry to build a consensus on smart grid standards.

NIST will develop a three-phase plan to establish standards for a smart grid by the end of the year for submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval.

“The Smart Grid is a cornerstone of national efforts to achieve energy independence, save consumers money and curb greenhouse gas emissions,” commented NIST Deputy Director Patrick Gallagher.

“This contract is a significant step in the urgent effort to identify and develop standards that will ensure a reliable and robust Smart Grid.”

For further information:
www.nist.gov/index.html
www.epri.com/

14 April 2009

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