NIST Unveils Initial Smart Grid Interoperability Standards

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Thursday released a draft report on the Smart Grid interoperability standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The report is actually an accelerated framework for continued development of the standards. It includes roughly 80 initial standards intended to make the vast array of interconnected systems and devices that comprise the Smart Grid work together to provide a secure, efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly national electric grid.

It also includes 14 "priority action plans" that detail what is being done now to fill the gaps where additional or revised standards are necessary. The action plans address a variety of Smart Grid components such as plug-in electric vehicles, home energy management systems, smart meter upgrades, communications system guidelines and distributed intelligence, which will allow the grid to prevent problems before they occur.

"To use an analogy from the construction world, this report is like a designer's first detailed drawing of a complex structure," Locke said during his announcement. "It presents a high-level conceptual model to ensure that everyone is on the same page before moving forward to develop more detailed, formal Smart Grid architectures," he added.

George Arnold, NIST's National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, commented that the urgent need to upgrade the grid into a modern power distribution system required an accelerated timetable to establish the standards.

The draft will be available for 30 days for public review and comment. Following the comment period, NIST will complete the first phase of its three-phase approach to developing the standards which will be the release of the final document titled NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0.

Phase 2 will set up a private-public partnership and forum, described as a Smart Grid interoperability panel, to steer continued efforts over the long term. Recovery Act funds will be used to establish the panel by the end of 2009. Phase 3 will include development and implementation of a system for testing and certifying how the standards are implemented in Smart Grid equipment, processes and systems.

The report is the result of participation from more than 1,500 industry, government and other interested parties that contributed to the development of the standards framework.

   Quick Take: Looks like the train's right on time. Considering the inevitable delays that earlier hampered DOE efforts to get stimulus funds out the door, NIST's accelerated timetable does indeed underscore the sense of urgency and purpose needed to develop comprehensive, well-conceived and thorough standards to ensure the interoperability and success of the Smart Grid.

   New York Times article

   NIST news release

   NIST draft report (pdf)

   SGN Standards channel