by Jbs052809g3 — June 1, 2009—U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu have announced significant progress that will help expedite development of a nationwide “smart” electric power grid.
A Smart Grid would replace the current, outdated system and employ real-time, two-way communication technologies to allow users to connect directly with power suppliers. The development of the grid will create jobs and spur the development of innovative products that can be exported, according to the Department of Energy.
Once implemented, the Smart Grid is expected to save consumers money and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil by improving efficiency and spurring the use of renewable energy sources. Before it can be constructed, however, there needs to be agreement on standards for the devices that will connect the grid, says DOE.
Locke and Chu recently announced the first set of standards needed for the interoperability and security of the Smart Grid and $10 million in Recovery Act funds provided by DOE to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the development of interoperability standards. DOE is also increasing the maximum award available under the Recovery Act for Smart Grid programs.
The initial batch of 16 NIST-recognized interoperability standards will help ensure that software and hardware components from different vendors will work together seamlessly, while securing the grid against disruptions. The standards span areas ranging from smart customer meters to distributed power generation components to cybersecurity.
Public comments on the initial standards will be accepted for 30 days after their upcoming publication in the Federal Register. The date of publication will be posted on NIST’s Smartgrid Web page. Comments may be submitted to smartgrid@nist.gov.
