1. NIST Interoperability Framework for the Smart Grid
George W. Arnold, Eng.Sc.D.
National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability
National Institute of Standards and Technology
U.S. Department of Commerce

2. Smart Grid – A U.S. National Priority
“It is the policy of the United States to support the modernization of the Nation's electricity [system]… to achieve…a Smart Grid.” Congress, EISA 2007
“We’ll fund a better, smarter electricity grid and train workers to build it…” President Barack Obama
“To meet the energy challenge and create a 21st century energy economy, we need a 21st century electric grid…” Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
“A smart electricity grid will revolutionize the way we use energy, but we need standards …” Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke

3. Smart Grid: The “Enernet”
2-way flow of electricity and information
Upgrading the grid components and systems with new functionality and communications requires interoperability, and to have interoperability of equipment and systems requires reliable standards and validated performance – a clear role for NIST.
Standards Provide a Critical Foundation
Graphics courtesy of EPRI 3

4. Government Roles in Smart Grid
Federal
Federal
Energy
Regulatory
Commission
Other Federal Agencies
Public Utility Commissions
State

5. NIST Role in Standards for the Smart Grid
Under Title XIII, Section 1305 of EISA, NIST has
“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…”
Congress directed that the framework be “flexible, uniform, and technology neutral”
Use of these standards is a criteria for DoE Smart Grid Investment Grants
Input to FERC and state PUC rulemaking 5 5

6. NIST Smart Grid Framework and Roadmap, Release 1.0
Published January 2010
Extensive public input and review
Smart Grid Vision / Model
75 key standards identified
IEC, IEEE, …
16 Priority Action Plans to fill gaps (one completed)
Includes cyber security strategy
Companion document NISTIR 7628
Conceptual Model

7. The Standards Address…
Demand Response and Consumer Energy Efficiency
Wide Area Situational Awareness
Electric Storage
Electric Transportation
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Distribution Grid Management
Cyber Security
Network Communications

8. Key Standards Under Development
Data standards for customer
energy usage information
Price, schedule, demand response signals for appliance-to-grid communications
Rapid electric vehicle charging

9. Smart Grid Will Use International Standards
ISO/IEC/ITU
IETF
IEEE/SAE/ISA
Global consortia

10. Smart Grid Interoperability Panel
Public-private partnership formed November 2009
Permanent body
Open, transparent process
Coordinates, does not develop standards
Over 580 member organizations
22 stakeholder categories – utilities, renewable power suppliers, electric equipment suppliers, ICT, appliance makers, automation suppliers, standards developers, regulators, venture capital, …
International participation
27 standards bodies including ISO, IEC, ITU-T participating

11. Further Information Web portal: http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid Contact:
George Arnold, National Coordinator
Telephone: