An updated road map for the smart grid is now available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which recently finished reviewing and incorporating public comments into the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 2.0.
The final version reflects input from a wide range of stakeholder groups, including representatives from trade associations, standards organizations, utilities and industries associated with the power grid.
The draft framework was vetted in advance with the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) and other groups, according to NIST, adding that the document reflects the consensus-based process the SGIP uses to coordinate development of smart grid standards.
Just as its draft version did, the final 2.0 Framework adds 22 standards, specifications and guidelines to the 75 standards NIST recommended in the 1.0 version from January 2010 as being applicable to the smart grid. Further improvements and additions to the 1.0 version include the following:
- a new chapter on the roles of the SGIP;
- an expanded view of the architecture of the smart grid;
- a number of developments related to ensuring cybersecurity for the smart grid, including a risk management framework to provide guidance on security practices;
- a new framework for testing the conformity of devices and systems to be connected to the smart grid;
- information on efforts to coordinate the smart grid standards effort for the U.S. with similar efforts in other parts of the world; and
- an overview of future areas of work, including electromagnetic disturbance and interference, and improvements to SGIP processes.
