Government releases smart grid framework

A90-page document released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on Sept. 24 proposes 77 standards for smart grid development. The report also detailed 14 areas that the government agency will prioritize in order to facilitate development. Utilities, regulators, and vendors have been waiting for this release from NIST.

October 1, 2009

A90-page document released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on Sept. 24 proposes 77 standards for smart grid development. The report also detailed 14 areas that the government agency will prioritize in order to facilitate development.

Utilities, regulators, and vendors have been waiting for this release from NIST. The report details specific standards that utilities and developers will be expected to meet in their smart grid deployment. The institute will continue working on cyber security standards, which should be released by the end of the year.

NIST began working on a set of standards earlier this year to encourage cohesive smart grid development in the United States. A process that normally could take several years has been compressed into a few months.

Editor’s note – Correction : In the August issue of Consulting-Specifying Engineer, page 32, the Mitsubishi Electric HVAC CITY MULTI variable refrigerant zoning system should state that the system can cool the temperature down to -13 F.