Smart Grid Takes on Critical Standards Challenges

A smart energy grid, the promise of creating a modern power distribution system that uses the most advanced technologies, may be one of the most complex and technology‐diverse standards development efforts in recent history. Electricity grids are controlled by a network of legacy systems designed to control or operate a specific function or task and they usually do it well. The new goal is to create a modern, or “smart,” electric grid that integrates the management of utilities through an infrastructure that takes advantage of the state‐of‐the‐art information communication technology. From a standards perspective, the Global Smart Grid Federation (GSGF), which works with the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) as well as with other national and international government policymakers to address the challenges of deploying smarter grids, has identified more than 530 different smart grid standards. Whatever the problems and goals, the smart grid is a significant business opportunity.