The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to begin development of a smart grid interoperability roadmap for the electricity sector. The ultimate goal of this effort will be to provide a framework that will assist with the modernization of the U.S. T&D (Transmission & Distribution) system. Under terms of this contract, EPRI will develop the interim roadmap that "has consensus support of utility industry, independent system operators, manufacturers, standards development organizations, state regulators and consumer representatives."
The development of this interim roadmap is to serve as a major step toward defining interoperability standards for the Smart Grid. The interim roadmap will inventory existing standards, identify any gaps and list priorities for either reconciling differences between current standards or advocate the development of entirely new standards. The 2007 EISA (Energy Independence and Security Act) assigned NIST primary responsibility to coordinate the development of a framework that would include “protocols and model standards for information management to achieve interoperability of smart grid devices and systems.” EPRI’s interim roadmap is scheduled for completion by early summer 2009.
