NIST Releases Draft Report on Smart Grid Interoperability Standards

On September 24, 2009, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke released a draft report (the “Report”) on Smart Grid interoperability standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”).  Through the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, NIST was assigned the primary responsibility for developing a framework to achieve interoperability of the Smart Grid.  The Report from NIST represents the culmination of three public workshops in April, May, and August of this year where more than 1,500 interested parties participated. 

The Report itself provides an accelerated framework to develop the interoperability standards and establish a long-term approach to both evolving standards and testing and certification procedures.  First, the Report includes nearly 80 existing standards that can be used now to help the interconnected systems and devices within the Smart Grid work together.  While NIST initially identified 16 standards by April 2009, subsequent public comments added 31 more standards.  Then, through the workshops, NIST identified 46 additional standards as potentially applicable to the Smart Grid and is seeking further public comment. 

Second, the Report identifies 14 high priority gaps where new or revised standards are necessary.  While a total of 70 gaps were identified through the workshop process, the Report focuses on the 14 most urgent gaps that need to be addressed.  For each of these high priority gaps, NIST has laid out specific timelines and milestones to complete actions plans and address each issue. 

Finally, the Report discusses the critical importance of addressing cyber security.  A task group led by NIST has been put together to develop a cyber security strategy and various related requirements for the Smart Grid.  This group has assessed vulnerabilities, threats, and impacts and has developed a security architecture linked to NIST’s Smart Grid conceptual reference model to tailor their security requirements and provide adequate protection from cyber attacks.  These findings have been summarized and will be released soon. 

The Report will be available for public review and comments for 30 days.  After the comment period ends, NIST will finalize the Report and move on to the second phase of its three-phase approach to developing Smart Grid standards.  The full Report can be found at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/smartgrid_interoperability.pdf.