NEMA applauds energy usage information standards.

Press Release Summary:



According to Smart Grid Interoperability Panel, a major step toward standardized format for communicating actionable information on energy consumption to U.S. households has been achieved. Acting on plan developed by a priority action plan team of experts convened by SGIP, NAESB has agreed to develop a basic energy usage data model standard, which defines information used to communicate between utilities and the customer, and defines how that information is organized.



Original Press Release:



NEMA Applauds Progress toward Energy Usage Information Standards



ROSSLYN, Va., -A major step toward a standardized format for communicating actionable information on energy consumption to U.S. households has been achieved, according to the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP), a public-private partnership initiated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to speed development of interoperability and cyber security standards for a nationwide "smart" electric power grid.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) applauds the effort.

Acting on a recently completed plan developed by a priority action plan team (PAP) of experts convened by SGIP, the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) has agreed to develop a basic energy usage data model standard, which defines the information used to communicate between utilities (and other sources) and the customer, and defines how that information is organized.

NAESB has committed to complete the standard before the end of 2010. SGIP has designated PAP10 to work with NAESB in an expedited effort to develop the standard,

According to John Caskey, NEMA Power Equipment Division director and SGIP vice chair, this effort is important because it provides more focus to the existing PAP10 team.

"PAP10 can now develop a "seed" energy information model that will be incorporated into other SGIP standards efforts. In addition, the project recognizes the immediate need to develop an expanded energy information model to support the needs of commercial building systems and industrial plants," Caskey said.

Consisting of informational components that are combined together in a data model, the standard will allow utilities and customers to exchange detailed electricity usage and cost information in a consistent format. This will enable consumers to track their electricity usage and to help them decide how to manage their energy consumption-and costs.

"This standard is essential to provide the foundational energy usage data structure for the Smart Grid," stated David Wollman, the NIST lead for the SGIP expert team. "It is needed to empower consumers to more easily monitor and then modify their energy usage and reduce their costs."

The prospective standard is expected to also create opportunities for innovation. With utilities now installing "smart" electric meters in millions of homes and business, established companies and start-ups are developing new products and services tailored to the energy-use behaviors and objectives of consumers. Smart meter technology will enable real-time (or near real-time) communication of energy use, consumption, and other information, such as the quality and the source of the power.

Without a standardized format for organizing and presenting this information, there is the danger that a confusing variety of approaches would emerge leading to incompatibilities among energy management products and services that would reduce gains in energy efficiency and impede other anticipated benefits of the Smart Grid.

Pilot smart meter programs are under way in many states. In California, the Public Utility Commission is requiring utilities to furnish energy use data to customers or customer-designated service providers by the end of 2010.

Under the SGIP-facilitated effort, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers will lead an activity to extend the NAESB model and create a facilities data model that provides additional energy usage data elements for commercial and industrial buildings (such as lighting, heating, air-conditioning and other electrical loads).

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association's Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

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