NEMA CEO explains smart-grid standards save time and money.

Press Release Summary:



NEMA President, CEO Evan Gaddis, testified to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 3, 2009 as to the status of and obstacles to smart-grid implementation for electric manufacturing. While Gaddis said technologies are available today that are not being deployed due to uncertainty over cost recovery and standards, he also offered a look-before-you-leap mentality, saying "If we get grid standards in place before we start building, we will save time and money."



Original Press Release:



NEMA CEO Tells Congress that Smart-Grid Standards Save Time and Money



( Rosslyn, Va.) March 3, 2008 - NEMA President CEO Evan Gaddis joined federal agency heads and industry representatives in testimony to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 3, 2009. Speaking on behalf of the electric manufacturing sector, Gaddis addressed the status of and obstacles to smart-grid implementation. Of particular interest to the committee are the steps the agencies have taken to fulfill smart-grid mandates outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Gaddis told the committee that technologies available today were not being deployed because of uncertainty over cost recovery and standards. "If we get grid standards in place before we start building, we will save time and money," Gaddis said.

Gaddis presented a framework for priority standards development, including agreement on time, location, and power measurement. He also noted that the standards development organizations (SDO) had the capability to develop industry consensus quickly, and recommended that accredited SDOs be directed to accelerate critical standards development.

"NEMA and our member companies stand ready to deliver the standards that will make the smart grid a national reality," Gaddis said.

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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