The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) supports one of the key roles in the growth of the Smart Grid—bringing together manufacturers, consumers, energy providers, and regulators to develop “Interoperable standards.” In other words, NIST is responsible for making sure the many pieces of “the world’s largest and most complex machine” are able to work together.

Today in the 21st century, NIST is ideally suited for its latest assignment. As outlined in the “The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007” (Public Law 110-140, often referred to as “EISA”), NIST has been given “primary responsibility to coordinate development of a framework that includes protocols and model standards for information management to achieve interoperability of smart grid devices and systems.”

The Smart Grid integrates information technology and advanced communications into the power system in order to:

• Increase system efficiency and cost effectiveness
• Provide customers tools to manage energy use
• Improve reliability, resiliency and power quality
• Enable use of innovative technologies including renewables, storage and electric vehicle