Entering the 21st century, a broad consensus has been reached to develop low-carbon economy, promote ecological civilization, and realize sustainable development. As a result, the global energy development pattern is experiencing substantial changes, and a new round of energy revolution has unveiled.

This revolution focuses on developing clean energy, protecting energy safety and addressing environmental problems. As a significant part in energy supply, power grid is vital for the development of clean energy, and its development pattern is faced with notable challenges. A large amount of research and practice have been done in the world. As a result, the concept of smart grid takes shape and smart grid becomes a common path for the world power industry to address future challenges.

In 2009, SGCC started the research on smart grid standard framework. A special working group consisting of over 180 experts was set up. Many of them are from China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI), a fully-owned subsidiary of SGCC. Based on smart grid demonstration projects and after reviewing thousands of standards, 781 existing international standards and 769 existing domestic standards were intensively studied. The requirement of smart grid and its gap with existing standards was clearly identified. Incorporating from various stakeholders, SGCC Research Report on Smart Grid Standard Framework and Roadmap was completed and released.

The report expounds the formulating principles, concept model and overall structure of the standard framework, and puts forward a smart grid standard framework and roadmap suitable for China’s national characteristics. It consists of 8 domains, 26 technical fields and 92 series of standards. The 8 domains include overall planning, power generation, transmission, substation, distribution, utilization, dispatching, and ICT. This framework is subject to amendment based on the future requirements for smart grid construction and technological development.

Smart Grid Standard Framework and Roadmap serves as the guideline for SGCC to develop corporate smart grid standards, as well as important reference for industrial, national and international standards. Thus, SGCC will develop corporate standards accordingly, actively participate in the formation of industrial and national standardsin China, and make contribution to international standardization.