2012 - IEEE SmartGridComm Symposium on Smart Grid Standards, Test-beds and Field Trials

Under the umbrella of smart grid initiatives in different countries, Electric Utilities are actively looking to add advanced features to their grid including intelligent devices, sensors, and two-way communication capabilities. The addition of these new technologies to existing grid infrastructure is expected to increase efficiency, reliability and situational awareness. In addition, the introduction of smart grid technology and applications is expected to facilitate the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources. Two-way communication of the data and information from the sensors and devices is a key element of smart grid technology The benefits of deploying these devices will not be realized without Power Technologies properly integrating with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The integration of these technologies will only be successful if the new systems are based on the appropriate set of interoperability and related standards.
While Electric Utilities are excited with the capabilities of communication and information technologies, they are also concerned about the fact that two-way communications introduces new potential security vulnerabilities into their systems. For example, unlike the traditional grid, advanced metering systems may be connected to the utilities network via the Internet or via wireless networks that are susceptible to attacks and vulnerable to eavesdropping or spoofing, which can eventually damage safety and reliability of the grid. Therefore it is absolute necessary to protect the networks and guarantee that information is safe and secure.
Smart grids, thus offer new opportunity to improve electric power system operations (e.g. reliability, efficiency, security) and introduce new interoperability challenges that will in turn need new research, standards development, test-beds evaluation and field trials. In addition, some key issues like security or privacy will demand not only standards but also new regulatory frameworks and roles that are in many cases controlled by local, state and public utility commissions. This symposium focuses on all aspects of smart grid Standards, Test-beds and Field Trials, in particular with a ‘horizontal’ view that cuts across the traditional silos and addresses interoperability in the system-of-systems created through smart grid deployment.