Yesterday, as a new member of the Communications, Marketing and Education Working Group (CMEWG), I attended my first Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (“SGIP”) face-to-face meeting. Over the course of the three-day event, there will be over 200 people in attendance in person and countless others dialing in for committee meetings, all working to help make the smart grid a reality. There were too many great things about the day to pick just one highlight, so here are three:
- Presentation by Dr. Fan of the State Grid Corporation of China – It was interesting to hear about the efforts being made to make China’s grid smarter.
- Introduction of a TV crew from Japan – Plans to create a primetime TV documentary about the smart grid were well underway prior to the earthquake. However, the director underscored the importance of creating a smarter grid and how as they rebuild, it will be of even greater significance. As he put it, “3-11 changed everything.” I could not help but think, “Just like 9-11 for us.”
- Attending the SGIP Bootcamp – This session provided a great nuts and bolts overview of the SGIP, its purpose and how to get involved.
So what is the SGIP?
The SGIP was created in late 2009 as a public-private partnership dedicated to the interoperability of smart grid devices and systems – from home appliances to electric vehicles to wind farms to transmission substations. The SGIP acts as the central coordination point, providing guidance, identifying what work is needed and who should do it. Although the SGIP does not actually develop interoperability standards, it does identify, prioritize and suggest new and emerging requirements for smart grid standards. Work is done by working groups in a collaborative and open atmosphere. Groups range from Cyber Security to Business and Policy and more than 600 organizations are members. With 22 stakeholder categories, the SGIP has a place for just about anyone wanting to be engaged in this important process.
Go to http://www.SGIPweb.org for more details about SGIP and to learn how your organization can become involved. Maybe I will see you at the next face-to-face meeting.