New IEEE Standards: Improved Smart Grid Communications and Distribution Automation

IEEE is the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of mankind. The IEEE recently announced the launch of a new standard and three new standard development projects aimed at strengthening the global smart grid communications and distribution automation capabilities.

Former chairman of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA), Dr. W. Charlton Adams Jr. Says: “To give consumers more choices in energy use, to increase the reliability of power generation, to improve distribution methods, and to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy more efficiently, the entire world hopes to achieve these benefits through the development of smart grids. The realization of these benefits depends on the efficient integration of more robust communications and distribution automation systems. The new standards approved by the IEEE Standards Council Committee are designed to strengthen these capabilities and, through these efforts, accelerate the realization of the revolutionary promise of smart grids. ”

IEEE Standards Association has released the IEEE 1591.1-2012-OPGW hardware test and performance standard. Optical fiber composite overhead ground wires have been used in smart grids to provide grounding capabilities for transmission lines, but also to back up communications to practical systems such as data acquisition and monitoring systems. IEEE 1591.1 provides production, test, and procurement specifications for the use of fiber-optic composite overhead ground hardware. The IEEE 1591.1 standard is now available at the IEEE standard store.

The new smart grid standards project passed by the IEEE Standards Association includes:

• IEEE P1909.1 - Smart Grid Communications Equipment Recommendations - Test Methods and Installation Requirements - It specifies that document testing and installation procedures for communications equipment should clearly meet the different areas of the smart grid, such as power generation, transmission, and distribution. The operational procedures and recommendations include safety, electromagnetic compatibility, environmental and mechanical tests, designed to enhance the safety and reliability of smart grid communications equipment.

The IEEE P1703-complements the local area network and wide area network (LAN/WAN) node communication protocol standards for utility industry terminal equipment data sheets - to improve the cost efficiency and flexibility of the Advanced Metering Architecture (AMI) configuration. The standard is being developed to provide plug-and-play, multi-plug outlets for electricity meters, home appliances, communication technology and other ancillary equipment that can be uniformly managed, applicable safety network data, and information transfer.

· IEEE P1854 - Intelligent Configuration Application Software Guide - is in development. It is designed to classify and describe important intelligent configuration applications and fill gaps in the standardized definition of these systems - this guide includes advanced automation and monitoring control data Acquisition system for reliability improvement, power outage management, fault location and management, voltage and reactive volt-ampere management, resource allocation and integration of renewables, demand response, equipment diagnosis and asset management, real-time simulation system optimization, Fine mesh and other application software.

The IEEE Standards Association currently has more than 100 current and ongoing smart grid standards, and is a global leader in smart grid standards development, vision, awareness, and education and training.