Grid Interconnection Standards and Codes
NREL staff works with the Institute of Electrical and ElectronÂics Engineers (IEEE) to create consensus standards with participation from industry, utilities, government, and others to guide the integration of renewable and other small electricity generation and storage sources (or "distributed resources," a key aspect of the smart grid) into the electric power system.
Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems
The requirements for interconnecting distributed energy resources with the power grid vary widely among states, municipalities, and even utilities. The lack of uniform installation and interconnection requirements results in technical and economic inefficiencies, interconnection delays, and unnecessary expenses.
Therefore, uniform interconnection standards will be the foundation of future widespread and inexpensive integration of distributed power systems. Activities in this area will determine the minimum standards for the safety and performance of distributed power equipment and interconnection systems. Work thus far has focused on two standards.
IEEE 1547, Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources With Electric Power Systems, provides a uniform standard for the interconnection of distributed resources by detailing requirements related to the performance, operation, testing, safety, and maintenance of interconnection. This standard was approved by the IEEE Standards Board in June 2003.
Learn more about NREL's innovative work on interconnection standards.
Smart Grid Interoperability
Interoperability is one of the biggest challenges facing the Smart Grid as a multitude of technologies and systems will need to securely and effectively "talk" to each other in order to achieve an end-to-end intelligent grid. Given the extraordinary spectrum of technologies that the Smart Grid will encompass, if these Smart Grid technologies and systems are developed independent of a common set of interoperability guidelines, an incompatible grid will result.
NREL leads the development of IEEE P2030 Draft Guide for Smart Grid Interoperability of Energy Technology and Information Technology Operation with the Electric Power System (EPS), and End-Use Applications and Loads, a document that provides guidelines for Smart Grid interoperability and addresses terminology, characteristics, functional performance and evaluation criteria, and the application of engineering principles for Smart Grid interoperability of the electric power system with end-use applications and loads. The guide discusses alternate approaches to good practices for the Smart Grid.
