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Codes and Standards

NREL works with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to create consensus standards with participation from industry, utilities, government, and others. These standards 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.

There are two main groups, or families, of standards that NREL works with:

IEEE 1547 Family of Standards

The IEEE 1547 Family of Standards address distributed resources interconnection. The IEEE Standard 1547-2003 is the basis of the IEEE 1547 series and provides a uniform standard for the interconnection of distributed resources by detailing requirements related to interconnection performance, operation, testing, safety, and maintenance.

IEEE Standard 1547 has had a significant effect on how the energy industry does business and will continue to influence the way our electric power systems operate far into the smart grid future. Following on this success, NREL has continued the development of standards in the 1547 family to further encourage distributed resource interconnection.

Graphic showing the IEEE 1547 standards family. Includes the following: IEEE Std 1547–2003 (reaffirmed 2008), IEEE Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. IEEE Std 1547.1–2005, IEEE Standard Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. IEEE Std 1547.2–2008, IEEE Application Guide for IEEE Std 1547, IEEE Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. IEEE Std 1547.3–2007, IEEE Guide for Monitoring, Information Exchange, and Control of Distributed Resources Interconnected with Electric Power Systems. IEEE Std 1547.4–2011, Guide for Design, Operation, and Integration of Distributed Resource Island Systems with Electric Power Systems. IEEE Std 1547.6–2011, Recommended Practice for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems Distribution Secondary Network. IEEE P1547.7, Guide to Conducting Distribution Impact studies for Distributed Resource Interconnection. IEEE P1547.8, Recommended Practice for Establishing Methods and Procedures that Provide Supplemental Support for Implementation Strategies for Expanded Use of IEEE Std 1547.

IEEE 1547 family of standards

IEEE 2030 Family of Standards

Interoperability is one of the biggest challenges facing the Smart Grid. 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. Because the Smart Grid will encompass an extraordinary spectrum of technologies, these must be developed with a common set of interoperability guidelines to ensure compatibility.

The IEEE Std 2030–2011 Guide for Smart Grid Interoperability of Energy Technology and Information Technology Operation With the Electric Power System (EPS), and End-Use Applications and Loads is the root standard of the 2030 series. This standard provides alternative approaches and best practices for achieving smart grid interoperability.

Read more on how Interoperability is Key to Smart Grid Success in NREL's Continuum Magazine.

Graphic showing the IEEE 2030 Smart Grid Interoperability standards family. Includes the following: IEEE Std 2030 – 2011 Guide for Smart Grid Interoperability of Energy Technology and Information Technology Operation with the Electric Power System and End-Use Applications and Loads. IEEE P2030.1 Draft Guide for Electric-Sourced Transportation Infrastructure. IEEE P2030.2 Draft Guide for Energy Storage Systems Interoperability with Electric Power Infrastructure. IEEE P2030.3 Draft Standard for Test Procedures for Electric Energy Storage Equipment and Systems for Electric Power Systems Application. Future Smart Grid Interoperability Standards (TBD).

IEEE 2030 Smart Grid Interoperability family of standards

For more information, see the following NREL publications: