• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), after reviewing and incorporating public comments, has released an updated roadmap for the Smart Grid titled “NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 2.0”. According to NIST, Release 2.0 “lays out a plan for transforming the nation's aging electric power system into an interoperable smart grid — a network that will integrate information and communication technologies with the power-delivery infrastructure, enabling two-way flows of energy and communications.” It adds 22 standards, specifications, and guidelines to the standards in Release 1.0 from January 2010. In particular, Release 2.0 includes (1) developments related to cybersecurity, including a Risk Management Framework to provide guidance on security practices, and (2) a new framework for testing the conformity of devices and systems to be connected to the Smart Grid. Release 2.0 is available here.
  • The Michigan Public Service Commission (MI PSC) has opened an investigation into the deployment of smart meters by electric utilities. Noting that consumers and municipalities have expressed concern about smart meters, the MI PSC has ordered all regulated electric utilities to submit information to the MI PSC by March 16, 2012, on a number of issues, including (1) the utility’s existing plans for deployment of smart meters in its service territory, (2) any scientific information known to the utility that bears on the safety of smart meters, and (3) an explanation of the steps that the utility intends to take to safeguard the privacy of the information gathered. Comments are due April 16, 2012. The MI PSC order can be found here.