• The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), an official European Standards Organization, has recently published two Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP) specifications that it hopes will drive the development and deployment of open, interoperable smart grid technologies internationally. They provide technical specifications for the use of powerline telecommunications, which designates a high-performance narrow band powerline channel that can be used with multiple smart grid devices. More information regarding the OSGP specifications can be found here.
  • On January 12, 2012, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MI PSC) issued an order opening an investigation into the deployment of smart meters by electric utilities. Noting that consumers and municipalities have expressed concern about smart meters, the Order directs 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 order can be found here.
  • Applications for the Department of Energy (DOE) “Smart Grid Data Access” Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) are due March 1, 2012. DOE will provide up to $8 million to promote partnerships between utilities and third-party technology innovators for the development and implementation of applications that provide access to electricity consumption data. More information is available here