| Smart Grid Intiative focusses on next generation of power distribution |
NIST and other government agencies are undertaking a comprehensive series of programs to develop technology and information to enable the rapid transition to the next generation of power distribution through the Smart Grid initiative.
The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF), an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), was awarded $250,000 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for a project to support the development of safety standards for the Smart Grid initiative.
NIST and other government agencies are undertaking a comprehensive series of programs to develop technology and information to enable the rapid transition to the next generation of power distribution through the Smart Grid initiative. This transition has major impacts for the safety of the built infrastructure as it interfaces with the grid through in-building energy storage systems, photovoltaics, metering and control systems, and other safety features. This project aims to ensure that infrastructure safety standards do not serve as an impediment to the implementation of the Smart Grid.
"The pace of implementation of the transition to Smart Grid is different than the typical pace of the standards development process of the electrical safety standards community," said Kathleen Almand, executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation. "This project will support the goal to accelerate interoperable standards development for Smart Grid, while maintaining an overall goal of facilitating its safe integration in the nation's electrical safety infrastructure."
Smart Grid implementation would increase the electrical safety standards |
The Fire Protection Research Foundation plans, manages, and communicates consortium-funded research on a broad range of fire safety issues in collaboration with scientists and laboratories around the world. The Foundation is an affiliate of NFPA.
NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international non-profit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education