IEEE Researcher John McDonald Gives Testimony on Advancement of Standards Development and Cyber Security for Smart Grid

IEEE, the world's leading professional association for the improvement of technology, today announced that John McDonald, IEEE Fellow and Director of Technical Strategy and Policy Development for GE’s Digital Energy business gave witness on the progress of standards for Smart Grid interoperability and cyber security before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, House Committee on Science and Technology. Held July 01, 2010, the investigation was entitled Smart Grid Architecture and Standards Assessing Coordination and Progress.

The purpose of the inquiry was to review the efforts of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate the development of standards for Smart Grid technologies. The hearing examined the status of the standards development process and focused on whether the current efforts are meeting the needs of stakeholders and are advancing national Smart Grid efforts. Mr. McDonald’s testimony addressed key issues such as:

• The skill of the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel in coordinating tasks for the standards development process and assembly stakeholder input, as well as the policies and events currently in place to ensure private stakeholder buy-in and adoption of the standards that appear from the process.

• Which standards are currently existing to achieve interoperability of Smart Grid technologies and the top standard-related priorities for advancing their deployment

During the hearing, Mr. McDonald and four other leading Smart Grid experts addressed a range of important issues including testing & certification, cyber security and privacy matters, in addition to standards.