Open, Standard, Direct-Access Communications Interfaces

摘要

Utilities have decades of experience in supervisory control, data acquisition systems and load controls that historically worked with a limited number of devices. Now, because of the ubiquity of wireless communications and the rise of inexpensive communications-enabled sensors, there is impressive growth in the types of devices that could play a part in utility and aggregator programs to provide grid support. These programs are critical to ensuring safe, reliable, and resilient grid operations. They enable renewable energy, shift and reduce loads, provide reactive power support, and help ride through power fluctuations. But there are stranded investment risks if utilities, manufacturers, and consumers make communications interface choices that are not open, standard, and supportive of direct access.