First SGIP Recognized Test and Certification Program Gets Started by UCAIug

Testing and Certification Program Supports Interoperable Smart Grid

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The UCA International Users Group (UCAIug) announced today that in support of the Smart Grid Testing and Certification Committee (SGTCC) it has completed a preliminary assessment of its IEC 61850 based test program, and has agreed to implement the interoperability test program recommendations of the NIST Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP).  Successful completion of the assessment process is a key milestone in transitioning towards being an SGIP recognized program supporting Smart Grid interoperability.

"The UCAIug is pleased to be one of the first adopters of the SGIP recommendations," said Kay Clinard, UCAIug President. "We found strong value in undergoing the assessment process and believe that implementing the recommendations will further enhance our industry recognized test program for IEC 61850, as well as other UCAIug programs."

The SGTCC developed a criteria and recommendations manual for test and certification authorities, providing a framework to help enable Smart Grid interoperability. Based on industry best practices in testing and certification, the manual provides the essential characteristics required for SGIP recognition of existing industry programs as well as those in the early stages of development. This SGIP initiative is focused on the numerous testing programs that are needed to support the diverse set of priority standards identified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to enable Smart Grid interoperability.

"The SGTCC manual and assessments will help achieve the goal established by NIST to enable Smart Grid systems and devices to successfully interoperate," said Rik Drummond, SGIP governing board member and chairman of the testing and certification committee. "Test programs tend to have a variety of processes. Our framework provides a set of common expectations based on international standards that helps to assure test programs are performed with high quality, consistency, and attention to detail to provide end user confidence in selecting and deploying interoperable Smart Grid products."

Several additional program assessments are also underway by the SGTCC. Test and certification authorities interested in participating in the program may contact Rik Drummond ([email protected]) or Rudi Schubert, SGIP Test and Certification Program Coordinator ([email protected]).

UCA International Users Group, headquartered in Raleigh, NC; is a not-for-profit corporation focused on enabling utility integration through the deployment of open standards by providing a forum in which the various stakeholders in the utility industry can work cooperatively together as members of a common organization to 1) Influence, select, and/or endorse open and public standards appropriate to the utility market based upon the needs of the membership; 2) Specify, develop and/or accredit product/system-testing programs that facilitate the field interoperability of products and systems based upon these standards; and 3) Implement educational and promotional activities that increase awareness and deployment of these standards in the utility industry.  UCAIug supports 3 user communities focused on IEC 61850 via the IEC 61850 Users Group, the Common Information Model (CIM) of IEC 61970/61968 via the CIM Users Group, and advanced metering and demand response via the Open Smart Grid Users Group. For more information on the UCAIug please contact Kay Clinard ([email protected]), President of UCAIug or visit http://ucaiug.org.

About SGIP

The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) is a public-private partnership supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) providing an open process for stakeholders to participate in providing input and cooperating with NIST in the ongoing coordination, revision, acceleration and harmonization of standards development for the Smart Grid. The SGIP members participate in an open process to: provide technical and business guidance resulting in use cases, requirements, and recommended standards; recommend revisions to existing standards; identify gaps in existing standards; coordinate Smart Grid testing and certification programs; and recommend Priority Action Plans (PAPs) for accelerating the standards development and testing and certification of components for the Smart Grid. More information on the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel can be found at: http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid/

Contact: Kay Clinard, 919-847-2241, [email protected]

SOURCE UCA International Users Group