Getting things together on the smart grid networking front

Worth noting that the IEEE P1901 Working Group – which is working on global standards for powerline networking – has given the thumbs-up to the current draft of the standard.

A final version of the IEEE 1901 powerline networking standard should be available in the third quarter.

This is a big victory for the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, because the standard is, in part, based on HomePlug AV. That means technology that’s out in the market today that uses HomePlug AV will be interoperable with those that use P1901 Powerline Networking. HomePlug will actually get to be the certifying body to ensure that IEEE 1901 devices are truly compliant.

Part of the IEEE P1901 profile will be focused on smart energy/smart grid applications, so those watching smart grid adoption should continue to keep an eye on developments here.

Similarly, they’ll also want to keep tabs on a new collaboration between the IEEE Power & Energy Society and the GridWise Alliance, both of which are pretty heavy into engineering matters associated with the power grid and electric distribution system. The crux of the deal is that the two organizations plan to collaboration on a number of matters including smart grid policy proposals and research projects.