Date: January 6, 2013
Publication: Intelligent Utility

Last week, IMS Research reported that less than 20 percent of the 1.4 billion electricity meters in the world could communicate; just a subset are the two-way interval meters on residential homes that have gained notoriety in the United States.Read more

Health-device communications, home networking, mobile video, smart grid-into-home devices and electric vehicles standards, and standards-development projects to be featured

Shuang Yu, Senior Manager, Solutions Marketing
+1 732 981 3424; shuang.yu@ieee.org

PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 3 January 2013 - The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) today announced that it is exhibiting at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, 8-11 January 2013. By showcasing several of its standards, and standards-development projects in health-device communications, home networking, mobile video, smart grid-into-home devices and electric vehicles, the IEEE SA will highlight enabling consumer connectivity through consensus building.

The IEEE SA will exhibit in IEEE Booth 30242 in South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

WHAT:
At 2013 International CES, the IEEE SA will demonstrate how it is enabling consumer connectivity through consensus building by showcasing standards, and standards-development projects in a wide variety of areas, including health-device communications, home networking, mobile video, smart grid-into-home devices and electric vehicles.

Among the features in Booth 30242, the IEEE SA will offer demonstrations of health-device communications based on the IEEE 11073™ family of standards.

WHEN:
CES duration: 8-11 January 2013
IEEE 11073 demonstrations: 9-10 January 2013, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE:
Booth 30242, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 3

WHY:
By bringing industry together to craft interoperable standards for products that consumers crave, the IEEE SA helps foster consumer connectivity. With processes for consensus building that impact the entire standards lifecycle including pre-standards technology exploration, standards development and market implementation, the IEEE SA has an unparalleled track record when it comes to creating the standards that connect people.

As a result of enabling consumer connectivity through consensus building, the IEEE SA supports advancing technology for humanity, helping to improve quality of life, driving innovation, helping to create global markets and protecting health and safety.

Enabling consumer connectivity illustration

Health device illustration

To learn more about IEEE SA, visit us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn or on the Standards Insight Blog.

About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development. For more information visit the IEEE SA Web site.

About IEEE
IEEE, a large, global technical professional organization, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at the IEEE Web site.

Date: January 1, 2013
Publication: Intelligent Utility

The market for smart appliances is filled with questions, according to a webinar devoted to the subject hosted by the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) just prior to the holi-daze. Read more

Date: December 16, 2012
Publication: Intelligent Utility

Expert touts hardening, resiliency as avenue to growth. Read more

Four new updates to IEEE 802® family of standards can be used to implement advanced metering infrastructure and ensure communications network reliability

Shuang Yu, Senior Manager, Solutions Marketing
+1 732 981 3424; shuang.yu@ieee.org

PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 12 December 2012 - IEEE, the world's largest professional organization advancing technology for humanity, today announced updates to four wireless communications technologies in the IEEE 802® family of standards, as well as a new IEEE 802 standards-development project. The new standards support the global utility industry’s needs for smart grid data communications infrastructure and build on the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) portfolio of more than 100 active IEEE standards or standards in development pertaining to the smart grid.

"Utilities can use the IEEE 802 family of broadband wireless communications standards to modernize their communications and networking infrastructure for advanced metering and other smart grid applications," said James Gilb, chair of the IEEE 802.24™ Technical Advisory Group (TAG). "These new updates to the IEEE 802 standards will enable utilities around the world to build the carrier-grade, high-capacity networks they will need to connect the millions of grid components and end-use devices that will operate on smart grids."

The new IEEE 802 standards include the following:

  • IEEE 802.15.4g™-2012– IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks – Part 15.4: Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (LR-WPANs) Amendment 3: Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications for Low-Data-Rate, Wireless, Smart Metering Utility Networks – is a global standard that provides carrier-grade wireless communications connectivity for very large-scale smart metering applications and advanced metering infrastructure used in smart grids. It supports geographically diverse networks with minimal infrastructure that can potentially connect millions of end points. The new standard, an amendment to IEEE 802.15.4™, offers the communications range, robustness and coexistence characteristics required for these types of applications and deployments that fit the general objectives of IEEE 802.15 but were not covered by the existing standard. IEEE 802.15.4g-2012 is available for purchase at the IEEE Standards Store
  • IEEE 802.16™-2012 – IEEE Standard for Air Interface for Broadband Wireless Access Systems. The standard supports worldwide deployment of innovative, cost-effective, interoperable and multi-vendor broadband wireless access (BWA) products, with Ethernet as well as IP interfaces, that utilities can use for machine-to-machine smart grid applications. The standard specifies the air interface, including the medium access control and physical layers (MAC and PHY), of combined fixed and mobile point-to-multipoint BWA systems. The standard updates the WirelessMAN-OFDMA air interface designated by the ITU as IMT-2000. Further enhancement relevant to smart grid applications are provided in IEEE 802.16p™-2012, an amendment providing "Enhancements to Support Machine-to-Machine Applications." IEEE 802.16-2012 is available for purchase at the IEEE Standards Store, and IEEE 802.16p-2012 is available for purchase at the IEEE Standards Store
  • IEEE 802.16.1™-2012 – IEEE Standard for WirelessMAN-Advanced Air Interface for Broadband Wireless Access Systems. The standard provides an enhanced air interface and improved capacity for metropolitan-area networks that utilities can use for smart grid machine-to-machine communications, as well as mobile voice-based applications, with support for Ethernet as well as IP interfaces. IEEE 802.16.1-2012 is a new standalone version of the technology first specified in IEEE 802.16m™-2011 and designated by the ITU as IMT-Advanced. Further enhancement relevant to smart grid applications are provided in IEEE 802.16.1b™-2012, an amendment providing "Enhancements to Support Machine-to-Machine Applications." The new standard is available for purchase at the IEEE Standards Store

In addition, the IEEE-SA has approved development of a new standard that is intended to enable the handover of groups of wireless data connections between different types of networks in a heterogeneous network. Utilities will be able to use the standard to allow large groups of devices to handover from one network to another to ensure continuous connectivity and service reliability if a part of the network loses connectivity. IEEE P802.21d™ – Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Part 21: Media Independent Handover Services Amendment: Multicast Group Management – is intended to amend IEEE 802.21™-2008 by adding support for simultaneous handovers of multiple users. For more information, visit IEEE P802.21d Web page.

To learn more about IEEE-SA, visit us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn or on the Standards Insight Blog

About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together abroad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development. For more information visit the IEEE-SA Web site.

About IEEE
IEEE, a large, global technical professional organization, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at the IEEE Web site

Newly formed collective to act as liaison for other key stakeholders, aid in addressing challenges relating to use of IEEE 802® standards in smart grid applications

Shuang Yu, Senior Manager, Solutions Marketing
+1 732 981 3424; shuang.yu@ieee.org

PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 12 December 2012 - IEEE, the world's largest professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, today announced the formation of the IEEE 802.24™ Smart Grid Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The newly launched entity is a collaborative umbrella organization that works with multiple IEEE 802® working groups (WGs) and will liaise with key smart grid ecosystem stakeholders, such as regulatory agencies, other standards development bodies and industry organizations. The IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid TAG’s goal is to help resolve questions and challenges regarding the use of IEEE 802 standards in smart grid applications.

"IEEE 802 networking standards have achieved near-ubiquitous adoption – they’re essential underlying technologies found in almost every computing device made today, whether it’s a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. These standards are an integral part of the connected world," said Bill Ash, strategic program manager, IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA). "Now with the smart grid’s continued evolution, IEEE 802 standards will also play a fundamental role in critical applications like home automation, advanced metering infrastructures, renewables integration and demand response. The IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid TAG will serve as the ultimate resource for practical information and insight about the use of IEEE 802 standards in the smart grid."

Among the IEEE 802 WGs taking part in the IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid TAG are the IEEE 802.1™ Higher Layer LAN Protocols WG, IEEE 802.3™ Ethernet WG, IEEE 802.11™ Wireless LAN WG, IEEE 802.15™ Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) WG, IEEE 802.16™ Broadband Wireless Access WG, IEEE 802.18™ Radio Regulatory TAG, IEEE 802.21™ Media Independent Handoff WG and IEEE 802.22™ Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRAN) WG. As part of its charter, the group will become an essential link and first point of contact for an array of smart grid constituencies, including policymakers and regulatory bodies, Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) and trade associations, as well as an internal resource for other IEEE societies, groups and committees. Primary responsibilities and activities falling under the IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid TAG’s purview include facilitating coordination and collaboration among IEEE 802 groups and providing conference and event speakers able to address the use of IEEE 802 standards in smart grid applications. Additionally, participants will cooperatively develop a range of materials such as white papers, guidelines and presentations.

"As foundational elements working at the lower layers to connect devices together, IEEE 802 standards are applicable in a wide variety of environments. As a result, they are a natural fit within today’s nascent smart grid ecosystem," said James Gilb, chair, IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid TAG. "IEEE 802 holds nearly unlimited potential for relevance within smart grid applications. By providing needed guidance, expertise and other resources relating to these standards, the IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid TAG will help ensure continued innovation and advancement of the smart grid."

For more information, please visit the IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid TAG Web page.

To learn more about IEEE-SA, visit us on Facebook,  follow us on Twitter,  connect with us on LinkedIn  or on the Standards Insight Blog

About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development. For more information visit the IEEE-SA Web site.

About IEEE
IEEE, a large, global technical professional organization is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at the IEEE Web site

Date: December 2012
Publication: Intelligent Utility

Imagine a day when you can use your smartphone at work or play to control, even orchestrate, the balance of generation and load at your home. Your roofing tiles and siding are made of solar panels and your loads are prioritized by their usefulness at various times of the day. Read more

Date: December 11, 2012
Publication: CIO/INSIGHT

The ability to manage your own energy destiny is one of the great opportunities of the digitized and interactive smart grid—the place where energy, communications and IT unite. Read more

Date: December 2012
Publication: Electric Light & Power

Reliability will be the top priority for grid operators no matter whom or where they serve. From a tree branch that takes out a single home to a complex, multifactor event that cuts power to 700 million people—as a two-day event did in India this past summer—rapid outage detection and speedy restoration play critical roles. Read more

Date: December 10, 2012
Publication: The Energy Collective

Since the inception of the electric utility business in the late 1800s, economies of scale, cost-plus monopoly franchises and a nearly inelastic demand for ever more electricity allowed utilities to pursue a straightforward strategy: build enough capacity and redundancy to ensure reliability and recover the costs plus a reasonable margin. Read more


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