Interoperable nan standards: a path to cost-effective smart grid solutions

A truly smart grid will improve the reliability of the overall electrical network, reduce the cost of power distribution, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy consumption, thereby reducing utility bills for end users. All of these advantages of a smart grid will only be fully realized when cost-effective, interoperable solutions are available to utilities and end consumers. Without NAN communication standards to enable interoperability, the full advantages of a smart grid will not be realized. The IEEE 802.15.4e and 802.15.4g standards are a first step in the right direction when the NAN stakeholders were able to work together to standardize the IEEE 802.15.4e and IEEE 802.15.4g standards. The next step is for the stakeholders to work together to specify the interoperable NAN standards from layer 1 to layer 4 with needed security functionalities. This important effort will require significant leadership, wisdom and compromise!