Interoperability and the federal role

A smart grid is capable of integrating a broad array of generation resources and enables the participation of demand side resources in reliable system operation. To cost effectively realize this flexibility, the associated devices and systems need to connect and interact simply and reliably. Interoperability is the important ingredient to make this happen. Because the electric system transcends organizational boundaries between generators, electricity delivery companies, end-users, and other service providers, advancing interoperability between these organizations can be difficult to justify by individual organizations. But given the importance of a smart electric system to meet national economic, societal, and environmental objectives, a federal role is taking shape in the United States to improve the integration of automation elements and thus make smart grid a reality.