ITU approves new worldwide smart grid standards
New ITU standards for smart grid have achieved final approval and are now available for download, says the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) December 21, 2011.
The UN ICT agency says it’s ITU-T G.9955 and G.9956 recommendations define the three international next generation narrowband powerline communications (NB-PLC) standards.
“The approved family of standards will enable cost-effective smart grid applications such as distribution automation, diagnostic and fault location, smart metering, demand response, energy management, smart appliances, grid-to-home communications and advanced recharging systems for electric vehicles,” it said.
The approved ITU NB-PLC family of standards includes three separate and self-contained specifications:
– G.hnem: a new NB-PLC technology developed by ITU-T in cooperation with members of the G3-PLC and PRIME Alliances;
– G3-PLC: an established and field-proven NB-PLC technology contributed by members of the G3-PLC Alliance;
– PRIME: an established and field-proven NB-PLC technology contributed by members of the PRIME Alliance
ITU’s Secretary General, Dr Hamadoun Touré, said the statement that “The approved ITU NB-PLC family of international standards will be a fundamental building block for realizing a robust smart grid anywhere in the world, and will allow utilities to start immediate deployment of NB-PLC on a worldwide basis.”
By Ekow Quandzie