There is a massive public-private effort underway to modernize the electric power grid to enable important advances in energy efficiency, reliability and security.  The catchy term “smart grid” is useful as shorthand for this effort but it is also open to widely varying interpretation.   Consumers, utilities, regulators and other stakeholders are all trying to determine what this transformation means for them and how to strike an appropriate balance between hype and real progress. The SEI, in support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), is working in a variety of areas to support the smart grid.

Smart Grid Maturity Model (SGMM): The SGMM is a management tool that helps utilities plan smart grid implementation, prioritize options, and measure progress.  Developed by utilities for utilities, the model is hosted by the SEI as a resource for industry transformation with the support of the US Department of Energy and input from a broad array of stakeholders. Learn more about the SGMM.

Architecture at all scales: SEI's Research, Technology, and Systems Solutions (RTSS) Program is applying its architecture-centric engineering perspectives to the smart grid, at the level of software, systems, systems-of-systems and Ultra-Large-Scale systems.   More information about these areas can be found at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/architecture/ and http://www.sei.cmu.edu/uls/research/.

Cybersecurity: SEI's CERT Program is addressing cybersecurity challenges of the smart grid by applying its experience in secure coding, resilience management, secure systems, and other areas.  CERT and RTSS are collaborating to develop actionable security guidance for smart grid applications in the form of security profiles. These profiles are primarily oriented to fill the procurement, development, and configuration needs of utilities and vendors. Each profile includes a logical architecture, broad security objectives, and assignment of security controls to roles. This work is part of the Advanced Security Acceleration Project for Smart Grid (ASAP SG), a public-private collaboration. ASAG SG has issued security profiles for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI),  Third-party Data Access, and Distribution Automation. Security profiles are available at the OpenSG users group.

Related Links

smartgrid.gov