NIST has created a forum to discuss the impact of electromagnetic compatibility and interference on the operation of the smart grid. The agency states that electromagnetic disturbances and interference are two of the “…major standards-related issues and barriers impacting standardization efforts and progress toward a fully operational Smart Grid.” This forum is intended to start the discussion of how to ensure that the appropriate standards are specified or developed and then applied to ensure the Smart Grid systems are resistant to harmful electromagnetic events and at the same time do not cause interference to other systems. The site can be accessed here.

The agency is concerned with the possible interference phenomenon include events like switching and fast transients, electrostatic discharge, power quality issues, lightning bursts, radio frequency interference, and the infrequent (but potentially catastrophic) events including severe solar (geomagnetic) storms and Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI) threats such as High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP). Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) within the Smart Grid systems and to the external environment along with immunity to natural and man-made threats must be systematically addressed for reliable operation of the Smart Grid.

Also, immunity to interference, coexistence with other devices, and fault-tolerance should be considered early in the design of Smart Grid systems to avoid costly remedies and redesigns after the systems are widely deployed. The introduction of wireless data communications technologies on a wide scale throughout the Smart Grid and their possible interference and coexistence problems are being addressed in PAP 02. The identification of performance parameters related to the radio frequency interference and coexistence of each wireless technology are included in the matrix of characteristics. Since the Smart Grid components are so diverse there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, hence a range of standards specific to particular environments or devices is anticipated. The criteria for smart appliances in the home will be quite different from systems located in substations or industrial facilities. Many of the EMC specifications and requirements already exist in various standards. The task ahead is to identify appropriate existing standards that are or should be applied to the Smart Grid and to identify potential areas that need standards development.