California prepares for major smart grid advancements

SUBNET Solutions Inc | Friday, January 06, 2012

America's power sector is on the verge of an unprecedented overhaul that will entail installing systems capable of high levels of intermittent loading from renewable energy sources and will be subject to strict cyber security standards.

To prepare for this change, California utilities Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric have filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission, requesting funds for a five-year study called the "California Energy Systems for the 21st Century."

The plan proposes developing a grid with flexible metrics and standards that would help California's utilities plan and operate the grid when most of the state's electricity would come from sources with very little operating flexibility. Such a goal would build on the efforts started by the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) and other organizations.

In response to the highly interconnected smart grid, NERC established its critical infrastructure protection requirements to heighten cyber security.

SUBNET Solutions Inc. helps utilities comply with such standards by leveraging existing assets of a company, and utilizing established corporate IT policies to meet the stringent regulations. 

Tags: Substation Cyber Security