U.S. report says smart grid necessary to keep America competitive

SUBNET Solutions Inc | Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A new report issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce discusses the exigent need to update the country's electric infrastructure, citing a modernized smart grid as an example of such an endeavor, Smart Grid News reports.

According to the media outlet, the report concedes that "traditional" infrastructure must also be kept up-to-date, but that if the country wishes to remain competitive in the 21st century, an updated smart grid must also be developed.

"As the rest of the world grew more competitive, the U.S. too often allowed itself to coast,"  warned Commerce Secretary John Bryson. "As a result, those economic building blocks have eroded, and with it, so has our ability to compete economically."

According to OilPrice.com, the bundle of benefits offered by the smart grid will need to be supported by stronger cyber security measures. As more utilities implement substation automation and distribution automation technologies, they will need to shift their attention from IT security functions to cyber security solutions that focus on securing control system segments.

SUBNET offers expertise in such substation automation installations, and ensures utilities comply with NERC CIP standards by leveraging existing utility assets without changing current corporate IT policies. 

Tags: Substation Cyber Security Substation Automation & Remote Access