NEMA and ASHRAE Develop Smart Grid Standard and User’s Manual

June 22, 2016

ANSI/ASHRAE/NEMA Standard 201-2016, Facility Smart Grid Information Model, provides a common basis for electrical energy consumers to describe, manage and communicate electrical energy consumptions and forecasts, enabling a two-way flow of information.

The standard provides a way to model real building systems as a combination of four abstract components: loads, generators, meters, and energy managers. It is packaged with a user’s manual.

“The technologies that are enabling high performance buildings are evolving at a fever pitch and the need for a common model for communication of energy data is essential,” says Robert Hick, Vice President Engineering for Leviton Manufacturing and Co-Vice Chair of the Standard 201P committee representing NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association). “Adherence to this standard will insure interoperability of energy systems within all types of buildings and compatibility with the smart grid for current and future technologies.”

A ballot has been initiated to approve Standard 201 as an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard, via ISO/Technical Committee 205 Building Environmental Design. If approved, the ballot, which is expected to take several months to complete, would move the standard to publication as an ISO standard.

The cost of ANSI/ASHRAE/NEMA Standard 201-2016, Facility Smart Grid Information Model, packaged with the User’s Manual, is US$110, members (US$129, non-members). To order, visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore or contact ASHRAE Customer Contact Centre, 1-800-527-4723.