Data Access Privacy Issues and Communications Requirements of Smart Grid Technologies
Smart Grid Expert Consultant Knowledge Series
Critical Information from the World of Smart Grid / Smart Meter
DOE released two reports addressing important Smart Grid issues: Data Access and Privacy Issues Related to Smart Grid Technologies and Communications Requirements of Smart Grid Technologies.
The first report focuses on the privacy implications of advanced metering systems. These systems offer many benefits because they can generate information allowing better management and modernization of our electrical grid and loDOEr energy bills. They also generate the most important short-term privacy and data access issues because they can be used to describe a family’s lifestyle with precision.
The biggest surprise arising from the public comments DOE received was the range of issues for which there was broad agreement – issues like the need to educate consumers about the benefits of smart grid technologies, that efforts to deploy smart grid technologies should be flexible and consider the circumstances of rural, low-income, minority, and elderly consumers, and, because one size does not fit all, allowing localized control over the technologies used and the pace of technology deployment.
Broad agreement, though, does not mean universal agreement. Some important issues remain to be debated – issues about how consumers might authorize third-party access to their data, or the scope of liability for utilities required to disclose consumers data, and the types of data utilities should be required to collect and disclose to third parties. DOE explored these issues and our report frames them for further discussion.
The second report surveys communications technology options from the meter to deep in the electric grid. One important question is whether a utility should use its own network, or a commercial network, to meet its communications needs. DOE do not draw any hard conclusions, nor should DOE. Utilities must, in the end, decide what kinds of networks meet their needs. But DOE do believe that whether a commercial or utility owned network is most appropriate depends on a variety of factors, including the particular application and where a technology is being deployed. DOE also believe that there is much the Department of Energy can do to help advance the discussion about how best to provide communications for smart grid technologies and our report sets forth several recommendations.
Because utilities expressed concern about getting sufficient priority of service on commercial networks, DOE has committed to reviewing existing federal priority-of-service programs to see if any changes should be made. Also, given the role of wireless technologies, DOE has committed to making sure the Department fully advises federal spectrum management working groups on the communication needs generated by smart grid technologies and to work for increased utility representation on related federal advisory committees. In a similar vein, DOE recommends that utilities have increased representation on federal advisory committees addressing network reliability. And, finally, DOE would like to make sure utilities are aware of existing programs that might make it easier for them to take advantage of commercial networks. To that end, DOE intends to develop an online clearinghouse as a forum for utilities and to provide a substantive resource on communications options and federal priority-of-service programs.
Source: US Department of Energy