Jim Crawford: Open - Architecture - Definitions

This posted to smartgrid@ostp.gov by Jim Crawford, Trane
Response to Question 1: A resident energy management system needs to be able to access the meter directly to obtain real-time data on energy use, even though the utility may access that data only periodically [such as sampling the content of a data accumulator or register].

Advanced energy management control systems need to have real-time access to energy use data and real-time data on time TOU pricing. In the absence of real-time data, the system needs to have TOU pricing data in advance to be able to optimally schedule loads.

Duplex communication will be needed for full functionality, but the communication mechanism need not be the meter. Alternate communications mechanisms [media] should be accommodated such as DSL, broadband, wi-fi, etc.

Response to Question 2: The Smart Grid design should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a range of mechanisms [media] for duplex communication between the consumer or consumer's property and the utility or other service providers. The gateway should be open to service providers other than the utility chosen at the option of the consumer. Further, there is no reason to assume that the gateway should necessarily be integrated in a smart meter. Assuming that the only gateway is the meter is too limiting in terms of technological limits [such as bandwidth] and free-enterprise competition.

Response to Question 3: The exact intent of the words "open innovation" is not clear. It is clear that the architecture in terms of physical structure, data structure and data coding, and algorithms should be a open and flexible as possible, while the detailed mechanisms of implementation should be left to the innovation of individual entrepreneurs.

In considering architecture it is important to define a minimum set of communication or data "channels" in terms of the data set or other information to be communicated. The structure of the architecture should be sufficiently flexible and open to permit substantial expansion of this minimum function set to accommodate proprietary functions and services developed by non-utility, third-party service providers.

As noted above, the data on an individual property is proprietary to the rate-payer.
Jim Crawford