Amsterdam Hosts IEC Standardization Leaders for Critical Review of Utility Interworking Standards

Smart Grid Forums Hosts Joint Meeting of Utility IEC Standardization Communities

LONDON, June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — IEC standards have long been considered de facto for the European power grid sector. But the cost and complexity inherent in implementing them has inhibited full adoption, until now. Smart Grid Forums, an independent conference organizer specialized in the European power grid sector has been facilitating meetings on various IEC standards for more than 10 years. Key standards include IEC 61850 for substations, IEC CIM for control centers, and IEC 62443 for OT cybersecurity.

Addressing the Challenges

Over the years, utilities have been working with these IEC standards in separate silos, but it has become increasingly clear that their effective interworking is crucial for seamless and reliable grid operations. To address this need, Smart Grid Forums is hosting a joint meeting that brings together all three utility IEC standardization communities at one time and venue. The objective is to facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and ultimately drive the large-scale deployment of these standards.

The Week-Long Event

The week-long event starts with three Fundamentals Workshops that provide participants with foundational knowledge in IEC 61850, IEC CIM, and IEC 62443. The main conference spans three days and features high-level plenary sessions on macro issues facing the standardization community, as well as technical tracks focused on utility case-studies. The event concludes with a Communication briefing designed to help technical teams translate their engineering know-how into organizational priorities.

Discussion Topics

The conference will cover a wide range of discussion topics, including global standardization trends, improvements in working group engagement, workforce training, the application of IEC 61850 to drive cost-efficiency, the roadmap from digital to virtual substations, cybersecurity using IEC 62443, implementation planning, patch management, the use of CIM for data centralization, and data exchange between TSOs and DSOs.

Expert Speakers and Testimonials

The event features over 70 expert speakers who are leaders in their respective fields. Some of the notable speakers include Christoph Brunner, Convenor of TC57 WG10; Gabriel Faifman, Co-Convenor of TC65 WG10; and Jennifer MacKenzie, Lead Design Engineer at Scottish Power Energy. Testimonials from past events emphasize the high-quality presentations and the opportunity for learning and networking.

Editorial Perspective: The Importance of Standardization and Interworking

The Smart Grid Forums joint meeting highlights the critical role that standards play in the power grid sector. As the world transitions towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, ensuring the interoperability and reliability of grid operations becomes paramount.

Standardization not only sets a common framework for different stakeholders to work with, but it also improves efficiency, reduces costs, and accelerates innovation. In the European power grid sector, the IEC standards have long been seen as the de facto standards. However, the fragmented implementation of these standards has hindered their full potential.

The collaborative efforts of Smart Grid Forums to bring together the utility IEC standardization communities is an important step towards overcoming this challenge. By enabling the exchange of best practices, challenges, and lessons learned, utilities can enhance their understanding of the standards and work towards a more integrated power grid system.

The Role of Internet Security in Smart Grid Standardization

As the power grid becomes increasingly digitized and interconnected, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes critical. The IEC 62443 standard for OT cybersecurity addresses this need by providing guidelines and best practices for securing the IT-OT integrated digital grid.

However, ensuring the security of the power grid goes beyond simply implementing standards. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes regular audits, threat assessments, incident response plans, and employee training. It is important for utilities to invest in cybersecurity expertise and collaborate with industry experts to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Advice: Moving Towards a Secure and Interconnected Grid

As the power grid sector adopts and implements IEC standards, it is important to prioritize both internet security and interworking. Here are a few recommendations:

Invest in Cybersecurity Expertise:

Utilities should invest in cybersecurity expertise to ensure that their systems and networks are protected against potential cyber threats. This includes hiring qualified professionals, conducting regular security audits, and implementing industry best practices.

Collaborate with Industry Experts:

Collaboration with industry experts, such as the Smart Grid Forums, can provide valuable insights and knowledge sharing opportunities. Participating in conferences, workshops, and forums allows utilities to learn from their peers, understand best practices, and stay updated on the latest trends in the field.

Drive Interworking of Standards:

Utilities should aim to move beyond siloed implementations of standards and focus on the interworking of different standards. This can be achieved through cross-functional collaboration, sharing of use cases, and joint pilot projects. The goal is to create a seamless and reliable grid system that leverages the full potential of IEC standards.

Stay Vigilant:

The evolving nature of cyber threats requires constant vigilance. Utilities need to stay informed about emerging risks and technologies that can help mitigate those risks. Regularly updating security measures, learning from past incidents, and investing in robust cybersecurity infrastructure will be key to maintaining a secure power grid.

In conclusion, standardization and interworking are crucial for the power grid sector to operate seamlessly and reliably. The joint meeting facilitated by Smart Grid Forums marks an important step towards achieving this goal. It is essential for utilities to prioritize internet security, collaborate with industry experts, and drive the interworking of different standards to create a secure and interconnected power grid system.