PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 24 April 2005 The IEEE
has begun work on a new standard, IEEE P1547.6(TM),
to provide additional information for interconnecting
utility distribution secondary network systems with
local electric power systems that contain distributed
resources (DR) such as fuel cells, photovoltaics and
microturbines. Customer service in secondary networks
occurs through multiple transformers, as opposed to
radial distribution systems that typically have one
path along which power flows from the utility distribution
substation to the customer.
Distribution secondary network systems, including
their switchgear, protective equipment, transformers
and other components, were not traditionally designed
to accept power from local generating technologies.
IEEE P1547.6, "Recommended Practice for Interconnecting
Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems
Distribution Secondary Networks", will overcome
this deficiency by recommending technical criteria,
requirements and tests relevant to the performance,
operation, testing, safety and maintenance for interconnecting
DR on such networks. It will consider the needs of
local and area electric power systems so as to serve
owners, operators, manufacturers, system integrators,
regulators and other constituencies.
The ability to access power from customer-sited generation
facilities is essential to modernizing electric power
systems and making them more flexible and secure.
The use of distributed resources also promises to
lower the cost of electricity, make electrical generation
cleaner and more efficient, reduce transmission and
distribution line loss and congestion, and improve
power reliability and quality, among other benefits.
The IEEE 1547 family of standards gives utilities
a technical framework to integrate power from diverse
local sources by considering such topics as operation,
testing, interconnection, safety, maintenance, interoperability,
design, engineering, installation and certification.
IEEE 1547 standards are sponsored by the IEEE Standards
Coordinating Committee 21 for Fuel Cells, Photovoltaics,
Dispersed Generation, and Energy Storage.
About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized
standards-setting body, develops consensus standards
through an open process that brings diverse parts
of an industry together. These standards set specifications
and procedures based on current scientific consensus.
The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of more than 870 completed
standards and more than 400 standards in development.
For information on IEEE-SA see: http://standards.ieee.org/.
About the IEEE
The IEEE has more than 360,000 members in approximately
175 countries. Through its members, the organization
is a leading authority on areas ranging from aerospace,
computers and telecommunications to biomedicine, electric
power and consumer electronics. The IEEE produces
nearly 30 percent of the world's literature in the
electrical and electronics engineering, computing
and control technology fields. This nonprofit organization
also sponsors or cosponsors more than 300 technical
conferences each year. Additional information about
the IEEE can be found at http://www.ieee.org.
IEEE P1547. and 1547, are trademarks
of the IEEE. All other names or product names are
the trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks
of their respective holders.
