KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EnerNex Smart Grid Labs (SGL), a worldwide leader in Smart Grid standards, analysis, implementation, and technology, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to validate the test framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) ensuring remote smart meter firmware upgrade schemes implemented are truly interoperable according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standard.

“EnerNex SGL is pleased to be a member of such a highly qualified project team, and will specifically be responsible for providing support as an industry partner. We are pleased to work with ORNL and Itron, identified industry leaders in meter testing and end-to-end technology, respectively, in undertaking this project.”

EnerNex will provide support as an industry partner for the merit review criteria portion of the project which entails evaluating the framework, writing test plans, overseeing the testing infrastructure, and providing feedback to DOE, NIST and standards groups, such as NEMA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

This activity leverages EnerNex's skill in advanced metering technology and test methodology, as well as the infrastructure and staff in EnerNex's Smart Grid Labs facility.

Dr. Aaron Snyder, Deputy Director of Smart Grid Labs, stated: “EnerNex SGL is pleased to be a member of such a highly qualified project team, and will specifically be responsible for providing support as an industry partner. We are pleased to work with ORNL and Itron, identified industry leaders in meter testing and end-to-end technology, respectively, in undertaking this project.”

As electric utilities turn to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Smart Meters to promote the development and deployment of the Smart Grid, one aspect that can benefit from standardization is the secure, remote upgradeability of Smart Meters.

For more information on the project: http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts/nistir-7823/draft_nistir-7823.pdf

Federal Register Notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-07-10/pdf/2012-16727.pdf

About EnerNex

EnerNex, established in 2003, provides research, engineering and consulting services, for the electric power industry. EnerNex focuses on providing services around the development and application of new and emerging electric power technologies to engineer a cleaner, smarter energy system of the future. The firm serves as the SGIP Administrator under a NIST-awarded contract; for more information on the project, click here.