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SEI Releases Smart Grid Maturity Model Update

Posted by Michael Stal on Sep 16, 2011

Sections: Enterprise Architecture,; Operations & Infrastructure,; Architecture & Design
Topics: Embedded Devices ,; Embedded Software Dev ,; Architecture ,; Programming

At the GridWeek 2011 Conference the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at the Carnegie-Mellon-University has released an update 1.2 of its Smart Grid Maturity Model (SGMM). According to its definition, SGMM is

a management tool that utilities can leverage to plan their smart grid journeys, prioritize their options, and measure their progress as they move toward the realization of a smart grid.

According to Wikipedia, a

Smart grid is a type of electrical grid which attempts to predict and intelligently respond to the behavior and actions of all electric power users connected to it - suppliers, consumers and those that do both – in order to efficiently deliver reliable, economic, and sustainable electricity services.

In contrast to current centralized grids, smart grids integrate consumers and suppliers in a decentralized network. The “smart” in smart grid refers to the combination of electric power grids with IT. This combination of infrastructures is supposed to address challenges which conventional grids cannot handle such as the problem of coping with a variety of large and small energy consumers and suppliers in a reliable and secure way. In the upcoming years, today’s grids need to be be transformed into smart grids.

The SGMM is SEI’s approach to support utilities this transformation.

In the update the SGMM Compass Survey will help collect new data

to enable more sophisticated peer-to-peer comparisons
facilitate evaluation of the effectiveness of the model
inform Aspirations during a Navigated assessment

According to the SEI Web site SEI-Certified Smart Grid Maturity Model (SGMM) Navigators

are industry experts who have been trained and certified to guide utilities through the SGMM Navigation process. The SGMM Navigator works with the utility’s smart grid team to complete the SGMM Compass assessment on a consensus basis – promoting valuable internal discussion of current status and shared objectives. After scoring and analyzing the survey, the Navigator leads a second workshop to review the survey results and use them to set consensus aspirations for an agreed planning horizon -- and to discuss related motivations, obstacles and required actions.

If you are interested in more details, you may read introducing articles or visit CMU SEI’s Smart Grid site.