New updates to the U.S. Smart Grid framework may change how the nation gets its energy

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released updates for the Smart Grid of the U.S.

The Smart Grid is a framework of standards and practices for the nation’s alternative energy initiatives. The standards governing the nation’s endeavors are updated regularly to account for changing trends in the commercial market and emerging technologies. NIST’s updates included new standards for cybersecurity and testing procedures concerning new alternative energy technologies.

NIST is tasked by the federal government to renovate the nation’s archaic energy system. The agency’s main goal is to incorporate alternative energy into the system in order to lessen the nation’s environmental impact and its reliance on foreign energy sources.

The new changes proposed by NIST will test the resolve of legislators that are advocates of alternative energy, as the changes call for drastic actions to be taken.

The updates to the Smart Grid roadmap include aggressive initiatives to replace the nation’s coal and nuclear power plants with hydrogen fuel cell systems. Solar and wind power are also a focus, as NIST seeks to expand their use in both residential and industries applications. NIST also recommends new legislations to be adopted to encourage energy companies, both foreign and domestic, to test new technologies and help commercialize emerging technologies.

NIST is taking an aggressive approach to changing the way the nation gets its energy, but whether legislators will follow suit is yet to be seen.