The ZigBee Alliance , a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in energy management, residential, commercial and consumer electronics applications, announced it has made the draft 0.7 document of ZigBee Smart Energy version 2.0 available for public download and comment. This draft is being provided in conjunction with the Alliance’s previously announced commitment to collect public comments on the standard in addition to the input from the broad stakeholder community already actively engaged in its development. The release of the draft 0.7 document has been accelerated to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards review timeline.
The ZigBee Alliance , a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in energy management, residential, commercial and consumer electronics applications, announced it has made the draft 0.7 document of ZigBee Smart Energy version 2.0 available for public download and comment. This draft is being provided in conjunction with the Alliance's previously announced commitment to collect public comments on the standard in addition to the input from the broad stakeholder community already actively engaged in its development. The release of the draft 0.7 document has been accelerated to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards review timeline.
"The ZigBee Alliance's Smart Energy Profile 2.0 is an integral part of the home area networks (HAN) and the emerging requirements for Smart Grid interoperability and energy management," said George Arnold, National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability at NIST. "I am pleased to see the ZigBee Alliance going the extra mile to ensure all points of view are represented, augmenting its already open consensus-oriented process."
Since its initial release in May 2008, ZigBee Smart Energy has been the energy industry's choice for implementing AMI and Smart Metering on HAN. In January 2010, ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0 was included in the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 1.0.
"GE believes that ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0 provides the industry with the best and quickest path to achieve HAN standardization for the Smart Grid," said John McDonald, Technical Strategy and Policy Development Director at GE and Chair of the NIST SGIP Governing Board. "GE is committed to our role in developing ZigBee Smart Energy and developing ZigBee certified products."
The ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0 development process continues on multiple levels to ensure rapid progress. This multipronged effort offers opportunities for all Smart Grid stakeholders to provide public comments and feedback that ensures ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0 satisfies the varying requirements of the evolving Smart Grid.
"By publishing the draft 0.7 document of ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0, we continue our commitment to involve the entire Smart Grid community in the development of this standard," said Bob Heile, Chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "The ZigBee Alliance has taken extraordinary steps, beyond its normal open channels, to allow consideration of everyone's views. Our members look forward to rapidly completing a very market-relevant ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0 standard."
ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0 will provide an IP-based energy management solution that expands opportunities for use that builds upon the momentum currently underway in the industry today. ZigBee Smart Energy has already attracted strong support from smart meter manufacturers, device manufacturers, utilities, energy service providers and various government and standards organizations around the world.