CEA Calls for ‘Consistent’ Smart Grid Privacy, Security Policies

The Department of Energy and other federal agencies should ensure that smart grid data access, privacy and security policies are consistent as smart grid deployments happen in the states, the CEA said. While protecting their privacy will be important to consumer adoption of smart grid technologies, the CEA is concerned that the creation of multiple, state-by-state smart grid privacy policies could “hinder innovation and smart grid deployments,” it said in comments to the DOE on the implementation of the national broadband plan.

Consumers should own their energy use data, as they should be able to control and monitor access to such data collected by utilities, the CEA said. Utilities should be able to use and disclose “aggregated, anonymized, consumption information, so long as consumers are informed of this practice and utilities and third-party aggregators implement industry standard mechanisms” to prevent data theft or misuse, it said.

But the Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition said consumers and utilities are co-owners of energy use information. “The utility also owns such data in that it requires such data in its operations to serve a given customer and efficiently manages the electric grid, and thus they must be able to access it at anytime,” the group said. Aggregated energy use data should be accessible to consumers, utilities and municipalities, it said. The coalition sought “high level” privacy protection for consumers.

Consumers should have access to “timely, useful and actionable” information about energy use and costs, Google said. Open standards and consumers’ ability to share energy use information with third parties, could lead to “countless new products and solutions to help consumers save energy and money,” the company said. But to do so, consumers must be confident that their personal energy information would be protected and “used only for their benefit,” it said. “Google believes that it is possible to address security and privacy needs in the smart grid in flexible ways that foster innovation,” it said.

Smart grid applications don’t require private, dedicated networks, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association said. Commercial network operators are “well positioned to provide advanced communications requirements of the smart grid,” the group said. Even if some portions of the utility distribution grid is “so sensitive to merit a private, dedicated network, commercial broadband network operators are well positioned to provide these dedicated services,” it said. State utility commissioners have recognized the cost savings that could be had from using commercial networks vs dedicated smart grid networks, it said.

Utilities can take advantage of the “experience and capabilities” of existing operators by using commercial broadband networks for smart grid applications, said Verizon. The use of existing networks also would “create incentives for more widespread broadband infrastructure investment by increasing demand for broadband demand,” the company said. GE wants the FCC to set aside wireless spectrum for exclusive use of utilities’ smart grid applications, it said.