TIME IS SHORT
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking comment on their proposal for upgrading smart meters. Their proposal, in spite of particularly identifying customers as people they wish to hear from, does not address safety concerns either with the switch-mode power supplies or public health concerns related to the chronic radiofrequency radiation exposure that the various transmitting meters cause. These issues are ignored entirely. They should not be.
They seem to be trying to address security concerns. I would encourage experts in the area of computer security to comment on whether these concerns are adequately addressed. My feeling is that they are probably not, but others with greater knowledge and experience in that area should read their draft and comment. If, in your opinion, they are not adequately addressed, it would be reasonable to ask for a moratorium on the smart meter program while security issues are addressed.
A testing protocol, which this is, should include testing for problems with the switch-mode power supplies so experts able to comment on that are encouraged to file comments.
Consumers are encouraged to file comments asking that a standards and testing protocol address the issues of concern to them, such as testing to ensure that the switch mode power supply is not putting high frequency signals on their wiring, that the smart meters not be transmitting meters, that appropriate security protocols be in place to ensure that data is not hackable and is not for sale, and that consumer privacy is fully protected. Those who have experienced health problems, please include a brief synopsis (remember these are public comments) and ask for a moratorium on the smart meter program for water, gas, and electrical services while safety problems are addressed. You may want to include a couple of references.
Comments can be filed by mail or email. To file by email send comments to:
Electronic comments should be sent to: Michaela Iorga at michaela.iorga@nist.gov,
See below for additional instructions and for a link to the draft document.
Thank you, Catherine
ACTION
Notice And Request For Comments.
SUMMARY
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks comments on Draft NISTIR 7823, Advanced Metering Infrastructure Smart Meter Upgradeability Test Framework (Draft NISTIR 7823). This draft document provides an example test framework and conformance test requirements for the firmware upgradeability process for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Smart Meters. The target audience for Draft NISTIR 7823 includes numerous stakeholders in the Smart Grid space, particularly customers, Smart Meter manufacturers, certifying bodies, test labs, and standards development organizations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DATES:Back to Top
Comments must be received by August 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES:Back to Top
Written comments concerning the document may be sent to: Information Technology Laboratory, ATTN: Michaela Iorga, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8930, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930.
Electronic comments should be sent to: Michaela Iorga at michaela.iorga@nist.gov,
Draft NISTIR 7823, Advanced Metering Infrastructure Smart Meter Upgradeability Test Framework, is available electronically from the NIST Web site at: http://csrc.nist.gov/
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Back to Top
Michaela Iorga, (301) 975-8431, email: michaela.iorga@nist.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:Back to Top
NIST publishes this notice to solicit comments on Draft NISTIR 7823,Advanced Metering Infrastructure Smart Meter Upgradeability Test Framework (Draft NISTIR 7823). This draft document proposes an example test framework and conformance test requirements for the firmware upgradeability process for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Smart Meters. The conformance test requirements in the Draft NISTIR 7823 are derived from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Requirements for Smart Meter Upgradeability standard, which defines requirements for Smart Meter firmware upgradeability in the context of an AMI system for industry stakeholders such as regulators, utilities, and vendors. Draft NISTIR 7823 identifies test procedures that the vendors and testers can voluntarily use to demonstrate a system's conformance with the NEMA standard. The testing procedures identified as “Required Vendor Information” apply to vendors, and the procedures identified as “Required Test Procedures” apply to testers.
Draft NISTIR 7823 includes a description of conformance tests that apply to Smart Meters and Upgrade Management System (UMS). The conformance tests applicable to Smart Meters are described in the following sections: Section 2, the Mandatory Functional Requirements, Section 3, the Conditional Functional Requirements, Section 4, the Optional Functional Requirements, and Section 5, the Non-testable Functional Requirements. The conformance tests applicable to UMS are described in Section 6.
The test framework identified in the Draft NISTIR 7823 is intended to provide objectivity and repeatability in the testing process, and to ensure that a consistent method is used to assess conformance with the NEMA Requirements for Smart Meter Upgradeability. The NEMA specification does not address specific details on the interfaces, commands, or protocols needed to achieve a firmware upgrade, nor does it specify how the functional and security requirements contained in the specification are to be implemented.
Draft NISTIR 7823 provides a high-level overview of the test procedures, in addition to providing more detailed steps for conducting the test, reviewing test results, and producing records to assess and report on results of the test.
Comments are requested on the test framework, conformance test requirements, and test procedures described in the document.
Dated: July 2, 2012.
Willie E. May,
Associate Director for Laboratory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012-16727 Filed 7-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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