In the beginning of August, a few representatives from FPL joined other standards development organization leaders to participate in a meeting hosted by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help in launching the next step in the development and implementation of the interoperability standards roadmap for the U.S. Smart Grid (comprehensive energy plan). Additional information on NIST and the Smart Grid initiative can be found here: http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid/.
A key component of the Smart Grid is aligning generation and the use of energy. The FIX Protocol Ltd. organization was asked by NIST to participate in the meeting due to the use of FIX for energy forward markets. FPL agreed to work in conjunction with the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) to define a product definition for electrical energy or electrical energy price message format. NAESB (http://www.naesb.org/) serves as an industry forum for the development and promotion of standards which will lead to a seamless marketplace for wholesale and retail natural gas and electricity, as recognized by its customers, business community, participants, and regulatory entities. The OASIS standards development organization (http://www.oasis-open.org/) is playing an important role in the evolution of Smart Grid standards. OASIS members involved in Smart Grid related initiatives will also be invited to participate in this initiative.
FPL is creating the Electrical Energy Pricing Working Group (EEPWG) to develop the gap analysis and define what enhancements, if any, are required to the FIX Protocol to address electrical energy price message format (product reference). Once developed, it will be submitted to the FPL Global Technical Committee for review and approval.
The kickoff meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 1st at 4:00PM ET. The agenda for that meeting is as follows:
1. Introduction
a. Anti-trust guidance
b. Adoption of agenda
2. Review the priority action plan agreed upon during the NIST Smart Grid meeting and scope definition
a. Definition of energy instruments sometimes referred to an electrical energy price message format or more appropriate a price for energy with terms and conditions
b. This working group will not define or create business practices for the energy markets
3. Overview of the FIX Protocol Ltd organization and the FIX Standard for those outside the financial industry
4. Overview of the FIX Instrument Component
5. Presentation of an initial concept
6. Next steps/Other business
7. Adjourn
Participation in the Electrical Energy Pricing Working Group (EEPWG) will be open to all FPL Members and those from the NAESB as well as OASIS communities. If you are interested in participating please respond to this e-mail or call the Program Office at + 1 212 655 2944. Dial-in details will then be distributed to any interested parties.