SAE International Standards Among First Chosen for Smart Grid Catalog of Standards

WARRENDALE, PA--Aug. 3, 2011: Two SAE International electric vehicle standards were among the first six standards added by The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) into its Catalog of Standards. The standards, which gained approval by over 90 percent of SGIP members, reflect the high-priority national standards needed to convey the modern and energy-efficient power grid with seamlessly interoperable components. The SGIP, a consensus-based group of more than 675 public and private organizations was created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate the development of U.S. Smart Grid standards.

SAE International is a leading standards development organization identified by NIST for "Interoperability Standards to Support Plug-In Electric Vehicles."

The two SAE International standards included in SGIP's Catalog of Standards include:

• J1772: SAE Electric Vehicle and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler -- This standard describes the physical connector used to plug in an electric vehicle (EV), and it specifies such details as the dimensions, functions, and configurations of the vehicle inlet and mating conductor. Standardization of the connector allows EV operators to use the same charging equipment, reducing consumer costs and increasing consumer convenience and acceptance. This standard applies to charging from AC power sources, such as that presently available at a typical home or office building. This standard is currently being revised to encompass a new quick-charge DC connector which will reduce the charge time for electric vehicles from hours to minutes.
• J2836/1: Use Cases for Communication Between Plug-in Vehicles and the Utility Grid -- This standard describes the electronic information the vehicle will exchange with the grid during the charging process by establishing use cases for communication between plug-in electric vehicles and the electric power grid, for energy transfer and other applications. With the information made available by the adoption of this standard, utilities will be able to develop programs that enable consumers to charge their vehicles at the lowest cost during off-peak hours.

The Catalog of Standards will eventually contain hundreds of consensus standards and be an important source of knowledge for the entire grid community including utilities, manufacturers, consumers, and regulators.

The SGIP supports NIST, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, in fulfilling its responsibilities under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act.

"Our stakeholders have a keen interest in the Smart Grid because it's the infrastructure needed to recharge hybrid and electric vehicles," said Jack Pokrzywa, Director of Global Ground Vehicle Standards with SAE International.

SAE International Ground Vehicle Standards Technical Committees are leading the vehicle transportation industry in the development of standards to provide safer processes and practices for effective implementation of hybrid/electric vehicles. A total of 24 SAE International Ground Vehicle electrification committees with more than 780 members have developed 46 standards and are currently working on more than 30 new standards.

To find out more about how SAE International is addressing the challenges of transportation connectivity visit the new vehicle electrification portal at EV SAE.

SAE International is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series.