IEEE and SAE Agree to Collaborate on Smart Grid and Electric Vehicles

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) and SAE International today announced that the two organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a strategic partnership in vehicular technology related to the Smart Grid. In doing so, IEEE-SA and SAE International are striving to create a more efficient and collaborative standards-development environment for the industry participants that they serve.

"Our stakeholders have 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. "IEEE-SA is a natural partner for us in this area because of its international leadership position in Smart Grid standards development. Closer collaboration between SAE International and IEEE-SA will benefit industry by accelerating more meaningful standards that drive greater improvements in market access, cost reductions and technological innovation."

Both SAE International and IEEE-SA already have made significant contributions in standards in areas such as plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communications and power and the Smart Grid. 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 over 780 members have developed 46 standards and are currently working on over 30 new standards in process.

IEEE, the world’s largest professional association advancing technology for humanity, has more than 100 standards and standards in development relevant to the Smart Grid, including more than 20 named in the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards. Under terms of the MOU signed by IEEE-SA and SAE International in February 2011, each organization will share its draft standards related to the Smart Grid and vehicle electricification for input from the other.

"We are very excited about the potential of this strategic partnership with SAE International in vehicular technology related to the Smart Grid," said Judith Gorman, managing director, IEEE Standards Association. "By establishing an environment for closer collaboration with this globally recognized thought leader in the mobility industry, both IEEE-SA and SAE International will be able to more quickly roll out better standards. And that translates into faster realization of the revolution that the Smart Grid promises in terms of production, delivery and use of electricity for industry and consumers alike worldwide."

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 consensus 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.

The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development.

IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics.

www.ieee.org.