Interconnection standard for DERs mandated in Federal legislation. The latest version 2018 version includes Interoperability requirements. Certification is done by NRTLs using UL 1741.
Why are we including a standard that was originally a safety standard for interconnecting a power generating system (Distributed Energy Resource = DER) to an AC grid? First, it is a grid edge standard. But more importantly, IEEE 1547-2018 has evolved into both a smart inverter functional standard and it addresses the issue of communications interoperability between a grid operator and DER. Because it is both the mandated and default standard in the US for interconnection of DERs to the grid, IEEE 1547-2018 promises to have a profound impact on smart grid interoperability in coming years.
IEEE 1547-2018 has a companion standard, IEEE 1547.1-2020, which specifies how to test a DER for conformance to IEEE 1547-2018. The 1547.1 standard includes interoperability testing and is in the process of being adopted by states such as Hawaii and California which need this standard today to manage their growing DER populations.
An IEEE Application Guide, IEEE 1547.2, provides guidance to users of the IEEE 1547 standard and is in the process of being updated. It is expected in 2021.
IEEE 1547.1 is not a certification test plan. Certification of conformance to IEEE 1547.1 is done using the UL 1741 Safety Standard and is overseen by the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
Additional information about the IEEE 1547.1 standard will be added in February 2021
