Welcome

Welcome to the Smart Grid website at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Whether you are a consumer, engineer, or policymaker, this website can help you learn about and participate in the Smart Grid and in the development of the interoperable standards that will make it possible. Today's electric power grid ranks as the single greatest engineering achievement of the 20th century. And tomorrow's Smart Grid will be one of the greatest achievements of the 21st century. By linking information technologies with the electric power grid—to provide "electricity with a brain"—the Smart Grid promises many benefits, including increased energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and improved power reliability.

Just as the Smart Grid enables two-way sharing of information and electricity, we hope that this website helps us share information, expertise, and enthusiasm. We welcome your comments and your participation.

---George Arnold, Director, Smart Grid and
Cyber Physical Systems Program Office
National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability