How time flies! Already one quarter through 2024, so much has been accomplished and yet much work remains. The DER industry appears to be bouncing back from a down end of 2023 with 30-50% growth in SunSpec markets and it is incumbent on this community to protect itself, its customers, and its communities.
Even with national standards mandating interoperability requirements, realizing the shared goal of intelligent DER networks that improves grid resilience is impossible without every market participant achieving full protocol compliance through SunSpec Certification. To that end, SunSpec has launched the new SunSpec Express Test and Workshop programs. Join us on April 18th for a free informational webinar and act fast to register for the following 4-hour workshop on April 25. Space is limited to just 10 individuals to ensure that training is hands-on, interactive, and highly beneficial. Discounts are available for Members of the Alliance and a complimentary one-month license of DERSec LabTest Plus, the same tool we use for SunSpec Modbus Certification, will be provided to all attendees.
Equally important, DER Cybersecurity requirements are coming and the SunSpec Alliance and members are doing our part to pave the way forward. Important developments include:
SunSpec & Intertek hosted a public webinar on DER Cybersecurity Requirements and Certification (recording and slides here)
SunSpec DER Device Cybersecurity Re-Certification policy review is concluding April 5 (download and comment here)
Next level 2024 Cybersecurity Requirements and Test Procedures are now available for public comment for 45-days, concluding May 15 (download and comment here)
Improvements to the SunSpec Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) in partnership with SecureG (see Press Release)
Finally, the SunSpec Orange Button community has launched a major fund raising and expansion campaign to create a new Product Registry service and expand use cases. Contact membership@sunspec.org for investment details.
Our goal at SunSpec is to grow the DER industry by pushing interoperability and cybersecurity forward, and by serving as a hub for our Members to learn about and contribute to these efforts. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to continuing to serve you every day!
Best, Dylan Tansy Executive Director SunSpec Alliance
RECAP: Intertek & SunSpec Cybersecurity Certification of Distributed Energy Resources
On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, presenters from both Intertek and the SunSpec Alliance presented the latest market drivers, product requirements, the certification process, and more in a free webinar for manufacturers who wish to show that their products comply with the SunSpec cybersecurity standards. Thank you to all who attended and made this a successful event! Click view recap to access the webinar recording and slides.
SunSpec Alliance is happy to announce SunSpec Express Test™, a new, fast method for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) manufacturers to earn SunSpec Modbus for IEEE 1547 certification for DER products.
SunSpec Alliance is happy to announce SunSpec Express Test™, a new, fast method for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) manufacturers to earn SunSpec Modbus for IEEE 1547 certification for DER products.
The 3rd edition of the V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum, April 30 – May 2, 2024 in San Diego brings together top industry players, working groups, utility professionals and others who are focused on the successful development and implementation of vehicle-to-grid in the United States.
SecureG Partners With SunSpec Alliance to Supercharge Cybersecurity Standards for Distributed Energy Resources
SunSpec Alliance is happy to announce that we have upgraded our Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) capabilities by partnering with SecureG. As a result of this partnership we will be able to scale our PKI solution to meet the needs of any country or jurisdiction while providing both improved security and flexibility for device manufacturers. Please read this important press release!
SunSpec Cybersecurity Certification Program: 2024 Requirements & Test Procedures
Having launched the SunSpec Device Cybersecurity Certification program in 2023, we are now working to address other use cases in 2024. The 2024 DER Cybersecurity requirements and test procedures are now ready for broad review and comment. The review period will conclude on May 15th.
SunSpec Cybersecurity Program Recertification Policy
The Recertification Policy of the SunSpec Cybersecurity Certification Program is now completing its 45 day review period on April 5th. Please be sure to input your comments before this deadline!
SunSpec Alliance Chairman Tom Tansy had the privilege of attending and presenting at the 6th Annual Utility Cyber Security Forum during March 19-21 in Chicago. In his talk, entitled “DER Cybersecurity In A Decentralized Grid,” Tansy highlighted the fact that the United States is quickly revising cybersecurity regulations across all 50 states and that manufacturers and operators should get on board now to avoid being shut out when state-level cybersecurity regulations kick in.
U.S. State-Level Adoption of IEEE 1547-2018 Nears Completion
As of March 2024, 23 state public utility commissions, and many other states that follow the rules of the independent system operator or power authority, had either fully or partially adopted IEEE 1547-2018 and the corresponding UL 1741 SB safety standard. A review of the California Energy Commission approved equipment list indicates that the number of inverters that comply with the older IEEE 1547-2014 and UL 1741 SA standards is diminishing, thus indicating that vendors are rapidly reducing their inventories of older equipment. Before long, only IEEE 1547-2018 inverters will be readily available in the market. Companies that have not yet completed the transition should contact membership@sunspec.org to learn how SunSpec can help accelerate your entry into the market.
SunSpec Streamlines “SunSpec Modbus for IEEE 1547” Certification
SunSpec Alliance is happy to announce SunSpec Express Test™, a new, fast method for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) manufacturers to earn SunSpec Modbus for IEEE 1547 certification for DER products. Manufacturers apply online at SunSpec.org for the SunSpec Express Test™ program and enroll for a timeslot to have the full test sweep executed within two weeks. For products that comply with the SunSpec Modbus for IEEE 1547 communication standard, testing can be done in 48 hours.
After more than two years of development, the IEEE 2030.5 DER data communication standard, officially adopted as a national standard in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, has been revised, approved, and is in the process of being published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers as IEEE 2030.5-2023. You can expect to be able to purchase this document from IEEE.org in Q1 2024.
This is a landmark achievement for the DER industry because it consolidates requirements that were revealed in the initial implementation of the technology in California and Australia, memorializes device aggregation as an official architectural element, and adds requirements for price signalling and market engagement. Like all IEEE standard revisions, this one is “backward compatible,” meaning that functionality you have grown to rely on is unaltered. SunSpec supports this standard with profile development, public key infrastructure security services and a certification program. Contact membership@sunspec.org if you would like more information.
Introducing the SunSpec Device Cybersecurity Certification Program
The SunSpec Device Cybersecurity Certification program is now under way and is setting the foundation for the national Distribute Energy Resource fleet. Intertek EWA-Canada has been approved as the first qualified SunSpec Authorized Testing Laboratory for cybersecurity and is serving customers now. The video of the program launch event describes what is covered in the program now and what’s coming next. Please contact membership@sunspec.org if you would like more information.
Gain access to valuable information by becoming a Member of the SunSpec Alliance and joining a SunSpec Work Group. Contact membership@sunspec.org to learn more or login to the member portal to enroll.
After more than two years of development, the IEEE 2030.5 DER data communication standard, officially adopted as a national standard in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, has been revised, approved, and is in the process of being published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers as IEEE 2030.5-2023. You can expect to be able to purchase this document from IEEE.org in Q1 2024.
Introducing the SunSpec Device Cybersecurity Certification Program
