Two vendors have successfully completed testing of MultiSpeak® components that could help utility operators get the most out of smart grid technology.
The MultiSpeak Initiative has been under development by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and 50 software vendors and consultants since 2000. Its goal is to encourage interoperability among software applications to reduce the need for custom modifications as co-ops adopt the technology.
“The test results will increase the preferred options co-ops have in the software they buy as they move ahead with smart grid deployment,” said Bob Saint, NRECA principal distribution engineer for energy policy.
Saint has spearheaded NRECA’s MultiSpeak Initiative since it was transferred to NRECA from the Cooperative Research Network in 2004. He hopes to represent electric co-ops on an advisory panel created by the National Institute of Standards and Testing.
The testing involved components of MultiSpeak versions 3 and 4 following upgrades in the interface architecture. Milsoft Utilty Solutions Inc’s outage management system successfully received automatic vehicle locator data from Clevest Solutions Inc.’s mobile system. The two systems shared information using MultiSpeak web services.
“This is another step in accelerating the development of software with interoperability that uses a standard co-ops are helping to develop,” Saint said.
Proving individual functions interoperate will save co-op operations personnel time and money in realtime situations, said saint.
Companies involved with MultiSpeak are hoping to build on the results, said Wayne Carr, CEO of Milsoft Utility Solutions. “We remain absolutely committed to no-holds-barred integrations with all the companies our customers do business with.”
—Derrill Holly, Electric Co-op Today