OpenADR Alliance Selects Intertek for National Smart Grid Initiative in the U.S.

08 Aug 2011

Intertek will accelerate smart grid offering and open the way for next generation power

Sunnyvale, CA – Intertek, a leading global provider of quality and safety services, today announced that the OpenADR Alliance has selected Intertek as its exclusive testing and certification laboratory, providing conformance testing and certification for OpenADR 2.0 compliant products for interoperability with the smart grid.

Demand Response (DR) is the ability of demand side resources to alter their consumption, in response to price signals or incentives (to maintain system reliability). While, DR solutions have been available to the industry for some time, increasingly the automation of DR programs is accepted as an effective industry solution for balancing the supply and demand across the electric grid – in real-time. However, many current solutions lack standardization which causes challenges for utility companies, system operators and regulators. As a result, the OpenADR Alliance was created to foster the development, adoption and compliance of the OpenADR standards. The Alliance is in the process of developing and standardizing OpenADR 2.0 version of the standard and has engaged Intertek to be the only, independent third-party testing company that will perform interoperability testing and certification, for OpenADR 2.0 compliant products.

“We are very pleased that The OpenADR Alliance chose Intertek, and we look forward to applying our expertise to ensure that open standards are developed for the complete smart grid chain,” said Gregg Tiemann, Intertek Executive Vice President, Commercial and Electrical and Country Manager, North America. “Together, the OpenADR Alliance and Intertek can further build industry confidence in the technical activities that happen across the smart grid while establishing compliance and standards to meet the needs of service providers, regulators and other key influencers involved with the electric grid.”

Automated demand response is one of the dominant drivers for the smart grid as it deploys a fully preset signal from a utility, system operator (ISO/RTO) or other related entity to provide connectivity to customer end-use control systems and strategies. In an effort to provide a foundation for interoperable information exchange and set an industry standard and establish compliance, the OpenADR Alliance will work with companies to facilitate automated demand response. Intertek will play an integral part in helping to set this standard for the smart grid industry, as the company will provide interoperability testing and certification under the OpenADR Alliance initiative. Additionally, Intertek will support the Alliance and its members from pre-certification, to implementation and final testing and certification services.

While recently selected as the testing and certification laboratory for the OpenADR Alliance, Intertek has been deeply rooted in the electric power space for the last 30 years. Intertek supports its customers from power generation to end use smart devices, reducing their risk and improving their brands and images. Specifically, Intertek’s integrated services offer solutions that cover a wide range of activities in this market, including: regulatory requirements; energy efficiency and performance testing; renewable energy product certification; energy industry consulting and software solutions; and asset management for the power industry (fossil, nuclear and renewable). Intertek also works with and is an active member with a number of nationally recognized organizations supporting the smart grid supply chain including NIST’s Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) and the ZigBee Alliance.

“Over the last few years, the rapid penetration of renewable generation and the evolving electric grid have resulted in challenges for many organizations,” said Steve Anderson, VP Industry and Assurance Intertek. “Intertek continues to address and meet these challenges by expanding its integrated services to better help its customers from program design and smart grid implementation support, to technology assessment and cost/benefit analysis, to end-to-end testing and certification – functional, regulatory and safety.”

Intertek has a proven track record of success in the electric power industry. Intertek works closely with electric utilities, regulatory bodies, research laboratories in providing custom solutions and advisory services to optimally integrate new renewable resources in traditional power generation portfolios and utilizing emerging technologies such as DR for reliable and economical system planning. The company continues to expand and grow its smart grid services in North America. Intertek has resources and expertise around the nation that can specifically address the rapidly evolving energy industry.

For Media Inquiries:
Cassie Biscanin
PR Manager, Intertek Group, Americas Region
Direct: +1 713.543.3775
Email: cassandra.biscanin@intertek.com

For Market Inquiries:
Nicole Monaco
Marketing Manager
Direct: +1 847-871-1029
Email: Nicole.Monaco@intertek.com 

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading global provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and 30,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world. For further information please visit www.intertek.com.

About OpenADR
OpenADR Alliance is fostering the development, adoption, and compliance of the Open Automated Demand Response (OpenADR) standard through collaboration, education, training, testing, and certification. The OpenADR Alliance intends to work with related organizations such as the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel, Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), Utilities Communications Architecture International User’s Group (UCAIug), Wi-Fi Alliance™, ZigBee Alliance™ and others as appropriate.

The OpenADR Alliance is open to all interested stakeholders sharing a common interest in facilitating and accelerating the use and adoption of the OpenADR standard for price- and reliability-based demand response. More information can be obtained at http://www.openadr.org.