The IEEE Standards Association and SAE International have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership in vehicular technology related to the smart grid. In doing so, IEEE-SA and SAE International are striving to create a more efficient and collaborative standards-development environment for the industry participants that they serve.

"Our stakeholders have keen interest in the smartgGrid because it's the infrastructure needed to recharge hybrid and electric vehicles," said Jack Pokrzywa, director of global ground vehicle standards with SAE International. "IEEE-SA is a natural partner for us in this area because of its international leadership position in Smart Grid standards development. Closer collaboration between SAE International and IEEE-SA will benefit industry by accelerating more meaningful standards that drive greater improvements in market access, cost reductions and technological innovation."

Both SAE International and IEEE-SA already have made contributions in standards in areas such as plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communications and power and the Smart Grid. SAE International Ground Vehicle Standards Technical Committees are leading the vehicle transportation industry in the development of standards to provide safer processes and practices for effective implementation of hybrid/electric vehicles. A total of 24 SAE International Ground Vehicle electrification committees with over 780 members have developed 46 standards and are currently working on over 30 new standards in process.

IEEE has more than 100 standards and standards in development relevant to the smart grid, including more than 20 named in the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards. Under terms of the MOU signed by IEEE-SA and SAE International in February 2011, each organization will share its draft standards related to the Smart Grid and vehicle electricification for input from the other.

"We are very excited about the potential of this strategic partnership with SAE International in vehicular technology related to the Smart Grid," said Judith Gorman, managing director, IEEE Standards Association. "By establishing an environment for closer collaboration with this globally recognized thought leader in the mobility industry, both IEEE-SA and SAE International will be able to more quickly roll out better standards. And that translates into faster realization of the revolution that the Smart Grid promises in terms of production, delivery and use of electricity for industry and consumers alike worldwide."