The need to protect individual privacy and the need to protect the system from external threats could both present challenges for those with plans to expand or smarten the grid.
Privacy protection must be built into the design of smart grid technology before an explosion of personal data erupts, Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Dr. Ann Cavoukian, cautioned on November 17. “We must take great care not to sacrifice consumer privacy amidst an atmosphere of unbridled enthusiasm for electricity reform. Information proliferation, lax controls and insufficient oversight of this information could lead to unprecedented invasions of consumer privacy. We recognize the value of the information on the grid, which will give consumers more control over their electricity usage and give utilities the ability to manage demand requirements, but the dissemination of data must be done in a trustworthy and transparent manner.” For the full story see http://www.ipc.on.ca.
And in the field of homeland security – Canada’s electricity industry is concerned unilateral US action to protect the North American power grid from an imminent cyber threat could upset the power supply in Canada. Four cyber-security bills before Congress contain either weak or no provisions requiring US authorities to consult Canada before taking action to confront an imminent cyber threat to the continental network. For details see http://www.hstoday.us.
Adapted from material provided by the Langford e-newsletter, at www.langford.com.