December 31, 2020
Newsletter for the GRID DATA Repository and BetterGrids Foundation, Inc.
2020 Update
We have made good progress on achieving our 2020 Strategic Goals as summarized in the following table despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic. We have also seen a growth in the Repository registered users and models. Note in particular the recent additions from a Phasor Based Control DOE Berkeley Project that includes time series load data in OpalRT Format.
| # | 2020 Strategic Goals | Progress to Date |
| 1 | Provide access to and/or links to power flow solvers that can be used with posted models | Bettergrids.org now provides a link to a free power flow solver from OpusOne |
| 2 | Create a Forum on BetterGrids.org | Development of Forum is near completion |
| 3 | On-line feedback form from the Repository | Feedback form implemented seeking comments on user experience (e.g., did you find what you were looking for?) |
| 4 | Increase community involvement in BetterGrids | •1 new curator engaged •5 outreach activities conducted |
BetterGrids Secure Data Exchange
GridBright Inc has committed to operating a secure exchange for BetterGrids.org free of charge to enable secure data exchange and efficient collaboration among the 50+ volunteers supporting the Foundation. It is based on the GRIDEON technology (www.Grideon.com) that GridBright has developed in collaboration with Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and MISO with funding from DOE ARPA-E. This SaaS service is currently undergoing final testing stages by several BetterGrids volunteers and is expected to go into operation in February 2021.
SGDX WorkGroup Progress
The Secure Grid Data Exchange (SGDX) Working Group of BetterGrids has developed a set of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for exchange of sensitive grid data that will be available publicly free of charge. They include 1) a one-way NDA, 2) a mutual NDA, and 3) a group (i.e., multi-lateral) NDA. They are currently going through a final review by the legal counsel before they are formally published. You can obtain the final drafts by by contacting info@bettergrids.org.
BetterGrids Forum
One of the 2020 Strategic Goals identified through the 2019 User Survey was to develop a forum that will help increase BetterGrids community engagement. The forum was designed with input from the Technical Committee and the development effort is near completion, with a target operational date of January 2021.
Draft Goals for 2021
The Technical Committee met on December 2, 2020 to review progress in 2020 and provide recommendations for strategic goals in 2021. The proposed goals are summarized in the following table. They will be reviewed and finalized at the Board Meeting in April 2021.
| # | 2021 Strategic Goals |
| 1 | Expand the Repository knowledge base to include clearer instructions for model submission |
| 2 | Operationalize the GRIDEON Secure Collaboration Site |
| 3 | Operationalize the newly developed BetterGrids Forum |
| 4 | Engage one more grid model Curator to help with the expansion of the Repository |
| 5 | Finalize and publish the secure grid data exchange NDAs |
| 6 | Perform 5 new outreach activities |
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