A Smart Grid Interop (News - Alert) Lab (SGIL) will be opened by KEMA in Erlanger, Kentucky. For the first time, impartial verification of device interoperability will be offered by an independent test facility in the industry. Independent verification of device interoperability will be offered to utilities and manufacturers by this advanced testing facility. Experts from the industry and KEMA will be present at the grand opening of the Interop Lab.

The featured speakers at the opening will include the National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability at NIST, Dr. George W Arnold. Other key speakers at the opening are the President and Managing Director for KEMA Americas, Hugo van Nispen, and the President of KEMA-Powertest LLC, Paul Leufkens.

In April 2009, Dr. George Arnold was appointed National Coordinator at National Institute of Standards and Technology or NIST. The development of standards underpinning the nation's Smart Grid is the responsibility of Dr. Arnold. The Smart Grid policy subcommittee at the White House National Science and Technology Council is also co-chaired by Dr. Arnold.

Apart from validating smart grid technology, KEMA's state-of-the-art lab will help utilities understand interoperability standards. Utilities will be also able to integrate new technologies with existing assets. A suite of KEMA's own tools and technologies are leveraged by the SGIL. Various manufacturers in the areas of low-voltage automation devices, meters, and consumer products have also provided innovative new products to the SGIL. The industry's various testing standards and cutting-edge technologies will be advanced with help from the SGIL. The SGIL will be also instrumental in creating a national smart grid interoperability framework.

Attendees will be able to browse demonstrations by subject matter experts at the grand opening. They will be also able to network with KEMA management, industry stakeholders and featured guest speakers. The importance of interoperability for the future grid will be discussed at the opening.

KEMA has invited utility and manufacturing executives to share ideas at the opening. A live working smart grid environment can be also experienced at the opening.

The grand opening of the SGIL is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2011 between 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. The SGIL is located at 4580 Olympic Boulevard Erlanger, Kentucky 41018.