Successful implementation of the Smart Grid will require communication and cooperation with consumer products. These products must be able to respond to changes in grid conditions such as energy prices, critical peaks, and other curtailment events.

A variety of communication standards and technologies are being deployed to extend the Smart Grid beyond the meter into the home. Smart Grid information may reach the home through diverse means (e.g. AMI system, cellular, FM radio, Internet, paging, power-line carrier, etc), each being optimal under different utility circumstances. Within the home, these signals may be received directly by individual end devices, or may end at the meter or an energy system interface.

The term USNAP is an acronym for Universal Smart Network Access Port, a simple, yet cost effective solution that enables any HAN (Home Area Network) standard, present and future, to smart meters, energy gateways or other devices within the home. By providing industry with a protocol independent serial interface, it is possible to extend the Smart Grid directly to energy aware consumer products.

The USNAP framework utilizes a standard modular interface that enables products to be compatible with any communication network
through plug-in communication modules. This simple socket interface  enables utilities and energy service providers to freely choose and evolve their communication systems, while maintaining compatibility with all end devices. Similarly, consumers are free to select and employ the kinds of systems they prefer, or none at all, without having unnecessary or undesired costs passed their way.

This innovative approach frees vendors from having to create derivatives of standard products in order to support the various protocols used in Smart Grid deployments. For utilities, this means that they can select the Smart Meter that best fits its metering goals and also have confidence that that same meter, with a code download, can meet its present and future goals. For regulators, this means that AMI programs can be deployed quickly, while addressing concerns about compatibility and field upgrades.

The USNAP Alliance is rapidly gaining support by Smart Grid stakeholders worldwide, including utilities, metering & AMI suppliers, device manufacturers, industry consultants and regulators. In order to accelerate standardization efforts, specifications available and consumers are now able to purchase compatible products through retail and on-line stores for managing their homes and energy consumption.