New Standard Communication Model Enables Grid Operators to Enhance Performance, Value of Distributed Energy Resources PALO ALTO, Calif. (January 14, 2019) – A collaborative team published a new Application Note, , to help grid operators communicate with distributed energy resources (DER) and enhance use and value of energy storage and solar generation connected to smart inverters. Led by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the group includes the DNP Users Group, the MESA Standards Alliance (MESA), SunSpec Alliance, EnerNex, and Xanthus Consulting, and is funded in part by the California Energy Commission (CEC).