psXML: A New XML-based Standard Protocol for Service-oriented, Open Architecture of Consumer Portal

RConsumer Portal is defined as "a combination of hardware and software that enables two-way communication between energy service providers(ESP, like KEPCO) and equipment within the consumer`s premises". The portal provides both a physical link(between wires, radio waves, and other media) and a logical link(translating among language-like codes and etiquette-like protocols) between in-building and wide-area access networks. Thus, the consumer portal is an important, open public shared infrastructure in the future vision of energy services. This paper presents an XML based standard specification of service-oriented, open protocol for consumer portal system architecture. In the framework level, the XML protocol provides a useful bridge between services and platforms. The proposed standard protocol has been implemented into our developing consumer portal pilot system. The results imply the potential of global standards for consumer portal system by its minimum overhead in network and processor. The reposed XML is designated psXML in this paper.