**Evaluate this session. **
To meet the challenges and changes confronting 21st century distribution utilities’ transition toward a more renewable and distributed energy future, three forward thinking utilities are utilizing Open Field Message Bus (OpenFMB)—a standardized, technology neutral interoperability framework and communications paradigm—to unlock value by connecting devices at the grid edge while enhancing grid resilience. Panelists from Avista, Duke Energy and San Diego Gas & Electric discuss: a customer-centric platform to enable a variety of shared values, including personalized energy products and services; interoperable telecommunications between grid devices and DERs; and pilot testing of the IEC 61850 series of standards for substations, distribution circuits and utility interoperability of DERs.