EN IEC 61968-1:2020

Application integration at electric utilities - System interfaces for distribution management - Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations

IEC 61968-1:2020 is the first in a series that, taken as a whole, defines interfaces for the major elements of an interface architecture for power system management and associated information exchange. This document identifies and establishes recommendations for standard interfaces based on an Interface Reference Model (IRM). Subsequent clauses of this document are based on each interface identified in the IRM. This set of standards is limited to the definition of interfaces. They provide for interoperability among different computer systems, platforms, and languages. IEC 61968-100 gives recommendations for methods and technologies to be used to implement functionality conforming to these interfaces. As used in IEC 61968, distribution management consists of various distributed application components for the utility to manage electrical distribution networks. These capabilities include monitoring and control of equipment for power delivery, management processes to ensure system reliability, voltage management, demand-side management, outage management, work management, network model management, facilities management, and metering. The IRM is specified in Clause 3. The IRM defines the high-level view of the TC 57 reference architecture and the detailed in the relevant 61968 series, 61970 series or 62325 series. The goal of the IRM is to provide a common relevant context view for TC 57 that covers domains like transmission, distribution, market, generation, consumer, regional reliability operators, and regulators. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) update of IRM section, which has been out of date since the 2nd edition; b) update to IRM model using ArchiMate modelling language; c) addition of missing business functions and business objects; d) alignment with newly released documents from the technical committee; e) alignment with IEC 61968-100; f) update of annexes.

Integration von Anwendungen in Anlagen der Elektrizitätsversorgung - Systemschnittstellen für Netzführung - Teil 1: Schnittstellenarchitektur und allgemeine Anforderungen

Intégration d'applications pour les services électriques - Interfaces système pour la gestion de la distribution - Partie 1: Architecture des interfaces et recommandations générales

IEC 61968-1:2020 est la première d'une série qui, prise dans son ensemble, définit les interfaces pour les éléments principaux d'une architecture d'interface pour la gestion des systèmes électriques et les échanges d'informations associés. Le présent document identifie et établit des recommandations pour des interfaces normalisées reposant sur un modèle d'interface de référence (IRM). Les articles suivants de ce document reposent sur chaque interface identifiée dans le modèle IRM. Cet ensemble de normes se limite à la définition des interfaces. Celles-ci assurent l'interopérabilité entre les différents systèmes informatiques, plateformes et langages. L'IEC 61968-100 fournit des recommandations concernant les méthodes et technologies à utiliser pour mettre en œuvre une fonctionnalité conforme à ces interfaces. Au sens de l'IEC 61968, la gestion de la distribution repose sur plusieurs composants d'application distribués qui permettent à l'entreprise de gérer ses réseaux de distribution électriques. Ces fonctions incluent la surveillance et la commande des équipements de fourniture d'énergie, les processus de gestion qui assurent la fiabilité du système, la gestion de la tension, la gestion de la demande, la gestion des interruptions de service, la gestion des travaux, la gestion des modèles de réseau, la gestion des installations et le comptage. Le modèle IRM est spécifié à l'Article 3. Le modèle IRM définit la vue générale de l'architecture de référence du CE 57 et la vue détaillée dans la série 61968, 61970 ou 62325 pertinente. L'objectif du modèle IRM est de fournir un contexte pertinent commun pour le CE 57 qui couvre différents domaines comme le transport, la distribution, le marché, la production, les consommateurs et les opérations de fiabilité régionales. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2012. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: a) mise à jour du paragraphe traitant du modèle d'interface de référence (IRM) qui était obsolète depuis la deuxième édition; b) mise à jour du modèle d'interface de référence à l'aide du langage de modélisation ArchiMate; c) ajout de fonctions métier et d'objets métier manquants; d) alignement sur les documents du comité d'études récemment publiés; e) alignement sur le contenu de l'IEC 61968-100; f) mise à jour des annexes.

Združevanje aplikacij pri oskrbi z električno enegijo - Sistemski vmesniki za upravljanje omrežja - 1. del: Arhitektura vmesnikov in splošna priporočila

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Jun-2020
• ICS: 33.200 - Telecontrol. Telemetering
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 57 - Power systems management and associated information exchange
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 57 - IEC_TC_57
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 19-Jun-2020
• Completion Date: 19-Jun-2020
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 61968-1:2020 - Application integration at electric utilities - System interfaces for distribution management - Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations

Relations

• Replaces: EN 61968-1:2013 - Application integration at electric utilities - System interfaces for distribution management - Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations
• Effective Date: 25-Dec-2018

Overview

EN IEC 61968-1:2020 - Application integration at electric utilities - Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations - defines the high-level Interface Reference Model (IRM) for distribution management systems. This third edition (2020) is a technical revision of the 2013 version and focuses on specifying standard system interfaces to enable interoperability among utility software components, platforms and languages. It establishes recommended interface profiles, information exchange patterns, and general guidance while leaving specific implementation technologies to related documents (notably IEC 61968-100).

Key technical topics and requirements

• Interface Reference Model (IRM): Defines domains, business functions and interface boundaries used across distribution management (network operations, asset management, customer management, outage/work management, metering, etc.).
• Updated modelling approach: IRM updated and modelled using ArchiMate; includes added business functions and business objects.
• Interface profiles and architecture: Guidance on business function profiles, application/middleware adapters, communication and platform environment considerations.
• Information exchange model: Message structures, extension and compliance philosophy to ensure consistent data exchange.
• Component reporting, error handling and performance: Recommendations for reporting, error messages and inter-application performance considerations.
• Security and authentication: High-level requirements for securing messages and authenticating components (with cross-reference to IEC security standards).
• Maintenance and lifecycle: Guidance on maintaining interfaces and evolving profiles.
• Technical alignment: Harmonized with other TC57 standards (IEC 61968 series, IEC 61970, IEC 62325, IEC 62351) and aligned with IEC 61968-100 implementation profiles.

Practical applications and who uses it

This standard is essential for:

• Electric utilities designing or modernizing distribution management systems (DMS) to enable modular applications and vendor-neutral integration.
• System integrators and software vendors implementing interoperable interfaces, adapters and middleware for SCADA, outage management, ADMS, OMS, AMI and GIS integration.
• Architects and planners developing interface architectures, data exchange strategies and CIM extensions for distribution.
• Regulators and regional operators that require consistent integration practices across market, transmission and distribution domains.

Practical benefits include reduced integration costs, improved vendor interoperability, clearer system boundaries, and a pathway to implement consistent CIM-based data models and message exchanges.

Related standards

• IEC 61968 series (parts 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 100)
• IEC 61970 series (power system modelling)
• IEC 62325 series (market communications)
• IEC 62351 series (security for power system communications)

Keywords: application integration, distribution management, system interfaces, Interface Reference Model, IEC 61968-1:2020, interoperability, CIM, ArchiMate, implementation profiles.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 61968-1:2013
Združevanje aplikacij pri oskrbi z električno enegijo - Sistemski vmesniki za
upravljanje omrežja - 1. del: Arhitektura vmesnikov in splošna priporočila
Application integration at electric utilities - System interfaces for distribution management
- Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations
Integration von Anwendungen in Anlagen der Elektrizitätsversorgung -
Systemschnittstellen für Netzführung - Teil 13: Allgemeine Profile zur Modellierung von
Verteilnetzen
Intégration d'applications pour les services électriques - Interfaces système pour la
gestion de la distribution - Partie 1: Architecture des interfaces et recommandations
générales
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61968-1:2020
ICS:
29.240.30 Krmilna oprema za Control equipment for electric
elektroenergetske sisteme power systems
35.200 Vmesniška in povezovalna Interface and interconnection
oprema equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61968-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
June 2020
ICS 33.200 Supersedes EN 61968-1:2013 and all of its amendments
and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Application integration at electric utilities - System interfaces for
distribution management - Part 1: Interface architecture and
general recommendations
(IEC 61968-1:2020)
Intégration d'applications pour les services électriques - Integration von Anwendungen in Anlagen der
Interfaces système pour la gestion de la distribution - Partie Elektrizitätsversorgung - Systemschnittstellen für
1: Architecture des interfaces et recommandations Netzführung - Teil 13: Allgemeine Profile zur Modellierung
générales von Verteilnetzen
(IEC 61968-1:2020) (IEC 61968-1:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-06-03. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 61968-1:2020 E

European foreword
The text of document 57/2174/FDIS, future edition 3 of IEC 61968-1, prepared by IEC/TC 57 "Power
systems management and associated information exchange" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC
parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 61968-1:2020.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-03-03
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-06-03
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 61968-1:2013 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61968-1:2020 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:
IEC 61968-4 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 61968-4
IEC 61968-6 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61968-6
IEC 61968-8 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61968-8
IEC 61970-301 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61970-301
IEC 61970-501 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61970-501
IEC 61970-552 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61970-552
IEC 62325 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62325 (series)
IEC 62325-301 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62325-301
IEC 62325-450 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62325-450
IEC 62325-503 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62325-503
IEC 62351 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 62351 (series)
IEC 62361-100 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62361-100
IEC 62559-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62559-2
ISO 19125 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 19125 (series)
ISO 19115 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 19115 (series)

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 61968-3 -  Application integration at electric utilities – EN IEC 61968-3 -
System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 3: Interface for
network operations
IEC 61968-4 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN IEC 61968-4 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 4: Interfaces for
records and asset management
1 2
IEC 61968-5 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN IEC 61968-5 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 5: Distributed energy
optimization
IEC 61968-6 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN 61968-6 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 6: Interfaces for
maintenance and construction
IEC 61968-8 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN 61968-8 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 8: Interfaces for
customer operations
IEC 61968-9 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN 61968-9 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 9: Interfaces for meter
reading and control
IEC 61968-11 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN 61968-11 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 11: Common
information model (CIM) extensions for
distribution
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC/AFDIS 61968-5:2019.
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: FprEN IEC 61968-5:2019
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 61968-13 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN 61968-13 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 13: CIM RDF Model
exchange format for distribution
IEC 61968-100 -  Application integration at electric utilities - EN 61968-100 -
System interfaces for distribution
management - Part 100: Implementation
profiles
IEC 62351-11 -  Power systems management and EN 62351-11 -
associated information exchange - Data
and communications security - Part 11:
Security for XML documents
IEC/TR 62361--  Power systems management and - -
103:2018 associated information exchange -
Interoperability in the long term - Part 103:
Standard profiling
IEC 61968-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution

management –
Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations

Intégration d'applications pour les services électriques – Interfaces système

pour la gestion de la distribution –

Partie 1: Architecture des interfaces et recommandations générales

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.240.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-7915-1

– 2 – IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 10
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms and definitions . 11
3.5 Abbreviated terms . 12
4 Interface reference model . 12
4.1 Domain . 12
4.2 Business functions . 13
4.3 Interface reference model . 13
4.3.1 General . 13
4.3.2 Asset Management (AM) . 14
4.3.3 Customer Management (CM) . 19
4.3.4 Emergency Simulation (ES) . 22
4.3.5 End Device Operation (EDO) . 25
4.3.6 Engineering Design Management (EDM) . 27
4.3.7 Fault Management (FM) . 34
4.3.8 Compliance Management (CO) . 37
4.3.9 Market Operation (MO) . 39
4.3.10 Market Settlement (MS) . 42
4.3.11 Network Model Management (NMM) . 45
4.3.12 Network Operation (NO) . 48
4.3.13 Predictive Operation Planning (POP) . 54
4.3.14 Retail Market Operation (RMO) . 59
4.3.15 System Development Planning (SDP) . 61
4.3.16 Work Management (WM) . 64
4.3.17 External to IEC . 68
4.4 General . 75
4.5 Requirements analysis methodology . 75
5 Interface profile . 75
5.1 General . 75
5.2 Business function . 76
5.3 Application adapter . 77
5.4 Interface specification . 78
5.5 Middleware adapter . 78
5.6 Middleware service . 79
5.7 Communication service . 80
5.8 Platform environment . 80
6 Information exchange model . 80
6.1 General requirements . 80
6.2 Message structures . 81
6.2.1 General . 81
6.2.2 Compliance philosophy . 81
6.2.3 Extension . 82
7 Component reporting and error handling . 82

IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
7.1 Component reporting . 82
7.2 Error message handling . 83
8 Security and authentication . 83
9 Maintenance aspects . 84
Annex A (informative) Use of IEC 61968 series of standards . 85
A.1 General . 85
A.2 Application of IEC 61968 series by a product vendor . 85
A.3 Application of IEC 61968 series by a utility . 85
A.4 Establish interface architecture . 87
A.5 Define generic use cases . 88
A.6 Message type verbs . 88
A.7 Development of CIM model extensions for distribution . 88
Annex B (informative) Inter-application integration performance considerations . 89
Annex C (informative) Views of data in a conventional electric utility . 90
C.1 General . 90
C.2 Classification . 90
C.3 Identification . 91
Annex D (informative) Relevant ArchiMate definitions for IRM . 93
D.1 General . 93
D.2 Business role . 93
D.3 Business function . 94
D.4 Business object. 94
D.5 Data object . 95
D.6 Composition relationship . 95
D.7 Aggregation relationship . 96
D.8 Realization relationship . 96
D.9 Access relationship . 96
D.10 Specialization relationship . 97
Annex E (informative) ED2 Interface profile mapping to ArchiMate . 98
E.1 ED2 Interface profile . 98
E.2 ArchiMate interface profile . 98
E.3 Mapping between the 61968-1:2012 IRM and ArchiMate Used for ED3 . 100
Bibliography . 102

Figure 1 – High-level IEC IRM business functions . 7
Figure 2 – Defined business function for Interface Reference Model (IRM) . 13
Figure 3 – Asset management business functions and business objects . 16
Figure 4 – Customer management business functions and business objects . 20
Figure 5 – Emergency simulation training business functions and business objects . 23
Figure 6 – End device operation business functions and business objects . 25
Figure 7 – Engineering design management business functions and business objects . 29
Figure 8 – Break down of detail engineering and detail design . 30
Figure 9 – Fault management business functions and business objects . 35
Figure 10 – Compliance management business functions and business objects . 37
Figure 11 – Market operation business functions and business objects . 40
Figure 12 – Market settlement business functions and business objects . 43

– 4 – IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020
Figure 13 – Network model management business functions and business objects . 46
Figure 14 – Network operation business functions and business objects . 49
Figure 15 – Predictive operation planning business functions and business objects . 55
Figure 16 – Retail market operation business functions and business objects . 60
Figure 17 – System development planning business functions and business objects . 62
Figure 18 – Work management business functions and business objects . 65
Figure 19 – External to IEC business functions and business objects . 69
Figure 20 – Overview of the interface profile and corresponding subclause numbers . 76
Figure 21 – Manage Work Business Process Example . 76
Figure 22 – WorkRequest Data Object Example . 77
Figure 23 – Application Process Sequence Diagram Example . 78
Figure A.1 – Process A: Application of IEC 61968 series by a utility. 86
Figure A.2 – Process B: application of IEC 61968 series by a utility . 87
Figure C.1 – Database views depend on the time and user . 91
Figure D.1 – Business role notation . 93
Figure D.2 – Business function notation . 94
Figure D.3 – Business object notation . 95
Figure D.4 – Data object notation . 95
Figure D.5 – Composition notation . 96
Figure D.6 – Aggregation notation . 96
Figure D.7 – Realization notation . 96
Figure D.8 – Access notation . 97
Figure D.9 – Specialization notation . 97
Figure D.10 – Specialization . 97
Figure E.1 – Overview of the interface profile in IEC 61968-1:2012 and corresponding
subclause numbers . 98
Figure E.2 – Simplified Mapping between the ArchiMate Language and the TOGAF

ADM . 99
Figure E.3 – Decomposition of the different layer to passive structure, behaviour and
active structure . 100

Table 1 – Document overview for IEC 61968-1 . 9
Table B.1 – Typical load scenario . 89

IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
APPLICATION INTEGRATION AT ELECTRIC UTILITIES –
SYSTEM INTERFACES FOR DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT –

Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61968-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 57: Power
systems management and associated information exchange.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) update of IRM section, which has been out of date since the 2nd edition;
b) update to IRM model using ArchiMate modelling language;
c) addition of missing business functions and business objects;
d) alignment with newly released documents from the technical committee;
e) alignment with IEC 61968-100;

– 6 – IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020
f) update of annexes.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
57/2174/FDIS 57/2186/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61968 series, published under the general title Application
integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution management, can be found
on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
IEC 61968 is a series of standards:
IEC 61968 Title
part
1 Interface architecture and general recommendations
2 Glossary
3 Interface for network operation
4 Interface for records and asset management
5 Interface standard for operational planning and optimisation
6 Interface for maintenance and construction
Interface standard for network extension planning
8 Interface standard for customer support
9 Interface for meter reading and control
11 Common information model (CIM) extensions for distribution
13 CIM RDF model exchange format for distribution
100 Implementation profiles
The IEC 61968 series is intended to facilitate inter-application integration, as opposed to
intra-application integration of the various distributed software application systems supporting
the management of utility electrical distribution networks. Intra-application integration is aimed
at programs in the same application system, usually communicating with each other using
middleware that is embedded in their underlying runtime environment. Additionally, the intra-
application integration tends to be optimized for close, real-time, synchronous connections
and interactive request/reply or conversation communication models. The IEC 61968 series
by contrast, is intended to support the inter-application integration of a utility enterprise that
needs to connect disparate applications that are already built or new (legacy or purchased
applications) each supported by dissimilar runtime environments. Therefore, the IEC 61968
series is relevant to loosely coupled applications with more heterogeneity in languages,
operating systems, protocols, and management tools. The IEC 61968 series is intended to
support applications that need to exchange data on an event driven basis. The IEC 61968
series is also intended to be implemented with middleware services that broker messages
among applications and complementing, but not replacing, utility data warehouses, database
gateways, and operational stores.

Figure 1 – High-level IEC IRM business functions
____________
Under consideration.
– 8 – IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020
Figure 1 clarifies the scope of IEC IRM in terms of business functions.
As used in the IEC 61968 series, distribution management consists of various distributed
application components for the utility to manage electrical distribution networks. These
capabilities include monitoring and control of equipment for power delivery, management
processes to ensure system reliability, voltage management, demand-side management,
outage management, work management, and network model management. The distribution
management system could also be integrated with premise area networks (PAN) through an
advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network. Standard interfaces are to be defined for
each class of applications identified in Clause 3, Interface Reference Model (IRM), except for
those in the group EXT (External to IEC).
In the distribution management domain it is important to keep in mind the basic meaning of
the following terms:
• management: effective regulation and direction;
• automation: working without human participation in accordance with pre-defined rule sets;
• system: a set of organized operations working to support a particular activity (set of
applications). Generally, a system in the context of this work is a computer-based
technology.
In the world of integrated systems, systems can also be a subset of a larger system, a system
of systems or a set of federated systems. A system composed of coordinating subsystems
may support activities more efficiently than the subsystems operating independently.
As the size of an organisation increases so does the complexity of the tasks and information
exchange associated with the tasks. Furthermore, the deeper the data structure is within a
system the less transparent it is to the end user. This suggests the need for data stewardship
to avoid:
• errors arising from multiple points of data entry;
• lack of consistency with software interfaces;
• expensive changes with new or upgraded software;
• loss of governance of authorised data.
The standardisation of data facilitates the reduction of errors, reduced time for data entry, and
improved process control.
The IEC 61968 series recommends that the semantics (domain model) of system interfaces of
a compliant utility inter-application infrastructure be defined using Unified Modelling Language
(UML).
The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a data format for structured document interchange,
particularly on the Internet. One of its primary uses is information exchange between different
and potentially incompatible computer systems. XML is currently recommended to define
grammar/syntax for profiles of a compliant utility inter-application infrastructure. A CIM profile,
in accordance with IEC TR 62361-103, is derived from the CIM canonical model, which is
maintained in the form of a logical information model using UML. Once defined, the profile can
be used to generate an associated schema definition, most commonly (but not exclusively) as
an XML Schema (XSD) or Resource Description Framework Schema (RDFS). The instance
data for given information exchange must then conform to the schema defined for the profile
in order to be valid. This can take into account additional restrictions that are defined for the
profile over what is defined by the CIM, as almost everything is otherwise optional in the CIM
by virtue of its role as a logical information model. Where applicable, IEC 61968-3 to -9
and -13 will define the information recommended for ‘message payloads’. Message payloads
will be formatted in accordance with industry requirements and technology development such
as XML Schema for IEC 61968-3 to -9 and RDF Schema for IEC 61968-13 with the intent that
these payloads can be exchanged using common integration technologies such as SOAP,

IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 9 –
JMS, RESTful HTTP, or Web Services (WS). It is the intent of the IEC 61968 series to be
leveraged by Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA) and to encourage the usage of Enterprise
Service Buses (ESB). In the future, it is possible that payload formats other than XML could
be officially adopted by the IEC 61968 series for specific parts or information exchanges.
The organization of IEC 61968-1 is described in Table 1.
Table 1 – Document overview for IEC 61968-1
Clause Title Purpose
1. Scope Scope of IEC 61968-1.
2. Normative references Documents that contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this International Standard.
3. Terms and definitions The terms and definitions relevant to IEC 61968 series is described.
4. Interface reference The domain relevant to IEC 61968 series is described. For each relevant
model business function, a list of abstract components is provided, which is
described by the functions performed by the component. Parts IEC 61968-
3 to -9 define interfaces for these abstract components.
5. Interface profile Utility inter-application integration environmental requirements are
described. Abstract message passing services are defined and are
available for applications to communicate information to other applications,
including publish and subscribe services.
6. Information exchange Requirements and recommendations are provided for information
model exchange between applications/functions listed in the IRM.
7. Component reporting Recommendations for audit trails and error message handling
and error handling authentication necessary to support utility inter-application integration are
described.
8. Security and Recommendations for security and authentication necessary to support
authentication utility inter-application integration are described.
9. Maintenance aspects General maintenance recommendations are specified.
Informative Use of IEC 61968 series The methodology used to determine interface architecture
Annex A recommendations for utility inter-application integration is described.
Informative Inter-application Some typical performance recommendations necessary to support utility
Annex B integration performance inter-application integration are described. These recommendations are of
considerations a general nature as specific implementation requirements will vary by
utility.
Informative Views of data in a This annex describes some of the underlying principles of defining the
Annex C conventional electric reference data dictionary of IEC 61968-11.
utility
Informative Relevant ArchiMate This annex describes the ArchiMate notations used in the IEC 61968-1
Annex D Definitions for IRM IRM modelling.
Informative 61968:ED2 Interface This annex provides the mapping between the 61968-1:2012 ED2 Interface
Annex E profile mapping to profile and ArchiMate 3.0 from Open Group Standard that is used for this
ArchiMate Edition (ED3).
– 10 – IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020
APPLICATION INTEGRATION AT ELECTRIC UTILITIES –
SYSTEM INTERFACES FOR DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT –

Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61968 is the first in a series that, taken as a whole, defines interfaces for the
major elements of an interface architecture for power system management and associated
information exchange.
This document identifies and establishes recommendations for standard interfaces based on
an Interface Reference Model (IRM). Subsequent clauses of this document are based on each
interface identified in the IRM. This set of standards is limited to the definition of interfaces.
They provide for interoperability among different computer systems, platforms, and languages.
IEC 61968-100 gives recommendations for methods and technologies to be used to
implement functionality conforming to these interfaces.
As used in IEC 61968, distribution management consists of various distributed application
components for the utility to manage electrical distribution networks. These capabilities
include monitoring and control of equipment for power delivery, management processes to
ensure system reliability, voltage management, demand-side management, outage
management, work management, network model management, facilities management, and
metering. The IRM is specified in Clause 3. The IRM defines the high-level view of the TC 57
reference architecture and the detailed in the relevant 61968 series, 61970 series or 62325
series. The goal of the IRM is to provide a common relevant context view for TC 57 that
covers domains like transmission, distribution, market, generation, consumer, regional
reliability operators, and regulators.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 61968-3, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 3: Interface for network operations
IEC 61968-4, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 4: Interfaces for records and asset management
IEC 61968-5, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 5: Distributed energy optimization
IEC 61968-6, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 6: Interfaces for maintenance and construction
IEC 61968-8, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 8: Interfaces for customer operations
____________
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC/AFDIS 61968-5:2019.

IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 11 –
IEC 61968-9, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 9: Interfaces for meter reading and control
IEC 61968-11, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 11: Common information model (CIM) extensions for distribution
IEC 61968-13, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 13: CIM RDF Model exchange format for distribution
IEC 61968-100, Application integration at electric utilities – System interfaces for distribution
management – Part 100: Implementation profiles
IEC 62351-11, Power systems management and associated information exchange – Data and
communications security – Part 11: Security for XML documents
IEC TR 62361-103, Power systems management and associated information exchange –
Interoperability in the long term – Part 103: Standard profiling
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
Where there is a difference between the definitions in this standard and those contained in
other referenced IEC standards, then those defined in IEC 61968-2 shall take precedence
over the others listed, and those defined in IEC 61968-1 shall take precedence over those
defined in IEC 61968-2.
3.1
DMS
Distribution Management System
system consisting of various distributed application components for the utility to manage
electrical distribution networks
Note 1 to entry: These capabilities include monitoring and control of equipment for power delivery, management
processes to ensure system reliability, voltage management, demand-side management, outage management,
work management, automated mapping and facilities management.
3.2
IRM
Interface Reference Model
standard interfaces for TC 57 cover domains like transmission, distribution, market,
generation, consumer, regional reliability operators, and regulators defined using The Open
Group ArchiMate standard
Note 1 to entry
...