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a) update of IRM section, which has been out of date since the 2nd edition;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.

Intégration d'applications pour les services électriques - Interfaces système pour la gestion de 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Apr-2020
• ICS: 33.060.20 - Receiving and transmitting equipment
• ICS: 33.200 - Telecontrol. Telemetering
• Technical Committee: TC 57 - Power systems management and associated information exchange
• Drafting Committee: WG 14 - TC 57/WG 14
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 29-Apr-2020
• Completion Date: 20-Mar-2020

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61968-1:2012 - Application integration at electric utilities - System interfaces for distribution management - Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 61968-1:2020 is a key international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), focusing on application integration at electric utilities. Specifically targeting distribution management systems (DMS), this third edition outlines the system interface architecture and provides general recommendations for interoperability across power distribution networks. It defines a comprehensive Interface Reference Model (IRM) to enable seamless information exchange among heterogeneous utility software applications, platforms, and technologies. As the foundational part of the IEC 61968 series, this edition updates previous models using the ArchiMate modeling language, expands business functions and objects, and aligns with related standards such as IEC 61968-100.

Key Topics

• Interface Reference Model (IRM): Describes a high-level view of system interfaces for electric utility distribution management, covering domains like asset management, customer management, fault management, network operation, and market operations.

• Business Function Standardization: Defines business functions and corresponding business objects for distributed application components in distribution management to ensure consistent data handling and communication.

• Interoperability Framework: Focuses on enabling interoperability between diverse computer systems, platforms, and programming languages by specifying standardized interface profiles and implementation guidelines.

• Information Exchange Model: Covers message structures, compliance philosophy, and data extension methods, ensuring robust and flexible data communication between utility applications.

• Security and Error Handling: Addresses component reporting, error message handling, security, and authentication aspects to maintain system integrity and operational reliability.

• Maintenance and Performance: Discusses ongoing maintenance considerations and performance optimization for inter-application integration in electric utility environments.

Applications

IEC 61968-1:2020 is widely applicable in the electric utility industry for designing, developing, and deploying integrated distribution management systems with interoperable components. Practical applications include:

• Utility System Integration: Facilitates integration of legacy and modern applications managing electric power distribution networks.

• Distribution Network Automation: Supports real-time monitoring, control, and management of distribution grid components to improve reliability and operational efficiency.

• Outage and Fault Management: Enhances coordination between applications responsible for fault detection, isolation, and restoration through standardized data exchanges.

• Demand-Side Management: Enables communication between customer management and network operation systems for better load balancing and energy efficiency initiatives.

• Market and Settlement Operations: Provides a common interface architecture supporting interconnected systems for retail market operation and financial settlements.

• Regulatory Compliance: Aligns electric distribution system interfaces with industry regulations via compliance management functions specified in the IRM.

Related Standards

IEC 61968-1:2020 is part of a broader family of IEC TC 57 standards designed to harmonize electric utility systems and facilitate interoperability:

• IEC 61968 Series: Focuses on system interfaces for distribution management with multiple parts defining specific interfaces and protocols.

• IEC 61970 Series: Addresses energy management system application program interfaces, complementing 61968 in transmission and distribution contexts.

• IEC 62325 Series: Covers standards for electricity market communications, supporting market operations referenced in 61968-1.

• IEC 61968-100: Provides implementation guidelines and recommended technologies for fulfilling the functional requirements of the standardized interfaces.

By adhering to IEC 61968-1:2020 and related standards, electric utilities can achieve more agile, scalable, and interoperable distribution management systems capable of supporting smart grid initiatives and improving operational excellence in power delivery.

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Keywords: IEC 61968-1, electric utilities, application integration, distribution management system, interface architecture, interoperability, power system management, Interface Reference Model, IEC standards, smart grid, asset management, fault management, network operation, market operation.

Standards Content (Sample)

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

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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

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

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
APPLICATION INTEGRATION AT ELECTRIC UTILITIES –
SYSTEM INTERFACES FOR DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT –

Part 1: Interface architecture and general recommendations

FOREWORD
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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.
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,

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 61968-9, 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: The high-level view defined in 61968-1 Interface Architecture and General Requirements, defines
the Business Layer context model using Business Function and Business Objects.
3.3
profiles
subset of the CIM used to define a specific message in a given context

– 12 – IEC 61968-1:2020 © IEC 2020
3.4
use case
specification of a set of actions performed by a system which yields an observable result that
is, typically, of value for one or more actors or other stakeholders of the system.
Note 1 to entry: There are two types of Use Cases:
• Business Use Cases describe how Business Roles interact to execute a business process. These processes
are derived from services, i.e. business transactions which have previously been identified.
• System Use Cases describe how System and/or Business Roles of a given system interact to perform a Smart
Grid Function required to enable / facilitate the business processes described in Business Use Cases. Their
purpose is to detail the execution of those processes from an Information System perspective.
Note 2 to entry: Since a Smart Grid Function can be used to enable / facilitate more than one business process, a
System Use Case can be linked to more than one Business Use Case.
[SOURCE: SG-CG/M490/E:2012-12]
3.5 Abbreviated terms
CIM Common Information Model
DER Distributed Energy Resource(s)
DERMS Distributed Energy Resources Management System
DMS Distribution Management System
EMS-API Energy Management System Application Program Interface
RDF Resource Description Framework
UML Unified modelling language
XML eXtended Markup Language
XSD XML Schema Definition
4 Interface reference model
4.1 Domain
Within this document, the distribution management domain covers all aspects of management
of utility electrical distribution networks. A distribution utility will have some or all of the
responsibility for 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 distribution management domain may be organised as two inter-related types of business,
electricity supply and electricity distribution. Electricity supply is concerned with the purchase
of electrical energy from bulk producers for sale to individual consumers. Electricity
distribution covers the management of the physical distribution network that connects the
producers and consumers. In some countries, the responsibility of organisations may be
legally restricted and certain sections of the document will be inapplicable.
A utility domain includes the software systems, equipment, staff and consumers of a single
utility organisation, which could be a company or a department. It is expected that within each
utility domain, the systems, equipment, staff and consumers can be uniquely identified. When
information is exchanged between two utility domains, then identifiers may need extending
with the identity of the utility organisation in order to guarantee global uniqueness.

4.2 Business functions
Various departments within a utility co-operate to perform the operation and management of a
power distribution network; this activity is termed distribution management. Other departments
within the organisation may support the distribution management function without having
direct responsibility for the distribution network. This segmentation by business function is
provided in the Interface Reference Model (IRM), which is described in detail in 4.3.
The use of a busin
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