IEC 61970-456:2018

Overview

IEC 61970-456:2018 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies energy management system application program interfaces (EMS-API) for exchanging solved power system state profiles. This standard rigorously defines a specific subset of Common Information Model (CIM) classes, attributes, and roles needed to describe results from state estimation, power flow, and similar steady-state power system analysis applications. The standard is designed for both data producers and recipients, enabling efficient, accurate, and consistent exchange of crucial steady-state solution data in electric power networks.

A key strength of IEC 61970-456:2018 is its modular approach, supporting the partitioning of large data sets and enabling scalable, interoperable, and reliable communication between diverse energy management systems and their components. This flexibility is vital for utilities, systems operators, and application developers working with complex network analyses, facilitating better coordination across organizations and software platforms.

Key Topics

• CIM-based Profiles: Defines three core CIM profiles for steady-state power systems analysis:

  • Steady State Hypothesis (SSH) Profile: Captures application input variables such as voltage setpoints and switch statuses.
  • Topology (TP) Profile: Describes the processed network topology (e.g., bus-branch models).
  • State Variables (SV) Profile: Contains the results from power system analysis, such as outputs from state estimation or power flow calculations.

• Data Partitioning and Model Authority: Supports partitioning of network data into smaller, manageable datasets, governed by modular Model Authority Sets (MAS) and corresponding to specific network parts. This modularization optimizes both the storage and transmission of data.

• Interoperability and Extensibility: Ensures compatibility between planning and operational environments by standardizing both input and output data structures. Different business processes-such as power flow studies and real-time operations-can seamlessly integrate results without redundant data exchange.

• XML and CIMXML Formatting: While the standard itself is method-agnostic regarding data exchange, it assumes and recommends the use of XML formatted according to the CIMXML schema, as specified in IEC 61970-552. This enables consistent, machine-readable data exchange.

• Support for Various Use Cases: IEC 61970-456:2018 provides foundational definitions that support a wide range of business scenarios, including transfer and reuse of network model data between planning and operational systems and among different organizations and regions.

Applications

• State Estimation and Power Flow Analysis: Facilitates the exchange of solved state data sets-vital for transmission system operators, utilities, and market participants requiring accurate and up-to-date network states for operational decisions and planning analyses.

• Inter-Utility Data Exchange: Enables the secure and consistent sharing of network model portions and solved states between different utilities, especially at boundary interfaces.

• EMS and DMS Interoperability: Supports integration of Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Distribution Management Systems (DMS) by offering standardized profiles for initial conditions and calculation results.

• Planning and Operations Integration: By aligning profiles and data models, the standard promotes closer coordination and data reuse between planning studies and real-time operations, fostering more efficient and resilient grid management.

• Compliance and Integration: Implementation of IEC 61970-456:2018 supports industry best practices for compliance with international standardization and enhances opportunities for advanced grid analytics and smart grid initiatives.

Related Standards

IEC 61970-456:2018 operates as part of a broader suite of CIM-based standards for energy management interoperability:

• IEC 61970-452: CIM static transmission network model profiles-details equipment and their connectivity.
• IEC 61970-453: Diagram layout profile-defines how to exchange display layout information.
• IEC 61970-552: CIMXML Model exchange format-specifies XML-based serialization methods for model data.
• IEC 61970-451 (future work): Will address the transfer of SCADA measurements to EMS applications.

Together, these standards build a comprehensive framework for the effective exchange and management of power system information, supporting modern, interconnected, and data-driven energy networks.

Keywords: IEC 61970-456, EMS-API, solved power system state profiles, CIM, state estimation, power flow, interoperability, steady-state solution, modular data exchange, network model, XML, CIMXML, energy management system, transmission network.