IEC TR 62357-1:2016

Overview

IEC TR 62357-1:2016 - "Power systems management and associated information exchange - Part 1: Reference architecture" defines a layered reference architecture and road map for standards that enable open, interoperable interactions across the electricity value chain (generation, transmission, distribution, DER, and consumers). This second edition updates the architecture model and aligns the IEC portfolio - notably the IEC 61850 series and the CIM family (IEC 61968, IEC 61970, IEC 62325) - to improve global efficiency, interoperability and applicability to real utility projects.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Layered Reference Architecture: A structured, SGAM-based (Smart Grid Architecture Model) approach with levels of abstraction to guide consistent design and future standards development.
• Architectural methodology: Use-case driven mapping, SGAM plane, and profile/message modeling to ensure consistent interfaces across systems.
• Data modelling and harmonization: Guidance to align information models (CIM and IEC 61850 data modelling) and define clear profiles for message exchange and data transformation.
• Interoperability: Interface Reference Models (IRM) and profiles that promote vendor-neutral integration between substations, control centres, DERs and market systems.
• Security landscape: Overview of security requirements and relationships with IEC security standards (including IEC 62351 family), resilience measures and mapping security controls to system domains.
• Telecommunication applicability: Applicability statements for communications technologies across Smart Grid sub-networks and recommendations for OT/IT separation and design.
• Standards road map and future work: Prioritized areas such as digitalization, data harmonization and further standard coverage.

Practical applications and who uses it

IEC TR 62357-1 is a strategic guidance document for:

• Utilities and grid operators planning interoperable system upgrades (substation automation, control centre integration, DER connection).
• System integrators and vendors designing compliant devices, profiles or message formats.
• Architects and enterprise IT/OT teams developing model-driven or TOGAF-based enterprise architectures for power systems.
• Regulators and standards bodies seeking a harmonized roadmap and alignment of IEC standards.
• Project managers mapping use cases to standard-based implementations to reduce integration cost and vendor lock-in.

Practical uses include interoperability planning between IEC 61850 devices and CIM-based enterprise systems, secure telecontrol designs, DER integration patterns, and mapping present architectures to the IEC reference model.

Related standards

• IEC 61850 (substation automation, device models)
• IEC 61970 / IEC 61968 / IEC 62325 (CIM - network model, distribution, market interfaces)
• IEC 62351 (security for power system communications)
• SGAM (Smart Grid Architecture Model) and model-driven architecture approaches referenced for implementation guidance

Keywords: IEC TR 62357-1:2016, reference architecture, power systems management, information exchange, IEC 61850, CIM, interoperability, SGAM, IEC 62351, DER integration.