CIM IT/OT
Integration Platform
CIM-Based Network Model Management
Verification
by Python or C# scripts
Baseline
for OMS solutions
IPS®NMM offers a single repository concept for all consumers of the Network Model; moreover, it supports multiple users, model parts, boundary parts, workspaces, and model assemblies. As opposed to simpler solutions that track only the current version of the network model, the IPS® solution offers a complete audit trail over each granular change in the network model.
A Common Information Model (CIM)-based Network Model Management (NMM) Solution provides and maintains valuable connectivity with users’ databases, data sources, applications, and Asset Management hierarchy. It effortlessly manages power system planning and development activities with the assurance of data quality and integrity and a fundamental single-source-of-truth basis.
CIM-Based Network Model Management Solution will ease integrations with your external sources of network and substation data, validate data before importing it, and maintain a full audit trail of changes. In addition, it will save time with Auto-Layout Diagrams Creation based on CIM Data.
Network Model Management – Ready for CIM CGMES 3.0
IPS ensures compliance with CIM CGMES 3.0 by supporting CIM profiles within CIM 16 (IEC 61970 and IEC 61968 standards), including profiles for power flow, dynamics, short-circuit analysis, and other relevant applications.
IPS actively participates in ENTSO-E CGMES 3.0 interoperability workshops to ensure seamless exchange of grid models and data among different utilities and systems and to demonstrate and to validate its compliance with CGMES 3.0.
During these workshops, IPS collaborates with other vendors, identifies potential interoperability issues, and stays updated on latest developments and best practices related to CGMES 3.0.
Features
IPS®NMM uses CIM 16 as its base, defined by the IEC 61970 and IEC 61968-4 standards and provides a standardized framework for exchanging grid models and operational information among different enterprise systems in the electrical power industry.
Native CIM-based Data Repository
User Interface and visualization
Version Control System
Advanced validation rule engine and scripting
IPS stores CIM data in native format within its relations, classes, and attributes, which has a huge advantage in terms of data management flexibility and performance compared with triple-state databases or even flat files. IPS stores CIM data in its native format meaning that the IPS®NMM can store MRIDs and exchange CIM data without conversions or MRID recalculations.
Native CIM-based Data Repository
IPS®NMM model part explorer module provides user-friendly navigation either through the list of model parts, model part branches, and versions, or through graphical branch representation. IPS®NMM diagram view module provides a hierarchical rendering of CIM data using the equipment container’s hierarchy.
User Interface and visualization
The version control concept is far more than a simple data audit trail. It enables branching, merge, and rollback operations, and the versions are assigned to CIM change sets.
Version Control System
Validation module provides an infrastructure for a user to specify as many validation rules in runtime as necessary and store these in the IPS®NMM database. Once stored, the validation rules can be executed on-demand in any active model part version (model loaded to the application). Users can configure their own rules and scripts using Python or C# scripting. The validation rules are processed by the internal rule engine. IPS®NMM comes with out-of-the-box Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 ENTSO-E Validation Rules, which can be used to verify and validate data after it is created, approved, imported from enterprise data sources, or before being sent to network model consumers.
Advanced validation rule engine and scripting
SEE IT IN ACTION
It is best to see it in action – how simple it is to integrate a CIM-based Network Model Management solution with external network and substation data sources.
Integration capabilities
IPS® Identity Provider and Authorization Server
Best practices in Cyber Security Authentication and Authorization, transparent IPS® Identity and Access Management (IPS®IAM).
WebAPI
The IPS®NMM fully supports secure CIM-based integration via RESTful Web API or direct file exchange through import/export options. RESTful Web API allows the execution of internally stored Python scripts and validation rules; it also enables browsing and CIM-level CRUD operations on CIM objects. Storing data in its native CIM format eliminates conversions and ensures vendor-agnostic, seamless CIM CGMES interoperability, compatible with current and upcoming CIM CGMES 3.0 profile versions.
File Exchange
IPS®NMM supports the import and conversion of PSS®E .raw, .sec, and .dyn files to CIM and the reverse conversion back to PSS®E. Object registry data mapping between external systems ensures smooth integration.
Baseline for Outage Management System
Once a validated IPS®NMM model is in place, it can be shared or integrated across various systems, including the IPS CIM-based OMS system. IPS®OMS determines outage groups by engaging in a topological/connectivity search. It identifies which substations and topological elements are connected through specific overhead lines and conducting equipment. Afterward, it determines the associated assets and planned maintenance activities for each outage group during an outage event.
Facility Ratings – FERC Order 881
Ratings and several rating types can be integrated with external systems or defined within the IPS standard IPS®AFRM Advanced Facility Ratings Management tool.
Get in Touch
Get in touch to learn how to streamline your network management and how our solutions can help enhance your system’s efficiency.
FAQs about CIM-based Network Model Management
The CIM approach and data exchange are becoming increasingly popular among utilities due to their quick return on investment. If you have concerns about outcomes, we suggest starting with a Proof of Concept (PoC) on a subset of your topological data to demonstrate concrete results and justify further investment in the enterprise solution. As with other IPS solutions, you can start small, and with guidance from IPS subject matter experts, the network model can be brought to a more manageable level within a few months.
Using the IPS®IDL Intelligent Data Lake, IPS can integrate various models from sources like ERP systems, testing devices, test results, GIS data, DMS/EMS systems, fault analysis tools, and protection calculation software. This integration operates under the same version control protocols as the IPS®NMM solution, ensuring consistency and accuracy across different systems and data sources.
One of the most important advantages is the unified data source functionality of storing CIM data in its native format, providing data management flexibility, a single repository concept, reducing redundancy and the potential for errors, and supporting multiple users and workspaces. In addition, the auto-layout diagram feature saves time by automatically creating layout diagrams based on CIM data, eliminating the need for manual diagram creation. Supported by IPS®IDL and WebAPI, we can highlight the ease of integration, as CIM-based solutions facilitate seamless integration with external sources of network and substation data. IPS®NMM improves operational efficiency by automating data exchange between systems, reducing the need for manual intervention.
The single-source-of-truth concept enhances network model management by ensuring data integrity and quality through a single, authoritative source for all network information. It provides a comprehensive audit trail of each granular change, promoting transparency and accountability. The system supports multiple users, model parts, boundary parts, workspaces, and model assemblies, enabling efficient and collaborative data management. Seamless integration with external systems like PSS®E, CAPE, and SINCAL ensures consistent data exchange and interoperability. In contrast, time-saving features such as auto-layout diagrams and predefined data validation rules streamline import and export processes.
The CIM-based NMM solution is natively integrated with internal systems, such as an Outage Management System (OMS), which operates in the context of the network model, or the Enterprise Protection Information System. Additionally, the RESTful Web API, which enables secure data sharing with external systems while maintaining enterprise-level security and user privileges, can integrate with external ERP, EAM, NMM, OMS, EMS/DMS, GIS, weather providers, monitoring data sources, etc.
The auto-layout diagrams feature in IPS CIM-Based Network Model Management automatically generates schematics from network models, significantly reducing time and effort. It uses CIM data to ensure the layouts are based on accurate and validated information. The system’s diagram editor, rooted in connectivity, enhances consistency and aids in error detection within the network models. Additionally, any updates to the network model or asset information are seamlessly integrated into the diagrams, maintaining a single source of truth.