［ International Standardization ］

International Standardization for
Next-Generation Energy System
Keywords

Yutaka Arai,
Yasuyuki Hoshi,
Ken’ichi Ito

Smart grid, Microgrid, BEMS, CEMS, IEC61850, OpenADR2.0b, Dispersed power source

Abstract

Recently, need for microgrids, smart grids, and such next-generation energy systems has increased, as well as need for inter-connections with various
power grid facilities by multiple power retail vendors and their management.
This reﬂects the scale expansion and diversity of distributed energy resources
and the introduction of Demand Response (DR). Under such circumstances, thesigniﬁcance of international standardization in relation to communication with
next-generation energy systems is increasing. According to the trends analysisof the European CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group (SG-CG)
and American National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) they are
positively promoting international standardization. IEC is organizing for international standardization and Japanese Japan Smart Community Alliance (JSCA) iscatching up to the global trends. Given above, it is possible to identify current
situations of each country and their trends. We have recently begun to integratevarious kinds of communication protocols based on the XMPP. The XMPP is
being investigated for adoption into the transport layer protocol in multiple international communication standards. So far, we have gained the conﬁdence to beable to realize a common communication platform without relying on applications.

1 Preface

2 Updates on Various Countries

Recently, there has been a growing generalinterest on microgrids, smart grids, and suchnext-generation energy systems against the background of a need to improve power supply reliability
against an increase of renewable energy resources
and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems. Nextgeneration energy systems are required to permit
inter-connections with various distributed energy
resources by multiple power retail vendors andpower grid facilities to achieve optimal management.
These next-generation energy systems are also
required to provide Demand Response (DR) services to secure the regional power stability. This isrequired in order to inter-connect power grid system(managing regional stability) with electricity aggregators and manage such grid-connected operations.
Following our technical report already released (1)in Japanese, this paper introduces the follow-up
status of international standardization works in relation to next-generation energy systems. We also
show our recent related R&D program.

2.1 Updates on Europe
In European countries, standardization is promoted to realize the 20-20-20 Target (20% reduction of CO2, energy saving by 20%, and 20% generation of renewable energy resources by 2020)
by the CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group (SG-CG)- a joint group by three organizations: CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee forElectrotechnical Standardization), and ETSI (European
Telecommunications Standards Institute).
Requirements for this standardization wereorganized into speciﬁcations called the M/400,
where conditions are described for building theEuropean common framework. The SG-CG is composed of four working groups: “First Set of Standards,”“Reference Architecture,” “Sustainable Process,”and “Smart Grid Information Security.” Each working group published the following documents:( 1) Framework Document (2)The scope of SG-CG is deﬁned and the result
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39

of activities at each working group is summarized.
( 2 ) Reference Architecture (3)The Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM)
was proposed. Based on this three-dimensionallyarranged architecture model, European countries
are trying to establish European Standards, review
the National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) speciﬁcations (to be discussed later), andact for reasonable promotion to the standard compiling organization.
At the same time, there is also a proposal of amethod that is mapping on models in the respective
layers based on the business use case as shown in
Fig. 1. In this manner, the standardization processes
and analysis of domain applications are made intorules. This tendency is inﬂuencing IEC 62357(Power systems management and associated information exchange- Reference architecture for object
models, services and protocols).

( 3 ) Standardization Processes (Sustainable Processes)(4)The practical utilization of use cases is
described for the standardization of smart grids.
Use cases are analyzed to grasp their functions andrequirements. This is the basis for the deﬁnition offrameworks for smart grids. These processes areclassiﬁed into the following four items:( a ) Classiﬁcation of use cases, gathering, andmethod of management( b ) Method of cluster classiﬁcation for genericuse cases obtained based on a concept of gathered use cases( c ) Use case management tools( d ) Case study of conceptual models
In particular, generic use cases are importantat the time of standardization. The concepts of“Flexibility (power regulation capability)” and “Trafﬁc
Light Concept (multi-stage power regulator control

Business layer
Sub-role

Service X

Business process (business use case)Operation
step 1

Operation
step 2

Operation
step 3Operation
step …
Role B
Reception of Service X

Role A
Delivery of Service X

Roles C, D (related)
Function layer
System B

System A
Function 2(System use case)

Function 1(System use case)

Function …
(System use case)

Function 3(System use case)

Information layer
Data model 1

Data model 2

Data model 3

Communication layer
Protocol 2

Protocol 1

Component layer
Component 1
Note: It was drafted based on “‘SGAM User Manual - Applying，
testing & refining the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) Version 2.0’
(CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group).”Fig. 1

Extraction of Functional and Non-Functional Requirements from Use Case

Based on three-dimensionally arranged architecture models called the SGAM, European countries are promoting rational activities forthe establishment of European standard speciﬁcations, reviewing the NIST speciﬁcations (to be discussed later), and lobbying to standard drafting organizations. Here, a mapping method from a business use case to each layer models is proposed. They regulate on thestandardization processes and analytical method for domains and applications. Such progress is inﬂuencing IEC 62357 (International
Standardization for Standard Smart Grid Architectures).

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MEIDEN REVIEW Series No.169 2017 No.1

model)” were introduced for a case study of conceptual models. These concepts were discussed atmany standards-related meetings, as the inﬂuenceis increasing.
( 4 ) First Set of Standards (5)The deﬁnition of SGAM diagrams and SGAM
mapping into existing standards are described. The
standard mapping can be used as a tool when we
examine the applicability of a standard based on an
application use case. This list is very convenient.
( 5 ) Information Security
A security guidance is offered and by showing
the trend of security for the related persons, it
intends to promote the development of smart grids
smoothly.

2.2 Updates on the U.S.
The U.S. plays a central role in activities for
smart grid standardization. In November 2009, the
NIST established the Smart Grid Interoperability
Panel (SGIP) and started activities to secure interoperability for smart grids. The SGIP assigned important items regarding smart grids into subworking
groups called the Priority Action Plan (PAP) andeach group takes actions for standardization according to the roadmap.
A great achievement is the NIST framework.
The past three editions of the NIST framework were
issued with features as described below.
( 1) First edition (Released in January 2010) (6)( a ) Introduction of high-level conceptual reference models( b ) Identiﬁcation of 75 existing standard speciﬁcations as the standards relating to smart grids( c ) Selection of 15 items that need fast solution
and formulation of 15 PAPs
( 2 ) Second edition (Released in February 2012) (7)( a ) Extension of high-level conceptual reference
models( b ) Establishment of SGIP( c ) Framework formulation guideline for security,
testing, and authentication( 3 ) Third edition (Released in September 2014) (8)( a ) Conceptual model updating (European SGAM
and IEC 62357 were introduced and intermixed
models were proposed.)( b ) Guideline for security, testing, and authentication framework (NISTIR 7628) and standardization( c ) Positive introduction of microgrid concept
effective for recovery from disaster.
( d ) Registration of 59 existing standard speciﬁ-

cations as the standard catalogs( e ) 25 PAPs (13 PAPs were already completed.)( f ) Revised standards (OpenADR2.0, SEP2,
IEEE1547, NAESB REQ18, UL1741)
The OpenADR is the standardization result (9)by OpenADR Alliance that is a US-based privateorganization. It drafted technical speciﬁcations on DR
and promoted the standardization. The DR meansthat “when power retail price is high or system reliability is low, the power consumption pattern is controlled to suppress the use of retail power on energy
consumer side in response to the retail power pricesetting or incentive payment scheme.” (10)
It is considered that working group work for
IEC/TC57 and IEC/PC118 of IEC commenced its
coordination work between OpenADR2.0b, IEC
power system information model-Common Information Model (CIM) and standard communication protocol of power monitor and control system IEC61850.
It seems the movements towards international standardization on DR will become active.

2.3 Updates on IEC
The SG3 is a smart grid strategic group of theInternational Standard Management Board (SMB).
16 nations are participating. There are 28 technicalcommittees as a subcommittee which are working
on more than hundred standards. At the SG3, thesmart grid is separately deﬁned in eleven ﬁelds.
Especially important ﬁelds are deﬁned as distribution power systems control, smart home, commercial facilities, industrial facilities, energy consumer
side energy management, and power delivery(e-Mobility). A mapping chart was drafted to indicate the related standards of the above eleven ﬁelds
and has been released to the website.
Meanwhile, the “TC13 Electrical energy measurement and control” now in progress is: the standardization of data transmission from power meters(IEC62056 “DLMS/COSEM” etc.), the standardization of interfaces for watthour data and management systems integrated by the “TC57 Power
System Management and associated Information
Exchange,” the standardization of interfaces for
power systems and energy user systems, and thestandardization of information models.
In autumn 2011, the “PC118 Smart Grid User
Interface” was established and the standardization
activities started to realize DR standardization(OpenADR becoming a IEC standard).
Among such active programs transactions, the
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TC57/WG17 attracted particularly high attention.
They are working on applying IEC61850, which is acommunication standard developed especially formonitor and control of substations of power systems, in order to expand to smart grids. They are
working on the development of mapping to thetransport layer XMPP (eXtensible Messaging and
Presence Protocol) to extend information models tothe power userʼs energy resources (EVs, storage
batteries, CHP, renewable energy) or microgrids,
and to realize almost real-time standard communication with energy customers over the Internet.

2.4 Updates on Japan

In Japan, a concept of “Smart Community” isfeatured. In addition to the effective use of electric
power, it aims to realize a next-generation energy
and social system in a community level. It is a complex combination among a “wide area use” of energy resources like heat and resource recovery, as
well as regional trafﬁc system and changes of citizenʼs lifestyle for energy use. In January 2010, theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
announced “Japanʼs Roadmap for Going International Standards” and “26 Important Items to beStandardized.” In April 2010, the Japan Smart
Community Alliance (JSCA) was established. Atthat time, important items were reviewed for positioning in each ﬁeld. In December 2012, theseimportant items were changed to 20 items.
Still more, after the occurrence of the Great
East Japan Earthquake in 2011, DR received highattention as a tight measure situation of power supply in Japan, and the JSCA began to carry out veriﬁcation tests in various places such as veriﬁcation
projects in 4 regions. In order to promote the spreadof DR, the development of a standard communication interface is imperative. In June 2012, METI
launched the Next-Generation DR Technology
Standardization Study Group as a sub-organizationof the JSCA Smart House and Building Standardization Project Promotion Committee. The Groupbegan studying and in September 2012, the adoption of the OpenADR2.0 was recommended asa standard for DR communications in Japan.
Consequently, METI started up the DR Task Forceand drafted the communication interface to be usedamong the power systems, energy aggregators,
and energy consumers based on the OpenADR (11).
For the Yokohama Smart City Project (YSCP),
one of the demonstration projects in 4 regions, we

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joined the OpenADR veriﬁcation testing programand are in co-operation with the project members.

3 Our Programs
For microgrids or smart grids, the communications among power systems, energy aggregators,
and energy consumers are vital. As stated above
international communication standards are published for each difference in communication purpose and functions. These are not intended for communication of applications with multiple purposes
and functions. In order to solve such an issue, we areworking to build a common communication platformthat is based on the XMPP and independent of any
applications with different purposes and functions.
In regard to recent XMPP, these are increasing
numbers of applications to apply XMPP to the transport layer in many communication standards inorder to realize Internet communication in nearlyreal-time mode. The OpenADR2.0b and IEC618508-2 (Draft) are such cases. These two protocols arefor a hierarchical control system ［example: Power
System Operator (PSO), energy aggregator, EMS,DER that requires a device with two protocols to
realize communication between DR application andpower monitor and control application of EMS(Table 1). For the OpenADR2.0b and IEC61850, theTable 1

Communication Layer Model where Two
Standard Protocols are Installed in a Single Device

Protocols of OpenADR2.0b and IEC61850-8-2 (Draft) are for hierarchical control systems (example: PSO, aggregator, EMS,
DER) and devices having two protocols are needed to realize thecommunication among DR, application, and EMS.
DomainZone

PowergenerationPowertransmission

Power
Distributdistribu- ed energytion
resources

EnergycustomerMarketEnterprise
TraderPower retail providerPowertransmission
providerPower
distribution
providerEnergy aggregator
Bay

Field network

OpenADR2.0b
IEC 61850

EMS
IEC
61850
Distributed
energyresources

Sensor

: Execute module

API call/Callback

XMPP server: Software module libraryHandler call
Handler response

XMPP communication
library
Service
req.

Reply

XMPP communication
library

Report,control,
abort

Service
req.

Reply

Report,event

XMPP communication
library
Service
req.

Reply

Report,control,
abort

Reply

Report,event

Common library

Common library

Common library

Common library

IEC61850
communication library

OpenADR2.0b
communication server

IEC61850
communication server

OpenADR2.0b
communication libraryService
req.

Reply

Report,control,
abort

Service
req.

Reply

Report,event

Service
req.

Reply

Report,control,
abort

Service
req.

Reply

Report,event

IEC61850
client application

OpenADR2.0b
service application

IEC61850
service application

OpenADR2.0b
client application

Common data accesslibrary

Common data accesslibrary

Common data accesslibrary

Common data accesslibrary

CommonDR

Data nameconversion table

CommonDR

Data nameconversion table

VEN

VTN

Fig. 2XMPP communication
library

Common Library, Information Model, and Data Mapping

An example of communication services and information models is shown for applications where communication protocols of OpenADR2.0b
and IEC61850 independently installed.

position of the client and server to the upper andlower layers is reversed and therefore, installation of
two protocols into the same device is difﬁcult.
As such, we analyzed the behavior of applications installed separately and rearranged the common factors in terms of two protocols, Application
Programming Interface (API), and information model(Fig. 2).
As a result, we made the common modules
and conﬁrmed the high level of feasibility that wemight realize a common platform without relying on
an applicationʼs client and server. When application
layer services of two communication protocols areproperly mapped into common services and a converting table is made available to absorb the difference in information models, it is possible to produce
a system without worrying about the said differences for the application programs that use theapplication layer services of two communication
protocols (Fig. 3).
This method will be similarly applicable to IEC

62056 (smart meter) expanding its application range(with due consideration of XMPP), Modbus (instrumentation communication), and DNP3 (IEEE1815.1).
In the case of XMPP communication, authenticationand stream encryption are indispensable for eachapplication to be used because Joint ID (JID) must
be determined in a domain unit. In this manner, thepossibility of end-to-end security can be expected.
We believe that our approach proposed here is aneffective way to harmonize multiple communication
protocols in the future.

4 Postscript
There is a recent growing necessity fornext-generation energy systems such as microgrids
or smart grids. In such systems, standardized ICT
technologies help interoperation among products
and systems despite there being many kinds ofrelated international communication standards thatare in the draft stage. They were organized by clasMEIDEN REVIEW Series No.169 2017 No.1

43

: Execute module

API call/Callback

XMPP server: Software module libraryHandler call
Handler response

XMPP communication
library
Servicereq.

XMPP communication
library
Service
req.

Reply

Report,control,
abort

Reply

ReportOpenADR2.0b
communication server

XMPP communication
library
Service
req.

Reply

Report,control,
abort

XMPP communication
library

IEC61850
communication libraryService
req.

Reply

OpenADR2.0b
communication library

Report,control,abort

IEC61850
client application

Common data accesslibrary

Common data accesslibraryDB

DB

Common data accesslibrary

Common data accesslibrary

OpenADR2.0b
service application

IEC61850
service application

VTN

Fig. 3

Report,control,
abort

Reply

IEC61850
communication server

Service
req.

Reply

ReportOpenADR2.0b
client application

VEN

Installation of Two Standard Protocols in the EMS Using a Common Module

For the OpenADR2.0b and IEC61850, the position of the client and server to the upper and lower layers is reversed and installation into
the same device is very difﬁcult. We analyzed the behavior of the applications installed separately and rearranged the common factors
among two protocols, API, and an information model.

siﬁcation and integration in the drafting work forframeworks and guidelines in western countries.
Their guiding policy directions are presently being
formulated. Given such information, we have to
make an appropriate decision. We are working withstandardization reviewing organizations and areasked them to make reasonable choices andamendments. At the same time, we need to develop
new systems and equipment. Going forward, we willcontinue to present our case for optimal standards
at home and abroad which will meet the power
needs in Japan and its traditional customs in electricity business in Japan while also advancing system development and information gathering.
・All product and company names mentioned in this paper are
the trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners.

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MEIDEN REVIEW Series No.169 2017 No.1

《References》( 1 ) Yoshimichi Okuno, Yutaka Arai, and Kenʼichi Ito: “International
Standardization Relating to Next-Generation Energy Systems,”
Meiden Jiho No.339, 2013/No.2, pp.20-26 (in Japanese)( 2 ) CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group – Framework
Document, November, 2012
(3) CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group – Smart
Grid Reference Architecture, November, 2012
(4) CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group – Sustainable
Processes, November, 2012
(5) CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group – First Setof Standards, November, 2012(6) NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability
Standards, Release 2.0, January, 2010(7) NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability
Standards, Release 1.0, February, 2012(8) NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability
Standards, Release 3.0, September, 2014(9) OpenADR 2.0 Profile Specification B Profile, September, 2013(10) Assessment of Demand Response & Advanced Metering, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 2014(11) Specifications for DR and Interfaces, Edition 10 (in Japanese)