Model Driven Integration Based on the CIM - The Reality and Lessons Learned

Summary form only given. Building integration frameworks that fully leverage the IEC 61970 Common Information Model (CIM) standards requires a model-driven approach to integration. Used in this way, the CIM provides a semantic layer in the integration architecture that functions as a common language for sharing information between systems and applications that is independent of the underlying middleware technology used to physically connect these systems. This greatly facilitates the use of Web services, especially when used as the transport medium in a service oriented architecture (SOA). This paper provides insight into the realities of deploying the model driven integration (MDI) methodology at several utilities, the benefits realized, and lessons learned. The perspectives provided are from both an enterprise IT level of application and an individual project perspective, such as replacing an energy management system or adding a new outage management system. The paper concludes with recommendations for any utility contemplating how best to utilize the CIM in their own environment