CIM-Based Network Models in a Multi-Vendor Environment at CAISO

The computer system at California Independent System Operator (CAISO) is based on distributed system architecture. This involves many software application vendors and "homegrown" systems. The major system components that use the network models are the Energy Management System (EMS), and the Electricity Market Systems (i.e., systems for running the Integrated Forward Markets, Real Time Markets, and the Congestion Revenue Rights (CRR)). The CAISO has an EMS system called Network Management System from ABB Network Management. The network applications that are operational with the CAISO EMS system are State Estimator, Contingency Analysis and the Dispatcher Load Flow. The EMS network model includes a detailed representation of the electrical network of the CAISO Control Area and a simplified representation of the WECC bulk power system up to 161 KV with a few exceptions.