Overview
IEC TS 62939-2:2018 - Smart grid user interface: Part 2: Architecture and requirements defines a reference architecture to enable information exchange between demand-side smart equipment/systems and the power grid. The Technical Specification focuses on interoperability between the IEC Common Information Model (CIM) and a range of customer‑facility standards (for example EEBus, KNX, ECHONET Lite, LonMark, BACnet). It proposes an immediately available three‑layer application approach to support demand response (DR) and other grid-interactive services while allowing future semantic consolidation toward two layers.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Reference architecture: conceptual models showing how non‑CIM/IEC 61850 demand‑side systems connect to CIM-based grid systems via adapters and bridges.
- Three‑layer structure: a pragmatic layering that separates customer‑side protocols, adapter logic (model mapping/data transformation), and CIM/utility interfaces.
- Adapter functions (PAB): model mapping, data transformation, service matching and protocol mapping to reconcile different information models.
- Message transmission requirements: guidance on reliable, secure exchange of DR and control messages between customer premises and service providers.
- Data transformation: rules and expectations for mapping customer facility data to CIM semantics, including the notion of CIM profiles to reduce complexity.
- Communication protocol mapping: approaches to connect diverse protocols used in homes and buildings with CIM-based utility systems.
- Monitoring and management: requirements for operational visibility, manageability and diagnostics of SGUI components.
- Security and interoperability focus: emphasises secure, bi‑directional, machine‑to‑machine SGUI interactions for grid-aware energy management and EV charging.
Applications
IEC TS 62939-2 is targeted at practical smart‑grid integration tasks:
- Enabling demand response programs that require asset control and telemetry from homes and buildings.
- Integrating distributed energy resources (DER), battery storage and EV charging into grid operation workflows.
- Building SGUI bridges/adapters for utility‑to‑customer communications where legacy or non‑CIM protocols are used.
- Providing a standardised approach for system integrators to reduce fragmentation in the smart home/building market.
Who should use this standard
- Utilities and distribution system operators (DSOs)
- Smart home and building automation vendors
- System integrators and ESB/adapter developers
- DER and EV charging infrastructure providers
- Standards developers and policymakers working on grid‑to‑customer interfaces
Related standards
- IEC 62939‑1 (Interface overview and country perspectives)
- IEC 62746‑10‑1 (SGUI bridge PAS) and IEC 62746‑10‑3
- IEC 61850 (substation/customer equipment models) and CIM (IEC TC57)
This Technical Specification provides a practical, interoperable architecture to bridge fragmented customer‑side ecosystems with CIM‑based grid systems, accelerating demand response and other smart‑grid applications.