BS EN IEC 61968-5:2020

What is BS EN IEC 61968‑5 about?  

BS EN IEC 61968 is a series on application integration of electric utilities. BS EN IEC 61968‑5 is the description of a set of functions that are needed for enterprise integration of distributed energy resources management system (DERMS) functions. These exchanges are most likely between a DERMS and a distribution management system (DMS). 

DERMS is a software platform used to manage a group of DER assets. BS EN IEC 61968‑5 specifies one role of the DERMS that is to manage the disparity and complexity of communications on the behalf of the system operator.  

The scope of BS EN IEC 61968‑5 will be limited to the following use case categories: 

• DER group creation – a mechanism to manage DER in aggregate 
• DER group maintenance – a mechanism to add, remove, or modify the members and/or aggregated capabilities of a given group of DER 
• DER group deletion – removing an entire group 
• DER group status monitoring – a mechanism for quantifying or ascertaining the current capabilities and/or status of a group of DER 
• DER group forecast – a mechanism for predicting the capabilities and/or status of a group of DER for a given time period in the future 
• DER group dispatch – a mechanism for requesting that specified capabilities of a group of DER be dispatched to the grid 
• DER group voltage ramp rate control – a mechanism for requesting that a DER group following a ramp rate curve 

• DER group connect/disconnect – a mechanism to request that DER either isolate themselves or reconnect to the grid as needed 

Note: The communication to the individual (DER) is out of the scope of BS EN IEC 61968‑5. 

Who is BS EN IEC 61968‑5 for? 

BS EN IEC 61968‑5 on distribution management is useful for: 

• Energy supply and distribution networks 
• Software developers  
• IT sector 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 61968‑5?  

The DMS is a collection of applications designed to monitor and control the entire distribution network efficiently and reliably. BS EN IEC 61968‑5 discusses the technology advancements in various types of DER, which has driven an increase in their evaluation and employment by utilities, consumers, and third parties. These DER are often connected to the grid at the distribution level where their presence in large scale or volume could be disruptive if not designed, integrated, and managed properly. 

BS EN IEC 61968‑5 also discusses DERMS. These are the systems that manage DER. The DERMS function is to effectively inform other software applications regarding the resources available and to exchange information that allows the DER to be managed effectively. Additionally, due to the scale of some devices, to optimize the management of DER they are managed in aggregate, referred hereafter as "DER group management". 

BS EN IEC 61968‑5 develops appropriate enterprise-level functions for the integration of distributed energy resources. These functions are intended to work in conjunction with the common functions for smart inverters.