IEC 61970-301:2020 (E) lays down the common information model (CIM), which is an abstract model that represents all the major objects in an electric utility enterprise typically involved in utility operations. By providing a standard way of representing power system resources as object classes and attributes, along with their relationships, the CIM facilitates the integration of network applications developed independently by different vendors, between entire systems running network applications developed independently, or between a system running network applications and other systems concerned with different aspects of power system operations, such as generation or distribution management. SCADA is modeled to the extent necessary to support power system simulation and inter-control centre communication. The CIM facilitates integration by defining a common language (i.e. semantics) based on the CIM to enable these applications or systems to access public data and exchange information independent of how such information is represented internally.

This edition reflects the model content version `IEC61970CIM17v38', dated `2020-01-21', and includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Added Feeder modelling;
b) Added ICCP configuration modelling;
c) Correction of issues found in interoperability testing or use of the standard;
d) Improved documentation;
e) Updated Annex A with custom extensions;
f) Added Annex B Examples of PST transformer modelling;
g) Added Annex C HVDC use cases.