DNV achieves first successful conformance test of CGMES 3.0 with CIMbion
DNV, an ENTSO-E-accredited protocol testing lab, has successfully completed its first official CGMES 3.0 conformance testing for TNEI using the cloud-hosted tool CIMbion.
Powering grid operations with confidence
As the energy sector accelerates toward digital transformation and interoperability, ensuring compliance with the Common Information Model (CIM) standards is more critical than ever. With the increasing adoption of CGMES 3.0, utilities, software vendors, and power system stakeholders are seeking trusted partners to guide them through conformance testing and deliver verifiable results.
This is where DNV steps in.
The customer: TNEI
TNEI is an independent energy consultancy that supports organizations across conventional and renewable energy sectors with expert technical, strategic, and environmental advice. At the heart of their digital portfolio lies IPSA, a powerful power system analysis software tailored for designing and planning electrical networks.
IPSA is modern, user-friendly, and committed to staying ahead of industry trends, including integrating Common Infomation Model (CIM) into their ecosystem.
The challenge: getting CGMES 3.0 certified
As CIM and CGMES gain increasing importance across Europe and the UK, TNEI aimed to ensure their IPSA platform meets evolving industry standards. However, achieving CGMES 3.0 conformance is a complex task that demands both specialized tools and deep domain expertise.
With DNV being the only ENTSO-E accredited CGMES 3.0 testing lab, the choice was clear.
DNVs solution: CIMbion in action
DNV deployed CIMbion, a cloud-hosted automated testing tool specifically designed to ensure compliance with the Common Information Model. Leveraging its pre-defined Test Use Cases (TUCs) and configurable testing features, DNV CIM experts structured the conformity assessment through several interactive sessions conducted over multiple days.
The process combined automated testing using the CIMbion platform with manual validation, all aligned with the Declaration of Conformity criteria defined by ENTSO-E. To further enhance the robustness and efficiency of the validation, DNV introduced negative test cases—an advanced technique designed to uncover unexpected failures and strengthen overall system reliability
How TNEI benefitted from CIMbion
- Flexibility and speed: CIMbion’s TUC-based architecture allowed IPSA to perform a comprehensive suite of tests with minimal effort and faster configuration.
- Independent pre-testing: TNEI benefited from CIMbion’s subscription model, enabling them to self-assess their outputs before formal testing began.
- Expert-guided success: DNV’s pre-testing support helped TNEI identify and resolve critical errors in advanced greatly improving the success rate in the official test.
From testing to accreditation: a milestone achieved
With the valued support of DNV experts and the advanced capabilities of CIMbion, TNEI has successfully completed its first CGMES 3.0 conformity assessment. This achievement represents a significant step forward in the evolution of IPSA, affirming its readiness to support modern grid operations and comply with evolving regulatory and market requirements.
