What is the Common Information Model (CIM)?

The Common Information Model (CIM) is a global standard for structuring and exchanging utility data. CIM provides a unified way to model assets, operations, and processes, making it easier for different systems and organizations to communicate and integrate.

Why CIM matters

By adopting CIM, utilities can streamline data exchange, eliminate complex system connections, and ensure consistent information across all platforms. Originally developed by (The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and now governed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), CIM helps utilities reduce maintenance, support upgrades, and future-proof their data infrastructure.

Key benefits

  • Enables interoperability between diverse systems and vendors
  • Simplifies integration and data exchange
  • Reduces maintenance costs and complexity
  • Supports long-term scalability and innovation

Why choose DNV for CIM compliance and modeling services? 

DNV combines decades of domain expertise in energy systems with deep involvement in international standards development, including the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee 57 (IEC TC57), the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), the Common Information Model User Group (CIMug), and the International Council on Large Electric Systems (Conseil International des Grands Réseaux Électriques, (CIGRE).

Our active role in shaping the Common Information Model (CIM) ensures your grid data systems are future-ready, interoperable, and fully compliant. Trusted by leading Transmission System Operators (TSOs), Distribution System Operators (DSOs), and software vendors worldwide, DNV delivers advisory, conformance testing, and innovative tools like CIMbion to support your digital transformation from strategy to implementation.

Accredited by ENTSO-E for CGMES v3.0 conformance testing

End-to-end support from strategy to implementation and governance

CIM expertise across Europe, the Americas, and APAC regions

Cloud-based tools for automated CIM validation and testing

Comprehensive solutions for every stage of your CIM journey

DNV’s CIM services support utilities, grid operators, and vendors at every stage of Common Information Model adoption. From expert advisory and system transformation to conformance testing and training, we help you achieve seamless interoperability and regulatory compliance.

ENTSOE-accredited CIM conformance testing 

CIM conformance testing by an independent third party like DNV improves interoperability across grid systems by verifying that data exchange implementations conform to the Common Information Model (CIM) standard.

DNV is an ENTSO-E-accredited test laboratory authorized to perform CGMES v3.0 conformance testing, helping utilities, vendors, and system operators validate their data models and ensure seamless integration with other systems.

What we offer:

  • Testing services based on tailored test use cases (TUCs) and test configurations (TCs).
  • Transparent defect review and update process.
  • Issuance of official Attestation of Conformity after successful testing.
  • Full support through DNVs proprietary testing tool, CIMbion

Why it matters

Interoperability issues can delay deployments and increase vendor lock-in risks. Our independent conformance testing ensures your systems meet the required standards from day one.


Watch: ENTSO-E CGMES 3.0 Conformity – by DNV

Common Information Model (CIM) advisory services 

What is CIM advisory?

CIM Advisory helps power sector stakeholders adopt the Common Information Model (CIM)—a standardized data model that ensures interoperability between grid systems. DNVs expert guidance supports utilities, grid operators, and vendors in transforming legacy systems, aligning data strategies, and validating models to achieve CIM compliance and enable efficient, future-ready operations.

DNV CIMification - your end-to-end CIM transformation 

DNV CIMification is a holistic approach to helping organizations transform their existing systems to meet Common Information Model (CIM) standards. From business processes to technical validation, DNV supports the entire journey—ensuring data quality, interoperability, and long-term scalability through industry-recognized expertise and active involvement in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) TC57.

  • CIM in business process development
    Integrate CIM into your business operations to streamline workflows and enhance collaboration.

  • CIM roadmap and tender support
    We guide you in planning your CIM adoption with tailored roadmaps, tender documentation, risk analysis, and stakeholder alignment. Our consultants help optimize data strategies and integration pathways for long-term success.

  • Data management strategy and model governance
    Strengthen your data governance framework with our model validation reports, performance monitoring metrics, and stakeholder communication plans. We support you in building scalable, transparent data management strategies rooted in CIM standards.

  • Verification and validation
    Ensure your systems meet CIM conformance with our independent verification and validation services. Leveraging tools like CIMbion, we conduct automated testing across CGMES, GB CIM, Network Codes, and custom CIM profiles—boosting interoperability and reducing vendor lock-in.

  • Digital twin CIM/BIM harmonization
    We explore the convergence of CIM and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create rich digital twins of grid infrastructure. This integration enables multidimensional data analysis and decision-making by bridging physical and digital domains.

  • Asset data management and object type libraries
    Our methodologies support consistent, accurate asset data across systems using object type libraries (OTLs). We provide training, documentation, automated validation, and data governance practices to ensure your asset data remains reliable and accessible over time.

Common information model (CIM) training programs

Accelerate the digital transformation of your organization with our expert-led CIM training programs, tailored for energy professionals. From foundational courses to advanced profiling and validation, our modules are designed to help you implement and optimize Common Information Model (CIM) standards across operations, asset management, and energy markets.

Value: Understanding of IEC CIM standards can support digitalization in operations, planning, asset management and energy markets.

Popular courses: 

  • Basic training – power of CIM
  • Dedicated CIM workshops
  • CIM use-case development
  • CIM modelling concepts
  • Advanced CIM extensions and profiling
  • SHACL and validation techniques
  • CIM tools and validation methods

Explore CIM training programs 

Tools that enable Common Information Model (CIM) success

 

 

CIMbion

 

CIMbion is DNVs cloud-hosted platform for testing, validating, and analysing CIM profiles like profiles like CGMES, GB CIM, Network Codes.

It is accessible via a web browser or through an API. Accredited for ENTSO-E network code profiles, CIMbion enables self-assessment and conformance testing, ensuring your grid data systems are compliant and future-ready.

    

unSHACLed

 

DNVs unSHACLed is an intelligent add-on that automatically generates Shapes Constraint language (SHACL) rules for any CIM profile, enhancing compliance and data integrity.

Together, CIMbion and unSHACLed offer utilities and vendors a robust, scalable solution for CIM profile validation.

Real-world applications of model-driven grid operations 

Discover how CIMbion enables grid operators to transform data complexity into actionable strategy—driving interoperability, security, and future-proofed grid operations.

Whether you're defining your data strategy or preparing for full CIM integration, our tools and frameworks help you manage expectations, align stakeholders, and ensure scalable success.

Connect with a CIM expert to learn more.

 

CIM roadmap - the steps needed to manage expectations and risks

Challenge: a leading transmission system operator (TSO) needed to streamline their data architecture, align internal stakeholders, and establish a unified data strategy for CIM compliance.

Solution: using CIMbion tool, they assessed their current architecture, identified gaps, and mapped out critical business processes. This formed the basis of a clear, standards-aligned CIM roadmap.

Focus area: stakeholder alignment, architecture review, CIM readiness

Value delivered: clear data view, strategic roadmap foundation, future integration.

DNV CIMification framework - crucial for successful large-scale system replacement projects

Challenge: a major major distribution system operator (DSO) faced significant complexity during a large-scale system replacement. They needed to align their data strategy with a modern technical architecture while reducing risks tied to model inconsistencies and siloed governance.

Solution: by adopting DNV CIMification framework, they implemented CIM standards across the entire lifecycle—from requirements and system specification to architecture design, validation, and integration testing. The framework helped streamline model governance and harmonization, ensuring long-term data quality and scalability.

Focus area: model governance, architecture alignment, validation and testing

Value delivered: reduced project risk, accelerated testing cycles, and improved CIM profile quality across systems.

Architectural design and CIM methodology

Challenge: struggling with interoperability challenges—ranging from incompatible vendor implementations to undocumented model extensions and inconsistent CIM usage—needed a structured, standards-based approach to manage data exchange across their systems.

Solution: by applying DNVs architectural methodology, they adopted a standardized framework for managing and exchanging data across the full project lifecycle. This approach ensured consistency from initial requirements through to testing, while aligning technical design with governance needs.

Focus area: model governance, architecture alignment, validation and testing.

Value delivered: reduced project risk, accelerated testing cycles, and improved CIM profile quality across systems.

Managing data semantics with CIM-based object type library (OTL)

Challenge: utilities often face challenges in managing metadata across complex systems—leading to inconsistencies, limited reuse, and increased integration costs. Ensuring consistent classification and semantic alignment across functions and components is critical for scalable grid operations.

Solution: DNV´s CIM-based Object Type Library (OTL) uses semantic web technologies to structure and manage metadata. This standards-driven approach supports functional decomposition, property inheritance, and consistent classification. As a globally recognised and evolving standard maintained by active IEC TC57 working groups, CIM provides a stable, future-ready foundation for utility projects. 

Focus area: metadata architecture, ontology-driven insights, CIM profile management

Value delivered: structured, future-proof metadata, easier customizations, and alignment with evolving international standards.

How CIM services are powering the future grid

Dive into expert articles and on-demand webinars that illustrate how CIM services are enabling next-generation grid management through advanced data modelling, interoperability, and standards-based integration.

Related services

Enhance your experience with expert services from DNV's power grids and CIM teams

Frequently asked questions

Conformance testing ensures your software or system implementation aligns with CIM standards like CGMES 3.0, guaranteeing interoperability.
CIM simplifies data integration, reduces operational costs, and improves data governance—essential for modern grid operators.
ENTSO-E sets and maintains key CIM profiles (like CGMES) for transmission system operators across Europe. DNV is an accredited conformance testing lab under ENTSO-E.
Yes—many utilities create custom profiles to reflect local use cases. DNV helps with both profile creation and validation.
CIM provides the data backbone for creating digital twins of power systems, supporting real-time analytics and simulations.