IEC 60050-617:2009/AMD2:2017 – International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Part 617: Organization/Market of Electricity
Overview
IEC 60050-617 Amendment 2 (2017) updates the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) specifically concerning the organization and market aspects of the electricity sector. Developed by IEC Technical Committees 8 and 1, this horizontal standard aligns terminology across international electrical standards, ensuring consistency in definitions and usage related to electricity markets and organizational structures. The amendment applies to various parts of IEC 60317 and enhances clarity on emerging concepts such as prosumers, microgrids, and distributed energy resources.
Key Topics
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Prosumers and Self-Producers
- Prosumer: A network user who both consumes and produces electrical energy.
- Self-producer: An entity generating electricity primarily for its own use but capable of selling excess energy.
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Aggregators
- Parties that contract with multiple network users to combine smaller loads or distributed energy resources (DER) for demand response or ancillary services.
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Microgrids
- Defined as groups of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources, microgrids can operate as either grid-connected or islanded systems.
- Microgrid operator: Responsible for the safe and reliable operation of a microgrid.
- Microgrid user: Supplies or consumes electric energy through a microgrid.
- Isolated microgrid: A self-contained microgrid that cannot connect to a larger power system, typically used in rural electrification or island contexts.
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Island Phenomena and Protection
- Electric island: An electrical section separated from the main grid.
- Intentional island: Planned isolation of a part of the power system to maintain supply during contingencies.
- Unintentional island: Unexpected disconnection from the main grid.
- Anti-islanding protection: Safety measures preventing distributed energy resources from feeding unintentional islands to avoid safety risks.
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Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
- Small-scale generators, storage systems, or loads with generating capabilities connected to low or medium-voltage networks.
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Active Distribution Systems
- Distribution grids managed such that power flows are controlled through dispatchable DER, enabling more efficient and dynamic grid management.
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Energy Management Systems (MEMS)
- Systems that operate and control the energy resources and loads within a microgrid for optimal performance.
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Other Terminology
- Black start: The capability to restart an electric power system independently after a complete shutdown.
- Virtual power plant (VPP): A coordinated group of DERs operating as a single dispatchable unit, often for market participation or ancillary services.
- Rural electrification: Planning and implementing electrical supply in remote areas with low load density.
Applications
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Grid Management and Operational Planning
This standard aids utility operators, microgrid managers, and aggregators in understanding and implementing new roles and technical capabilities, particularly in distributed generation and demand-side management.
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Electricity Market Participation
Clear definitions for prosumers, aggregators, and virtual power plants support participants navigating evolving electricity markets, enabling effective integration of distributed resources.
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Safety and Reliability Enhancements
The terminology and definitions related to islanding and anti-islanding protections are critical for designing safe and reliable distribution systems incorporating renewables and DER.
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Microgrid Development
Provides standard terms essential for developing, operating, and managing microgrids - both isolated and grid-connected - especially relevant in rural electrification and resilient power solutions.
Related Standards
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IEC 60317 Series
The amendment references multiple parts of IEC 60317 which focus on standardized wire and cable specifications, important for physical infrastructure in power systems.
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IEC 60050 Electrotechnical Vocabulary
Part 617 is one segment of the broad IEC 60050 vocabulary, underpinning consistent terminology across the electrotechnical domain.
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Grid Codes and Integration Standards
Compliance with active distribution system and DER-related terminologies supports adherence to grid codes that regulate distributed generation integration.
Conclusion
IEC 60050-617:2009/AMD2:2017 provides foundational terminology essential for harmonizing communication about electricity organization and markets worldwide. With its focus on modern concepts such as prosumers, microgrids, and distributed energy resources, this amendment supports the ongoing transformation toward decentralized, flexible, and sustainable electrical systems. Professionals in power systems operation, market regulation, and technology development benefit from adopting this vocabulary to enhance clarity, interoperability, and compliance in the evolving electricity landscape.
Keywords: IEC 60050-617, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary, electricity market, prosumer, distributed energy resources, microgrid, aggregator, anti-islanding protection, active distribution system, virtual power plant, rural electrification, IEC standards, microgrid energy management system
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