The Open Field Message Bus (OpenFMB) interoperability framework is a standard ratified in 2016 by North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), a leading energy industry Standards Development Organization (SDO) accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The OpenFMB Users Group was created in 2018 after a transition to the Utility Communications Architecture International Users Group (UCAIug) from a Priority Action Plan previously organized by the Smart Grid interoperability Panel (SGIP), which is now part of the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA).
Who are the Key Organizations supporting the OpenFMB ecosystem?
| The UCAIug supports both the Users Group and the Interoperability Testing & Certification Authority (ITCA) functions for the OpenFMB community.
Serving as an ANSI-accredited SDO, NAESB supports the development and standardization of the OpenFMB framework.
The OpenFMB User Group's role is to accelerate adoption of NAESB's OpenFMB framework standard by organizing outreach activities to share lessons learned and potential applications (or use-cases) when implementing the OpenFMB framework in a practical operational environment. Additionally, the OpenFMB users group will coordinate with UCAIug's ITCA branch to ensure that the test plan, being validated by the Accredited Test Lab(s), conforms to the model business practices specified in NAESB's OpenFMB standard. |  |
How does one participate in the OpenFMB ecosystem?
In order to participate in the OpenFMB Users Group, a membership with the UCAIug is required. The OpenFMB Users Group convenes monthly for its general meeting, typically on a web conference call. Additionally, there are several OpenFMB working groups that meet on an as needed basis in effort to support and govern the OpenFMB ecosystem's open-source technology artifacts (e.g. use-cases, data models, demos, etc.) available on various public repositories to help facilitate awareness, education, implementation, testing, and certification of OpenFMB. Furthermore, UCAIug hosts quarterly webinars and a few annual face-to-face events for industry outreach.
In order to contribute to the development, enhancement, and extension of the OpenFMB standard, attendance in NAESB's OpenFMB task force is mandatory. This NAESB task force plans to formally restart efforts in January 2019 and will meet approximately once a month until completed. Please contact
naesb@naesb.org for more information on how to participate and attend this specific NAESB task force.
Why consider OpenFMB?
- Supports the layering of multiple functions (or use-cases) for stacked benefits
- Open, observable and auditable interfaces at multiple scales for interoperability
- Unified semantics, based on standards such as CIM and IEC 61850, to enable advanced analytics
- Plug-n-play integration with existing devices and systems via the use of adapters
- Fast response when cetralized sites are too far away to respond promptly
- Resiliency when portions of the grid are segmented
- Enabling distributed intelligence to securely federate data at the grid-edge, while actively coordinating within the operational constraints of a power system
- Potential unified backhaul for reduced OPEX, simplified management and enhanced security
- Fostering innovative products and services to meet new smart grid business goals
