ZCIM: A compressed, modular CIM data exchange format

As the scope of the Common Information Model grows from its origins in transmission network model exchange to cover distribution, dynamics and market data, the amount of data transferred is correspondingly increasing and the use of a single XML file for each exchange has become impractical. There is a requirement to reduce the size of the exchanged data while retaining the separation of data according to its type and this paper proposes a standard using a combination of multiple data sets organized by type; individual file header data; group descriptors and a ZIP containment format to create a compressed, modular data exchange format that utilizes existing IEC standards, retains data modularity and reduces the size of the exchanged file.