In this paper, we describe a scenario for increasing the
interoperability between electric power systems companies by the
use of a common information model for the exchange of power
system data. The so called Common information Model (CIM)
provides an ontology for the most used objects within the power
system domain. We introduce the need for the CIM within the
domain with a s general focus and a focus on the German energy
market with its liberalization and unbundling. Afterwards,
relevant aspects of the CIM are described in depth and
applications are introduced with a focus on a project conducted by
the authors