The UCA International Users Group (UCAIug) is a global, nonprofit, member-driven organization that promotes the adoption, implementation, and interoperability of open international standards used throughout the electric utility industry. Its mission is to enable seamless integration and communication between systems, devices, and applications that support modern, intelligent power systems.

UCAIug serves as an umbrella organization for several key user communities — including the IEC 61850 Users Group, the Common Information Model (CIM) Users Group, and the Open Field Message Bus (OpenFMB) initiative. Together, these groups advance standardization and best practices for substation automation, enterprise data exchange, and distributed energy communications.

Founded to accelerate the practical use of open standards, UCAIug provides a neutral forum where utilities, equipment manufacturers, software vendors, system integrators, and research organizations collaborate. Members work collectively to test interoperability, share lessons learned, and provide feedback to global standards bodies such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and NIST.

A cornerstone of UCAIug’s work is its interoperability testing and certification program. The organization defines and maintains test procedures, accredits independent test laboratories, and certifies products that conform to IEC 61850 and related standards. These efforts help utilities and vendors ensure reliable performance, reduce integration costs, and increase confidence in standards-based solutions.

Beyond technical validation, UCAIug plays an active role in education and knowledge sharing. It organizes workshops, webinars, and international interoperability events where members validate multi-vendor interoperability in real-world scenarios. The group also manages online collaboration platforms and repositories for use cases, models, and implementation guides — supporting both beginners and advanced implementers.

Membership in UCAIug is open to utilities, vendors, research labs, universities, and consultants worldwide, with tiered corporate levels based on company size and participation needs. Members gain access to specialized working groups, early drafts of standards, collaborative testing opportunities, and direct input into the evolution of future specifications.

Governed by an elected Board of Directors and supported by committees for each technical domain, UCAIug maintains a transparent, consensus-based structure. This ensures that its activities reflect the diverse interests of global stakeholders — from transmission and distribution utilities to software developers and manufacturers of grid automation technologies.

UCAIug’s work has become foundational to the smart grid ecosystem. Its initiatives help utilities move toward secure, interoperable, and standards-based architectures that support renewable integration, grid modernization, and digital transformation. By fostering cooperation among industry leaders and standards organizations, UCAIug continues to be a driving force behind interoperability and innovation in electric power systems worldwide.