IEC/TR 62357-1:2012(E) specifies a reference architecture and framework for the development and application of IEC standards for the exchange of power system information. This technical report provides an overview of these standards as well as guidelines and general principles for their application in distribution, transmission, and generation systems involved in electric utility operations and planning. The future multi-layer reference architecture described in this technical report takes into account new concepts and evolving technologies, such as semantic modelling and canonical data models, in order to build on technology trends of other industries and standards activities to achieve the interoperability goals of the Smart Grid.