Based on analysis of IEC 61850 information models，a method of using the extensible markup language（XML）database as the real-time database for IEC 61850 devices is proposed.The structures of two real-time databases are studied，i.e.the static library storing the current status information and the event library storing system events.The complete XML schema definition and application programming interface（API）definition of the two databases are presented.An information model fully compliant with the IEC 61850 information model is developed based on the results of the proposed real-time database，which can be applied in the IEC 61850 proxy server.Finally，the feasibility and practicability of the IEC 61850 proxy server applied XML database is proven by on-the-spot test.