• To achieve the German and European energy and climate protection goals, sectors such as electricity, transport and heat are to be digitally networked with each other in a sovereign manner.

• To this end, the energy data-X consortium is testing and building a data ecosystem for the energy industry based on Gaia-X.

• The data ecosystem enables the improved integration of renewable energy plants and the development of innovative digital business models for all market participants.

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Dortmund, October 11, 2023.

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The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) is funding the energy data-X consortium to build and test a data ecosystem. The objective of the consortium is to build a future-proof, secure and sovereign system for the use of data in the energy industry. This data ecosystem is intended to lay the foundations for innovative business models that can be applied across different value chains and sectors. The energy data-X consortium currently consists of 14 partners from the energy industry, information and communication technology as well as science and standardization. The project contributes significantly to the implementation of national and European energy and climate protection policies.

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"For the energy transition and sector coupling, we must not only expand the infrastructures, but also create data ecosystems with which we can exchange digital information across sectors. Digitalization is a prerequisite for the optimal integration of decentralized plants into our energy system and for the continued safe and efficient operation of our power grids," says Tim Meyerjürgens, TenneT Managing Director.

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"The energy data-X project marks a turning point in the digital transformation of the German energy industry. At Spherity, we are proud to be at the forefront, contributing our expertise in Identity and trust. Our work will enhance cybersecurity, boost business efficiency, and drive innovation in a sustainable energy ecosystem." says Dr. Carsten Stöcker, CEO of Spherity.

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For the development and testing of the data ecosystem, energy data-X uses the open source and governance logic of the EU initiative Gaia-X. energy data-X has a project duration of three years and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) as part of the German government's 7th Energy Research Program.

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Sustainable and sovereign data exchange

In the EU digital strategy, data ecosystems are anchored as a fundamental prerequisite for the implementation of the European Green Deal and a European internal energy market. Therefore, energy data-X addresses all market players in the energy industry. A data ecosystem enables the development of data-driven innovations in the energy sector. Cross-sector networking with other data spaces is ensured by the interaction of the various systems (interoperability). One example of this networking is the link with Catena-X, the BMWK-funded data ecosystem of the automotive sector.

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The Gaia-X initiative forms an essential basis; central data storage is not required in this data ecosystem; the data remains with the data owners. The services that the data ecosystem enables are federated (decentralized) and are provided jointly by many actors. An identity and trust process ensures that the actors involved in the data ecosystem are known and trusted. The data ecosystem is accessed via a connector (software). This ensures via protected data connections (VPN) that only the data actually agreed upon is exchanged between the participants. This ensures the data sovereignty of the partners.

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Two use cases demonstrate potential added value of the data ecosystem

The energy data-X consortium will concretely demonstrate the function of the data ecosystem in two forward-looking use cases. By integrating smart meter gateways (SMGW) that transmit data from renewable energy plants and consumers into the data ecosystem, the first use case enables optimization of grid operations. Deviations between planned and actual feed-ins and withdrawals in a balancing group are detected in near real time and enable the responsible balancing group manager to immediately initiate the necessary balancing measures (clearing). This reduces the cost-intensive use of control energy. In the current clearing process, a deviation can only be assigned to the players weeks later.

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The second use case enables a balance between suppliers and demanders by tapping decentralized sources of flexibility. As large conventional power plants are replaced by decentralized renewable energy plants with weather-dependent power generation, the development of flexible feeders and consumers becomes more important for secure grid operation. The integration of small-scale, decentrally distributed facilities such as charging stations, battery storage for electric vehicles, and heat pumps into the data ecosystem unlocks their flexibility potential to stabilize the energy system.

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14 interdisciplinary "energy data-X" partners

The consortium partners are the transmission system operators TenneT (as consortium leader) and Amprion. In addition, two information and communication companies, PPC and Spherity, are represented. All aspects of standardization will be addressed by DKE (VDE) and the Fraunhofer Institutes IEE and IOSB/AST will contribute the current state of the art.

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The transmission system operators 50Hertz and TransnetBW and the distribution system operators E.ON and EWE NETZ are represented as associated partners. In addition, ARGE Netz will facilitate the provision of plant data for the testing of use cases. Eviden Germany and Microsoft are contributing their expertise in IT architecture and software development to the project. The International Data Spaces Association is responsible for systematic networking with other international data ecosystem projects, including in particular the BMWK lighthouse projects Catena-X and Manufacturing-X.

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Spherity is fully committed to aligning energy data-X with German government strategic goals by adhering to Catena-X and Manufacturing-X technology standards. At the core of our involvement, we prioritize flexibility aggregation, emphasizing the significance of EV batteries in mobility and energy sector coupling. Collaborating with Catena-X and automotive OEMs is central to our contribution to the energy data-X consortium.

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Spherity’s role in the energy data-X consortium

In the dynamic landscape of digital identity within the energy data-X project, Spherity is responsible for the "Identity & Trust" workstream and is seamlessly integrating wallets into the Eclipse Data Space infrastructure. Our extensive expertise in wallet technology and deep-rooted understanding of the energy domain bring a wealth of knowledge to the table, especially in the area of flexibility aggregation. Our primary focus lies in enhancing the identity aspects of organizations, assets, and systems, along with strengthening cyber-security measures.

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To read the press release in the original language (German), visit here.

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About Spherity:

Spherity is a German decentralized digital identity software provider that brings secure identities to enterprises, machines, products, data, and even algorithms. We provide the enabling technology to digitize and automate compliance processes in highly-regulated technical sectors. Our offered products empower cyber security, efficiency, and data interoperability among digital value chains. Spherity is an implementation partner of Gaia-X and a thought leader in the area of Digital Product Passports for all ESPR-regulated product categories.

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