Welcome to the IES - Integrating the Energy System Initiative!
Unlocking the power of interoperability for successful energy system transformation
In the dynamic world of energy transformation, interoperability is the key to success. The IES initiative provides a common understanding and framework for developing and reusing data exchange solutions: interoperability profiles instead of proprietary solutions. Interoperability profiles make it easier to develop and reuse solutions across different systems The transparency of the process ensures sustainable investment protection for vendors and promotes competition, increasing product quality and performance at lower cost.
Synergies from cross-sector knowledge transfer with healthcare experience
Ever wondered what the healthcare sector and energy have in common? The IES initiative cleverly taps into the proven success of the healthcare sector's interoperability systems, borrowing insights from the global non-profit organization IHE (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise). We're talking about a global reference using the ISO/TR 28380 methodology, leveraging existing profiles, and utilizing the open-source Gazelle testing platform. This cross-sector knowledge transfer is a game-changer.
The IES approach provides clear, fair and cooperative governance for collaboration
Effective systems integration depends on harmonised technical standards. Interoperability, the seamless interaction of different systems, requires strict adherence to these standards, which are defined in interoperability profiles. The essence of the IES approach lies in fostering agile collaboration between different stakeholders, including users, technicians, scientists, engineers and managers. All participants contribute equally and work together to develop solutions tailored to the needs of the domain.
With a customised step-by-step service, the IES approach helps experts define profiles and helps vendors prepare and perform interoperability testing. The result? Smooth integration and improved system efficiency. You will find a detailed description of the entire process chain in the White Paper.
| Governance | Building a community as process owners for a vendor-independent B2B co-creation process
| Profiles | Guided process for developing "Technical Frameworks" containing the integration profiles
| Tests | Provide software testing tools for vendors to test their software products for compliance and interoperability
| Adoption | Part of the governance is the public access to results (“Technical Frameworks”, successful test results)
Austria as a pioneer of interoperability in the energy sector
The Austrian R&D project "IES-Austria" addressed interoperability for the first time and established a methodology and test facility for ICT systems in the energy sector. The project has developed expertise in the specification of integration profiles and test environments, in particular for peer-to-peer interoperability testing. Austria's expertise is a global advantage, paving the way for international recognition and high-quality jobs in research, development, production, and services.
From Initiative to European Vision
Imagine a seamlessly connected energy system across Europe. The IES approach follows the proven IHE-methodology based on ISO/TR 28380, aligning with European standardization organizations and the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM). The IES initiative aims to harmonize processes globally and facilitate communication among decentralized energy components. Collaborating with key players in the energy sector and other European initiatives is at the core. IES provides support, training, and tools, aligning with the SET-Plan Action 4 Implementation Plan 2018. Our vision is not just an initiative but a European organization driving interoperability in the ICT system process chain.
Beyond energy: The IES approach is suitable for digitalisation challenges in any sector
Good news! The IES methodology is not exclusive to energy. Inspired by the Healthcare Industry's processes, it's designed for any data exchange between ICT systems in various industries. In the centre of the approach is the Technical Framework, jointly crafted by industry users and vendors, ready for implementation post-publication. Our experts are here to guide vendors and users, providing software tools for interoperability testing and supporting the development of sustainable processes across sectors.
Join us on this journey of seamless connectivity and interoperability – where the future of energy and beyond becomes simpler, more efficient, and truly interconnected. Welcome to IES!
Synergies from cross-sector knowledge transfer
· IHE serves as a global reference for its proven, holistic methodology
· The IES experience accelerates results in other sectors
· Synergies through use of existing generic profiles, e.g. for security and privacy
· Leverage the proven open source Gazelle testing platform for other sectors
At the international level, the IES approach has already been introduced:
· Setplan Activity 4, Implementation Plan
· ISGAN Annex 6 Discussion Paper “Flexibility needs in the future power system”[1]
· dena, “Interfaces and Standards for the Digitisation of the Energy Transition”[2]
· The scientific publication of the IES Austria project can be found on Researchgate.net.[3]
· White Paper for a sector neutral Interoperability Process [4]
[1]ISGAN_DiscussionPaper_Flexibility_Needs_In_Future_Power_Systems_2019.docx (iea-isgan.org)[2] Study (dena.de) [3] (PDF) From Integration Profiles to Interoperability Testing for Smart Energy Systems at Connectathon Energy (researchgate.net)[4] White Paper for an Sector Neutral Interoperability Process