PTA GmbH is a founding member
The “openKONSEQUENZ consortium”: a non-profit organization for energy grid operators
The consortium has set itself the goal of providing software that provides functional, efficient and secure support for processes in the safety-critical environment of network operators in the energy and water industry. At the same time, new requirements should be implemented promptly in order to be able to react quickly to market and / or technological developments.
Based on this vision, the openKONSEQUENZ consortium was formed, which has since defined standards for the architecture and quality of this software. The technical basis of the software is the openKONSEQUENZ platform, which is also designed to meet the latest security and ergonomic standards.
In addition to the specification tasks, the consortium also promotes the development of the individual software solutions. These are, on the one hand, the components of the openKONSEQUENZ platform itself and, on the other, the modules that provide the technical functionalities.
The solutions are made available to all network operators free of charge via the Eclipse platform. In addition, by publishing the source code, each network operator is able to make its own individual adjustments to the software, should the need arise.
The openKONSEQUENZ consortium has been active for several years and now has 21 members. These include network operating companies, IT service providers and non-profit research institutions. Due to the constantly growing number of members, it was necessary to find a suitable legal form in order to simplify internal processes and ensure legal capacity to act. In November 2017, openKONSEQUENZ founded a cooperative and now operates under the name “openKONSEQUENZ eG i.G.”.
The “openKONSEQUENZ platform”: the future standard solution for energy and water network operators
Every grid operator uses a grid control system to carry out the operational tasks of monitoring and controlling its electricity, gas, district heating and/or water grids. The network control systems are usually networked with other systems such as geo-information systems.
The need for action, and therefore the raison d’être of the openKONSEQUENZ platform, arises from the small number of manufacturers of network control systems who do not open up their software. As a result, network operators will have to commission any software adaptations themselves via the manufacturers. This is time-consuming and cost-intensive and is implemented individually for each network operator.
It will not be possible to replace the grid control systems in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the openKONSEQUENZ platform can implement many things more simply and cost-effectively. This begins with the fact that a software solution exists for all network operators. Bug fixes, optimizations and enhancements are therefore made available to all network operators without incurring any relevant additional costs. The “software product” openKONSEQUENZ is therefore constantly improving. The modular concept offers further advantages. The openKONSEQUENZ software solution offers a central interface to the network control systems in order to connect any modules to them. In addition, each network operator can decide for themselves which functionalities (modules) they want to use. And, of course, the openKONSEQUENZ platform also implements current security guidelines. The provision of the source code and comprehensive documentation also ensures independence from manufacturers and suppliers.
Overall, the use of the openKONSEQUENZ software solution will result in a reduction in individual adjustments to the network control systems.
PTA GmbH”: active participation in the consortium as a service provider member
After PTA GmbH was commissioned by the openKONSEQUENZ consortium to implement the operations logbook module at the beginning of 2017, PTA got to know the consortium, the people and the philosophy behind it. PTA GmbH has been part of the consortium as a service provider member since November 2017.
“We were convinced by the concept and therefore decided to become a member. Now we are even a founding member of the cooperative and can therefore play an active role in shaping the future,” explains Dr. Michel Alessandrini. “We are also underlining our expertise in the energy sector.”
As a service provider member, the PTA contributes to the further development of the architecture, quality and security standards of the openKONSEQUENZ platform, but also to the further development of the consortium itself by providing consulting services on IT-related issues. Other tasks include the implementation of additional modules and quality assurance for the development of modules by other IT service providers. The PTA also supports activities to raise awareness. From February 6 – 8, 2018, openKONSEQUENZ will have the opportunity to present itself and its software solution to a broad audience from the energy sector at the PTA stand at E-world.
