Exploring decentralized data management: a case study of changing energy suppliers in Germany

Energy Informatics, vol. 7

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents an innovative approach to decentralized data management in the German energy market, focusing on the use of decentralized data management with the help of Data Spaces to facilitate the automated change of energy suppliers within 24 h. The central focus of this research is the MakoMaker Space, a demonstrator project that employs the Connector from the Eclipse Data Space Components. The MakoMaker project demonstrates the successful automation of energy supplier changes, emphasizing the preservation of customer data sovereignty. It shows an alternative approach to the process, putting the customer into the center. Customers retain control of their data, which is accessible to providers as needed. While the paper discusses the potential for further enhancements, such as the integration of an identity provider and the development of a sustainable business model for service coordination, the primary focus is on the demonstrator’s successful application in a pilot setting.

Authors 6

1. Linda Rülicke corresponding

   Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Energy Informatics, Fraunhofer IEE, Joseph-Beuys-Straße 8, Kassel, 34117, Hessen, Germany

2. Florian Fehrle

   Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Energy Informatics, Fraunhofer IEE, Joseph-Beuys-Straße 8, Kassel, 34117, Hessen, Germany

3. Arne Martin

   Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation

   Affiliation as printed

   Energy Informatics, Fraunhofer IOSB-AST, Am Vogelherd 90, Ilmenau, 98693, Thüringen, Germany

4. Antonello Monti Aachen Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems

   Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Digital Energy, Fraunhofer FIT, Mathieustraße 10, Aachen, 52074, NRW, Germany

   Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Mathieustraße 10, Aachen, 52074, NRW, Germany

5. Volker Berkhout

   Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Energy Informatics, Fraunhofer IEE, Joseph-Beuys-Straße 8, Kassel, 34117, Hessen, Germany

6. Oliver Warweg

   Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation

   Affiliation as printed

   Energy Informatics, Fraunhofer IOSB-AST, Am Vogelherd 90, Ilmenau, 98693, Thüringen, Germany