Advancing Demand Response and Grid Flexibility with Standards-Based Energy Management
The OpenADR Alliance, a global standards body for energy management solutions, has announced the first-ever OpenADR 3.0 certified products, marking a major milestone in the adoption of standardised energy management technologies. As the demand for scalable, secure, and interoperable solutions continues to rise, companies such as E.ON Energy Networks, EVoke Systems, and Universal Devices have taken the lead in certifying their products under the latest OpenADR standard.
With these new certifications, the energy sector moves closer to a fully integrated ecosystem for automated demand response and distributed energy resource (DER) management, supporting grid flexibility and energy efficiency across various markets.
The Significance of OpenADR 3.0 Certification
Introduced just over a year ago, OpenADR 3.0 is a next-generation communications standard designed to simplify energy management, demand response, and grid coordination. It helps utilities, grid operators, and aggregators address the challenges posed by increasing distributed energy resources while automating energy transactions in real time.
Rolf Bienert, Managing and Technical Director at the OpenADR Alliance, highlighted the importance of this milestone, stating: “Standards like OpenADR 3.0 are critical to ensuring a seamless transition towards a more flexible, responsive, and intelligent energy grid. As more innovative products enter the market, it is encouraging to see our members achieve the first OpenADR 3.0 certifications, reinforcing the standard’s growing adoption.”
Pioneering OpenADR 3.0 Certified Products
The newly certified OpenADR 3.0 products span various applications, offering enhanced grid flexibility and automated demand response capabilities:
- E.ON Energy Networks (Sweden) – SWITCH Platform
E.ON Energy Networks has successfully certified its SWITCH platform, becoming the first Virtual Top Node (VTN) solution under OpenADR 3.0. SWITCH facilitates seamless communication between grid operators and customers with controllable energy resources, allowing for automated demand adjustments. Through forecasted and real-time power demand control, utilities can proactively manage grid stability, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency. - EVoke Systems (US) – Energy Services Exchange (ESX) Platform
EVoke Systems, a leading Charge Network Operator, has integrated OpenADR 3.0 into its Energy Services Exchange (ESX) platform. Developed in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory and industry partners, ESX enables real-time EV load management and distributed energy resource (DER) coordination. By delivering demand response signals to EV chargers, energy storage systems, and other smart assets, ESX enhances grid stability and incentivises customers to participate in dynamic pricing programs. - Universal Devices, Inc. (US) – OpenADR 3.0 Virtual End Node (VEN)
Universal Devices has launched its VEN-certified OpenADR 3.0 solution as an open-source initiative, removing barriers to smart grid adoption. By allowing seamless integration between utilities and consumers, Universal Devices is enabling greater participation in demand response and grid optimisation. The company is currently collaborating with Pacific Gas & Electric Company on a Demand Response Emerging Technology demonstration, exploring the real-world benefits of OpenADR 3.0 for grid flexibility and load management.
The Future of Standards-Based Energy Management
OpenADR 3.0 is designed to support a highly secure, fast, and reliable two-way information exchange, catering to utility applications with diverse communication needs. The standard enhances messaging capabilities, including real-time pricing updates, greenhouse gas signalling, and capacity management communications.
By achieving OpenADR certification, companies contribute to a global ecosystem of interoperable products, eliminating vendor lock-in and ensuring seamless compatibility across platforms. The OpenADR Certification Program rigorously tests products at one of ten approved test facilities, ensuring compliance and performance reliability.
The OpenADR Alliance will showcase its certified solutions and industry collaborations at DISTRIBUTECH 2025 in Dallas, Texas (March 24-27) at booth 1847, alongside key Alliance members. With OpenADR 3.0 gaining momentum, the future of automated, secure, and standardised energy management looks more promising than ever.
