What InterSTORE does

InterSTORE is an EU-funded Horizon Europe research project (Grant Agreement No 101096511) that operated from January 2023 to December 2025 on a total budget of €4.3 million. Coordinated by Prof. Antonello Monti of RWTH Aachen University with Alexandre Lucas of INESC TEC as Technical Coordinator, the project was executed by a 12-partner consortium spanning seven European countries (Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, and Portugal) and combining research institutions (RWTH Aachen, INESC TEC, Forschungszentrum Jülich, VDE/DKE), commercial technology providers (Sunesis, Engineering Group, CyberGrid), energy companies (Enel X, CapWatt, HESS), and industry associations (EASE). Its functional purpose was to build open-source interoperability tooling that removes protocol fragmentation across distributed and hybrid energy storage systems.

The project delivered a portfolio of four core open-source artifacts: a Legacy Protocol Converter (LPC) that translates Modbus, MQTT, and RabbitMQ into IEEE 2030.5 and runs on low-cost hardware such as Raspberry Pi; a native IEEE 2030.5 Client-Server Library integrated with NATS messaging for low-latency many-to-many communication; a Data Space Connector for secure, blockchain-authorized stakeholder data exchange; and the HyDEMS platform for aggregating hybrid energy assets into market-ready flexibility solutions. The middleware virtualizes storage technology behind a technology-agnostic interface, validated across nine use cases at five pilot sites in Austria (residential), Germany (commercial), Italy (e-mobility), Portugal (industrial), and Spain (lab testing), with reported outcomes of 86% integration-time reduction on Raspberry Pi deployments and 50ms NATS-based communication latency.

InterSTORE is not a commercial entity and generates no customer revenue; the project operates a community-led go-to-market with open-source distribution on GitHub and Docker Hub, supplemented by IEEE conference presence, webinars, white papers, and quarterly stakeholder meetings targeting energy storage manufacturers and integrators, utilities and grid operators, energy aggregators, and renewable energy communities. As of May 2025, the core tooling was transferred into the Linux Foundation for Energy under the CUPID initiative (Controllable Unit Protocol Interface for Distributed Energy Resources) to provide neutral governance and continued open-source development beyond the December 2025 project closure.

Name

InterSTORE

Legal name

InterSTORE

Website

https://interstore-project.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

InterSTORE is an EU-funded Horizon Europe research project that built open-source interoperability tooling for distributed and hybrid energy storage systems, coordinating 12 partners to deliver IEEE 2030.5-based middleware now continued as the CUPID initiative under Linux Foundation Energy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Management Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

EMS / SCADA / DERMS Controls Integration for Storage (EUAEAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

VPP Orchestration & Aggregator Operating Platforms (EUAFAKAC), DER & Microgrid Interconnection / Grid Edge Integration Services (EUAEANAF), Microgrid + Storage EPC & Systems Integration (EUAEAEAD)

Keywords

• Energy storage interoperability
• Open-source energy tools
• Distributed energy resources
• Protocol conversion software
• Energy management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. EU Research Funding: Horizon Europe research and innovation programme grant (€4.3 million total project budget). The project is a not-for-profit research initiative focused on developing and validating open-source tools, not generating commercial revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

InterSTORE develops and distributes open-source interoperability software for distributed and hybrid energy storage systems. Its core toolkit includes the Legacy Protocol Converter (LPC), an IEEE 2030.5 Client-Server Library with NATS messaging, the Data Space Connector for secure stakeholder data exchange, and the HyDEMS Platform for aggregating hybrid energy assets. All tools are released under open-source licenses for adoption by energy storage manufacturers, grid operators, utilities, aggregators, and energy communities.

Product overview

InterSTORE is an EU-funded Horizon Europe project developing an open-source interoperability toolkit for hybrid energy storage systems. The core portfolio consists of the Legacy Protocol Converter (LPC) for translating Modbus/MQTT/RabbitMQ to IEEE 2030.5, the IEEE 2030.5 Client-Server Library with NATS messaging integration, the Data Space Connector for secure stakeholder data exchange, and the HyDEMS platform for aggregating hybrid energy assets. These tools work together to enable seamless integration of diverse distributed energy resources with existing energy management systems, reducing device integration time by up to 86%. All tools are open-source and available via GitHub and Docker Hub, with the project transitioning to Linux Foundation for Energy as the CUPID initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Legacy Protocol Converter (LPC) Lightweight, microservice-based tool deployable on low-cost devices such as Raspberry Pi that translates legacy communication protocols (Modbus, MQTT, RabbitMQ) into IEEE 2030.5. Features TLS encryption, authentication, certificate options, load-balancing deployments, and a configurable UI for protocol transformations without manual coding. Achieved an 86% reduction in integration time in German pilots.
• IEEE 2030.5 Client-Server Library Native client-server library implementing the IEEE 2030.5 standard for seamless interoperability between distributed energy devices, integrated with NATS messaging for low-latency many-to-many communication and JSON format support. Forms the core communication standard for DER integration.
• Data Space Connector Open-source framework enabling secure, real-time data exchange between energy stakeholders. Features a push mechanism for near real-time services, full NATS/IEEE 2030.5 integration, and blockchain-backed authorisation for transparent and verifiable transactions.
• HyDEMS Platform Hybrid Energy and Flexibility Management System that aggregates hybrid energy assets into flexible, market-ready solutions. Enables aggregation of distributed storage systems for flexibility provision and monetization.
• Testing Procedures and Software Tools Comprehensive test suite and procedures for validating interoperability of distributed energy resources. Part of the open-source interoperability toolkit released for community use.
• HESS Dimensioning Methodology Methodology for efficient integration of Hybrid Energy Storage Systems, enabling optimal sizing and configuration of combined storage technologies including lithium batteries, vanadium redox flow, heat pumps, and EV chargers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 86% reduction in integration time using Raspberry Pi-based LPC deployments
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Linux Foundation for EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025CUPID project (Controllable Unit Protocol Interface for Distributed Energy Resources) was approved as Linux Foundation for Energy project. Provides long-term open-source governance, community support, and broader industry adoption pathway.
• Int:netminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2024Project establishing open cross-domain community for European energy sector interoperability. InterSTORE presented at Int:net booth and sessions at Enlit Europe.
• FLEXCHESSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2023EU Horizon project cluster partnership on flexible energy storage. Focus on Virtual Energy Storage Systems, digital twins, and interoperability for energy communities.
• PARMENIDESminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2023EU Horizon project cluster partnership developing energy management systems for hybrid storage. Introduces PARMENIDES Energy Community Ontology (PECO) for electricity and heating domains.
• RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Project coordinator and technical lead. Prof. Antonello Monti serves as project coordinator. The Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems provides technical support for interoperability solutions and leads testing and validation activities.
• INESC TECcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Technical coordination and Centre for Power and Energy Systems research. Alexandre Lucas serves as Technical Coordinator. Research focus on power systems, smart grids, and grid integration of distributed energy resources.
• SunesiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Software and IT services company developing Legacy Protocol Converter. Specializes in microservices, APIs, containers, and DevOps. Responsible for low-cost deployment solutions including Raspberry Pi implementations.
• CyberGridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Cloud-based platform for decentralized grid with storage capacities. Provides aggregation platform for energy communities and optimization algorithms. Manages Austrian pilot focusing on peer-to-peer trading.
• Forschungszentrum JülichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023German national research institution developing models and algorithms for simulation, optimization, and control of energy systems. Focus on multi-physical energy grids, industrial energy systems, and buildings.
• Engineering GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Digital transformation company with ~12,000 associates. Develops Data Space Connector and shared services. Focus on cloud, cybersecurity, AI, and data for digital ecosystems.
• Enel XcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Global advanced energy services business line of Enel. Manages demand response services with 8.2 GW capacity. Provides Italian pilot with X Lab testing facilities for residential, commercial, and industrial scenarios.
• CapWattcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Innovating company promoting integrated energy solutions. Hosts Portuguese industrial flexibility pilot with PV systems, EV chargers, storage system, and CHP. Plans include hybrid ESS and second-life battery integration.
• HESS (Hesstec)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Spanish partner hosting high-performance lab testing for fast frequency services. Presents at IEEE conferences on hybrid energy storage systems and grid-forming technologies.
• EatonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Intelligent power management company focused on electrification and digitalization. Contributes to energy storage interoperability standards development.
• Energy Storage Europe Association (EASE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Leading association in Brussels representing organizations across entire energy storage value chain. Supports deployment of storage for climate-neutral energy transition. Manages communication and dissemination.
• VDE/DKEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023German commission for electrical standardization representing ~9,000 experts. Standards support global trade, safety, interoperability. Represents German industry in European and international standardization organizations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• TWAICE: Battery analytics software provider using AI for predictive maintenance and lifetime optimization. Adjacent to InterSTORE's anomaly-detection capability for storage, focused on the analytics layer rather than the integration layer.
• envelio: Cologne-based grid integration software provider (Intelligent Grid Platform) for distribution system operators. Comparable European focus on grid-edge integration and DER hosting capacity, with a more commercial/SaaS positioning.
• KISTERS: German software vendor for energy data management, metering, and trading platforms serving European utilities. Comparable as a European-headquartered vendor targeting utility-grade DER integration and energy management workflows.

Direct peers

• Opus One Solutions: Grid optimization software provider (GridOS) for distribution utilities integrating DERs, storage, and renewables. Comparable in DER orchestration and grid-edge interoperability for North American and European utilities.
• Smarter Grid Solutions (Generac): DERMS vendor (ANM Strata) for active network management and DER integration, now part of Generac. Comparable in managing heterogeneous distributed energy resources and protocol-level interoperability for utilities.
• Stem (STEM Inc.): AI-driven clean energy storage and software provider (Stem Athena platform) optimizing behind-the-meter and front-of-meter storage assets. Comparable target customers (utilities, aggregators, storage owners) and overlap on DER orchestration software.
• AutoGrid (Schneider Electric): Distributed energy resources management platform (now part of Schneider Electric) enabling VPP and flexibility services. Direct competitor in DER aggregation, dispatch, and protocol integration for flexibility markets.
• Fluence: Global energy storage product and services provider offering Fluence Mosaic, an AI-enabled operating system for storage and DER fleets. Directly comparable as a competing software platform for distributed energy storage management and aggregation.
• EnergyHub: DERMS platform provider for utilities and aggregators managing distributed energy resources including storage, EVs, and smart thermostats. Closely aligned with InterSTORE's interoperability and aggregation focus for grid-edge assets.

Broad incumbents

• Wartsila Energy Storage (formerly Younicos): Energy storage hardware and GridSolv Quantum platform provider, parent of former Younicos software assets. Overlaps with InterSTORE in storage systems integration and hybrid energy storage solutions, but operates at much larger scale across global utility markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/InterSTORE_eu
• GitHubgithub.com/Horizont-Europe-Interstore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interstoreproject

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about InterSTORE