uegnet

uegnet, often written as UEGNet, refers to a concept rather than a single product. It denotes an open, interoperable overlay network designed to connect smart grid components, energy management systems, and market platforms to enable standardized data exchange and coordinated actions across providers and regions.

Origins and scope: The term emerged in sector discussions in the late 2010s as researchers and industry bodies sought common data models and secure communication for cross-border grid operations. There is no central authority; multiple organizations have proposed compatible specifications, resulting in a family of implementations rather than a single standard.

Architecture and data model: UEGNet architectures typically employ distributed nodes including sensors, edge gateways, regional data centers, and utility control rooms. Data is described using common schemas for generation, consumption, outages, equipment status, and market signals. The network uses a layered protocol stack with a transport layer implementing TLS, an authentication layer, and an application layer built around publish-subscribe patterns or REST-like interfaces.

Features and uses: Interoperability between vendors, scalability to large numbers of devices, real-time or near-real-time data delivery, and secure access control. It enables scenarios such as outage management, demand response, renewable energy integration, and cross-border energy trading.

Status and examples: Various pilots and open-source projects exist, with regional workstreams in different regions. Because it is not a single standard, implementations differ in governance, certification, and compliance with local regulations.