Energy

Hydroelectric Power. Wind Power. Bioenergy. Solar Energy. Geothermal. Residential, Commercial and Industrial energy. Open Source Software (OSS) and Open Source Hardware (OSH) are turning these possibilities into reality.

In the next 30 years, rapid innovations will change how we create, distribute and use energy with software-defined infrastructure as a critical tool for decarbonization. BloombergNEF estimates that for the energy sector to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions it will require infrastructure investments between $92-$173 trillion dollars by 2050. Even small gains in flexibility, efficiency and capacity in the clean energy and low-carbon industry will deliver value and savings.

Renewable energy is the fastest-growing global energy source, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Allied Market Research reports this market alone is set to grow from $880 billion to nearly $2 trillion by 2030. Distributing renewable energy to decarbonize the globally expanding power grid will take more power supplied by intermittent sources — such as solar and wind —and increase the demand for forecasting, coordination and flexible consumption to ensure safe and reliable energy operations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), The Internet of Things (IoT) and the Internet of Energy (IoE) — which involves edge and cloud architecture with sensors and scanners processing information at the point where the power is generated or used through remote data centers — as well other emerging digital technologies such as blockchain, will also play essential roles in power generation and distribution, The U.S. Department Office of Energy, Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) is dedicated to moving America towards clean, affordable and secure energy. To accomplish its mission, EERE relies, in part, on Open Source projects.

The organization’s documented “Open Source Strategy” is indicative of the energy sector’s reliance on OSS solutions. In addition, LF Energy — a Linux Foundation initiative focused on the power systems sector— will transform the world’s relationship to energy as it seeks to apply Open Source principles.

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Here are a few highlights about our community members:

Estée Lauder — a 3rd generation, family-owned business & one of the world’s leading makers of more than 25 well-known beauty brands — reports it sources 100% renewable electricity across its operations. To reduce its carbon footprint, the company signed an agreement for 22 MW of wind power & has installed solar panels totaling 5 MW across various facilities.

Google | OIN Community Member

Google has been powered by 100% renewable energy for 4 years & was the 1st company of its size to set such an ambitious goal. To conserve energy, the tech giant uses less to begin with while meeting its computing needs and plans to run its operation entirely carbon-free by 2030. Renewable energy projects are taking place across 4 continents, relying on wind & solar power.

Hitachi | OIN Community Member

Hitachi Energy is co-creating global and local solutions to solve the global challenge of an inclusive and equitable carbon-neutral future. It serves sustainable mobility, smart cities, energy storage & data centers.

PepperL + Fuchs | OIN Community Members

Pepperl+Fuchs relies on Open source tools to optimize its operations and reduce costs as a worldwide pioneer & innovator in electrical explosion protection & sensor technology. Its sensors are used on wind turbines for photovoltaic solar arrays, solar trackers & position tracking.

Schneider Electric | OIN Community Member

A frontrunner in energy sustainability, Schneider Electric SE introduced  its “Zero Carbon Project” in 2021 and is committed to minimizing operational carbon emissions by 2025.

SMA Solar Technology | OIN Community Member

SMA Solar Technology, a global energy equipment supplier headquartered in Germany, produces & manufactures new technologies, many of which use Open Source technologies — to help clients save on energy costs by relying on solar power.

OIN Community Members

Open Source Advocates | Energy

Open Charge Alliance | OIN Community Member
Pepperl + Fuchs | OIN Community Member
APS | OIN Community Member
SolarCity | OIN Community Member
SMA Solar Technology | OIN Community Member
LF Energy | OIN Community Member
Schneider Electric | OIN Community Member

What Members are Saying

Open source technology, especially Linux, drives innovation in areas that are critical to the customers that we serve, including technologies such as servers, storage, cloud, converged applications, big data and IoT. By joining Open Invention Network, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to open source technology, and supporting it with patent non-aggression in Linux.  
Norihiro SuzukiVice President and Executive Officer - CTOHitachi