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Energy Management System (EMS)

Sourceful's Energy Management System (EMS) provides intelligent coordination and optimization of distributed energy resources. It combines cloud-based intelligence with edge execution to deliver low-latency control while maintaining resilience.

Architecture Overview​

The Sourceful EMS uses a hybrid cloud-edge architecture designed for both performance and reliability:

Cloud Layer:

  • Core EMS coordination logic
  • Optimization algorithms (price-based, tariff-aware)
  • Site-level intelligence and forecasting
  • Multi-site coordination and aggregation

Edge Layer (Zap):

  • Local command execution
  • Real-time device control
  • Fallback logic for offline operation
  • Secure credential storage (public/private key cryptography)

Communication:

  • Low-latency bidirectional communication between cloud and Zap
  • Secure authentication using cryptographic keys stored on Zap
  • Real-time coordination for global energy protocol participation

How It Works​

1. Discovery and Connection​

The Zap discovers and establishes connections with Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) at your site. Upon activation, the Zap:

  • Authenticates with the Sourceful platform using secure credentials
  • Reports available DERs and their capabilities
  • Establishes low-latency communication channels
  • Begins telemetry streaming

2. Cloud-Based Optimization​

The Sourceful EMS analyzes your site data and makes intelligent decisions:

  • Price optimization: Charge when electricity is cheap, discharge when expensive
  • Tariff optimization: Minimize costs based on your specific rate structure
  • Grid services: Participate in flexibility markets and demand response
  • Forecast-based control: Predict solar generation, consumption patterns, and prices

The optimizer considers:

  • Real-time and forecasted electricity prices
  • Tariff structures (time-of-use, demand charges, etc.)
  • Weather forecasts and solar generation predictions
  • Historical consumption patterns
  • Battery state of charge and capabilities
  • Grid service opportunities

3. Edge Execution​

Optimization decisions are sent to the Zap, which:

  • Executes commands locally with minimal latency
  • Translates high-level intents to device-specific protocols
  • Monitors execution and reports status back to cloud
  • Maintains secure control of connected DERs

4. Fallback and Resilience​

If the Zap loses internet connectivity, it continues operating with fallback logic:

  • Safe default behavior (e.g., maintain battery SoC, prevent over-discharge)
  • Pre-cached schedules continue execution
  • Local decision-making for critical operations
  • Automatic reconnection and sync when connectivity returns

Why hybrid? While the Zap provides edge intelligence and resilience, the cloud coordination is essential for:

  • Global energy coordination protocol participation
  • Real-time market integration and price optimization
  • Multi-site coordination and aggregation
  • Advanced forecasting and machine learning models

This aligns with Sourceful's core thesis: building the coordination protocol for global energy markets requires low-latency cloud connectivity combined with resilient edge execution.

Site-Based Optimization​

The EMS operates at the Site level (see Data Models for hierarchy details):

A Site represents the logical grouping of your energy system - everything "behind the meter":

  • Your grid connection point (meter)
  • Solar panels (PV)
  • Battery storage
  • EV charger
  • Hybrid inverter
  • Other connected devices

The EMS optimizes the entire site as a coordinated system, not individual devices in isolation. For example:

  • Charge battery from solar before exporting to grid
  • Delay EV charging until electricity prices drop
  • Discharge battery during peak price periods
  • Coordinate multiple batteries for maximum value

Device and Protocol Support​

The EMS controls devices through the Zap's protocol-agnostic communication:

  • Modbus-TCP/RTU: Inverters, batteries, EV chargers
  • MQTT: IoT devices and smart controllers
  • P1: Meter data for optimization inputs
  • Future protocols: Expanding to support more device types

The EMS automatically recognizes device types and tailors control commands to each device's specific capabilities and communication protocol.

Current Status​

The Sourceful EMS is not currently open to external developers. It operates as an integrated service for Sourceful users.

Key capabilities:

  • Automatic site optimization (no configuration required)
  • Price and tariff-aware charging/discharging
  • Grid service participation (where available)
  • Multi-device coordination
  • Resilient operation with cloud-edge hybrid model

We may open EMS capabilities to developers in the future. If you're interested in building energy applications on Sourceful's platform, please contact us at developer@sourceful.energy.

Data Access​

While the EMS itself is not open, developers can access:

  • Real-time telemetry from connected DERs via GraphQL API
  • Historical data for analytics and visualization
  • Site metadata and configuration
  • Price and tariff data via the Price API

See Authentication & Permissioning for details on OAuth-style access with user-granted scopes.