Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

OpenEMS

openems.io

WebLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit openems.io
Spec score 7.1 #15 of 25 in Energy Management Software

What it is

OpenEMS is a free, modular open-source platform for monitoring, controlling, and integrating energy storage, renewable sources, and related devices and services. Its stack combines OpenEMS Edge for on-site device communication and control, OpenEMS UI for browser and smartphone access, and OpenEMS Backend for connecting Edge systems over the internet for aggregation, monitoring, and control. The architecture supports fast PLC-like control and reusable device-independent algorithms. Integrations cover batteries, solar and battery inverters, EV chargers, meters, tariffs, and data services, using interfaces such as MQTT, Modbus/TCP, Modbus/RTU, InfluxDB, M-Bus, 1-Wire, JSON/REST, and JSON/Websocket. Edge and Backend use Eclipse Public License 2.0; UI uses GNU Affero General Public License 3. Production deployment guidance covers Debian, Ubuntu, or Docker, and Java 21 is required. Source is available online and on GitHub, with monthly releases described. The getting-started setup is intended for testing, not production.

Spec sheet

Purpose
OpenEMS is a modular open-source platform for monitoring, controlling, and integrating energy storage, renewable energy sources, and complementary devices and services.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Intended users
The marketplace describes an ecosystem for hardware manufacturers, software developers, research institutes, universities, freelancers, and students.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.io
Deployment
The getting-started guide describes production deployment of Edge and Backend on Debian/Ubuntu or Docker.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Integrations
The OpenEMS Ready list includes integrations across energy storage, batteries, solar and battery inverters, EV charging stations, meters, tariffs, and data services.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.io
Security
The documented Backend-to-Backend API supports BasicAuth when a connection is opened.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Support
The project invites users to get in touch through the OpenEMS Community forum and says it is glad to support third parties taking their first steps.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
License
The documentation states that OpenEMS Edge and Backend use the Eclipse Public License 2.0, while OpenEMS UI uses the GNU Affero General Public License 3.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Founded
2016Read 28 Sep 2026 · openems.io
Components
Its IoT stack has OpenEMS Edge for on-site device communication and control, OpenEMS UI for browsers and smartphones, and OpenEMS Backend for connecting Edge systems and providing aggregation, monitoring, and control over the internet.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Control
The architecture supports fast, PLC-like device control and reusable, device-independent control algorithms.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Control and extensibility
The architecture supports fast, PLC-like device control, modular extension, and reusable device-independent control algorithms.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Extensibility
The software uses a modular architecture and modern programming languages to support extension.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Integration levels
OpenEMS Ready Basic indicates a device or service is integrated; Silver also requires the manufacturer or service provider to be an Association member; Gold additionally requires integration developed and supported by that manufacturer or provider.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.io
Marketplace
The OpenEMS Marketplace connects commercial users and people seeking or offering expertise, including developers, freelancers, students, research institutes, and universities.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.io
Project origin
The documentation says OpenEMS development was started by FENECON GmbH and that the software stack is used in private, commercial, and industrial applications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Protocols
Listed data interfaces include 1-Wire, InfluxDB, M-Bus, MQTT, Modbus/TCP, Modbus/RTU, JSON/REST, and JSON/Websocket.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.io
Runtime requirement
OpenEMS requires Java 21 to run, according to the getting-started guide.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Source and releases
The source code is available online and on GitHub, and the documentation says new versions are released monthly.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io
Testing limitation
The getting-started setup is intended for testing and is not recommended for production use.Read 7 Oct 2026 · openems.github.io

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source
  • Separate Edge, UI, and Backend components
  • PLC-like control with reusable algorithms
  • Broad energy-device integrations
  • API access and automated utility-data import

Limits

  • Requires Java 21
  • Getting-started setup is not for production
  • Different components use different licenses
  • Production deployment requires Debian, Ubuntu, or Docker

Who it suits

It suits universities, grid operators, manufacturers, software companies, and private or commercial energy owners. Developers can extend the modular stack and connect supported devices or services.

Verdict

OpenEMS offers a modular energy-control stack spanning local devices, user interfaces, and internet aggregation. Its broad protocols and integrations support extensible deployments, while production setup requires the documented runtime and deployment environments.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to OpenEMSAll alternatives →