OpenEMS
OpenEMS is a free, modular platform for monitoring and controlling energy storage, renewable energy sources, and related devices and services.
What OpenEMS is
OpenEMS is a free, modular platform for monitoring and controlling energy storage, renewable energy sources, and related devices and services. Its three-part IoT stack includes Edge for on-site device communication and control, UI for browsers and smartphones, and Backend for connecting Edge systems for internet-based aggregation, monitoring, and control. The architecture supports fast, PLC-like control and reusable algorithms that can work across devices. OpenEMS Ready integrations cover storage, batteries, solar and battery inverters, EV chargers, meters, tariffs, and data services; listed interfaces include MQTT, Modbus/TCP and RTU, InfluxDB, M-Bus, 1-Wire, JSON/REST, and JSON/Websocket. The source is online and on GitHub, and documentation describes monthly releases. Edge and Backend use the Eclipse Public License 2.0, while UI uses the GNU Affero General Public License 3. Production deployment guidance covers Debian/Ubuntu or Docker, and the software requires Java 21. The getting-started setup is intended for testing, not production use.
Good
- Free plan available
- Supports energy storage and renewable sources
- Browser and smartphone interface
- Includes multiple device and data interfaces
- API access and energy forecasting
Watch out
- Requires Java 21
- Getting-started setup is not recommended for production
- Production deployment guidance covers Debian/Ubuntu or Docker
Who it suits
OpenEMS may suit organizations managing energy assets across private, commercial, or industrial settings, including operators and hardware or software providers. It also serves users seeking energy monitoring, forecasting, and automated utility data import.
Verdict
OpenEMS combines device control, monitoring, and integrations in a modular stack. Check the runtime and deployment requirements before choosing it for production.
The facts
Each one read from OpenEMS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Control
- The architecture supports fast, PLC-like device control and reusable, device-independent control algorithms.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Control and extensibility
- The architecture supports fast, PLC-like device control, modular extension, and reusable device-independent control algorithms.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The getting-started guide describes production deployment of Edge and Backend on Debian/Ubuntu or Docker.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The software uses a modular architecture and modern programming languages to support extension.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The OpenEMS Ready list includes integrations across energy storage, batteries, solar and battery inverters, EV charging stations, meters, tariffs, and data services.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The marketplace describes an ecosystem for hardware manufacturers, software developers, research institutes, universities, freelancers, and students.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Marketplace
- The OpenEMS Marketplace connects commercial users and people seeking or offering expertise, including developers, freelancers, students, research institutes, and universities.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- Listed data interfaces include 1-Wire, InfluxDB, M-Bus, MQTT, Modbus/TCP, Modbus/RTU, JSON/REST, and JSON/Websocket.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenEMS is a modular open-source platform for monitoring, controlling, and integrating energy storage, renewable energy sources, and complementary devices and services.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Runtime requirement
- OpenEMS requires Java 21 to run, according to the getting-started guide.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The documented Backend-to-Backend API supports BasicAuth when a connection is opened.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Source and releases
- The source code is available online and on GitHub, and the documentation says new versions are released monthly.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Testing limitation
- The getting-started setup is intended for testing and is not recommended for production use.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2016checked 28 Sep 2026
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