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Details
Deep dive
Components
Utilihive iPaaS
Utilihive iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) is a tool that helps energy companies and utilities connect their systems, manage data, and improve their operations by making integration processes simpler and more efficient. It’s built around the concept of flows, which are like pipelines that manage how data moves and is processed between different systems.
iPaaS Features
Flow-server: This is the heart of the platform. Think of it as the engine that powers and manages all the data flows. These flows are essentially instructions for how data should move from one place to another and what should happen to it along the way. The Flow-server makes sure these instructions are carried out correctly and efficiently, keeping everything running smoothly in real time.
API Management and Access Control: APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) act like bridges that let different software systems talk to each other. For example, if one system needs data from another, the API facilitates that exchange. This feature ensures that access to these APIs is controlled, meaning only authorised users or systems can access specific data. It also includes tools to define roles (who can do what), secure the APIs (to prevent unauthorised access), and generate documentation and reports about how the APIs are being used. This is crucial for keeping systems secure and well-organised.
Insights API: This feature provides a way to monitor and understand how well the platform is performing. It offers access to important data points or metrics, such as how efficiently data flows are running, where potential bottlenecks might be, and what needs attention. It’s like having a dashboard that gives you an overview of the system's health, helping businesses make better decisions and ensure everything works as it should.
SDK (Software Development Kit): This is a set of tools designed for developers who need to create or customise integration flows. It allows them to build and test these flows in a controlled environment before implementing them in the real world. This ensures that any issues or bugs can be fixed in advance, minimising disruptions. It’s a bit like a workshop where developers can safely experiment and fine-tune their solutions.
Lowcode DSL (Domain-Specific Language): This feature is designed to make coding much simpler. Traditional coding can be time-consuming and complex, but Lowcode DSL provides an easier way to write instructions for data flows. It’s tailored specifically for integration tasks and even documents itself as you go, which means anyone can quickly understand what the code does later. This saves time and makes the process more accessible, even for people who aren’t expert coders.
In simple terms, Utilihive iPaaS makes it easier for energy companies to connect their systems, manage data more effectively, and adopt new technologies without getting bogged down by technical challenges. It’s designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and give companies the tools they need to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
Utilihive Console
The Utilihive Console is a user-friendly, web-based dashboard that helps manage and monitor the various services and features offered by Utilihive. It’s designed to give users an easy way to interact with the platform and track performance. Depending on which modules are enabled for your instance, the console offers several useful tools:
Heartbeat
The Heartbeat feature is part of the Flow-server, which manages and monitors the "flows" (data pipelines) you have set up. It provides a quick overview of what’s happening with your flows:
In-flight messages: Shows how many messages are currently being processed.
Completed messages: Tracks how many messages were processed successfully.
Failed messages: Displays errors or failed data transfers, so you can identify and fix issues quickly.
Reporting: Heartbeat can also generate reports over a specific time period. This helps track performance and identify patterns.
Flow monitoring: Users can drill down into individual flows, trace messages, and manage credentials that allow access to different endpoints.
Datalake
The Datalake is a collection of tools within the console that helps users interact with stored data. It supports advanced data processing and analysis with features like:
Data Services: Enables users to perform queries on the data using a GraphQL API.
Workflows: Allows users to view and manage active and archived workflows, ensuring all processes are running as expected.
Notebooks: A tool for creating and sharing computational documents, such as analysis or reports, using Jupyter Notebook.
Superset: Lets users explore and visualise data in an interactive way, making it easier to spot trends and insights.
The Datalake is perfect for organisations that need to extract value from their data and use it to make informed decisions.
Ghostwriter
The Ghostwriter module lets users simulate events like meter readings or system behaviours. It’s especially useful for testing how flows respond to various situations:
Simulations: Users can create simulations for specific time zones and generate events like power outages or corrupted data to test their flows.
Custom events: These simulations can trigger special conditions, helping users refine their data pipelines and ensure systems perform well under different scenarios.
With Ghostwriter, you can test and optimise your data flows before implementing them in real-world operations.
If you’re curious to learn more about Utilihive, watch this Introduction to Utilihive from Greenbird.
Utilihive's Acquisition
Utilihive, the integration platform developed by Greenbird Integration Technology AS, is now part of GE Vernova following an acquisition in August 2023. This acquisition aims to enhance GE Vernova's GridOS software portfolio and streamline data integration for utilities, making it easier for them to connect systems and manage energy data effectively. Despite the acquisition, Utilihive remains a key product under the Greenbird brand within GE Vernova.
Sources: env.vc, smart-energy.com
Partnership: TRC and Greenbird
TRC Companies and Greenbird Integration Technology have partnered to help modernise energy grids and speed up the digital transformation of utilities. Greenbird brings its Utilihive platform to the table. By joining forces, the two companies aim to reduce integration times, improve efficiency, and make it easier for utilities to adapt to modern challenges.
This partnership focuses on solving a common problem utilities face: dealing with outdated systems that don’t work well together, which often leads to delays and inefficiencies. With Utilihive's out-of-the-box solutions and TRC's deep knowledge of the energy sector, they’re creating a faster, more connected way for utilities to handle their data and systems.
Craig Cavanaugh, President of TRC's Digital Solutions, highlights that this partnership combines TRC's industry expertise with Greenbird's leading technology to bring value to utility clients:
"This combination will bring a unified and localized experience to our utility clients, helping them simplify integration efforts and speed up time to value."
Thorsten Heller, Greenbird’s CEO, adds that Utilihive’s modern architecture is key to tackling the growing data needs of utilities, helping them reduce costs, meet regulations, and improve their operations.
Together, TRC and Greenbird are helping utilities embrace smarter, more efficient ways of working while preparing them for the future of energy grids.
Source: trccompanies.com
Pricing
The pricing and plans for Utilihive are not publicly available. If you're interested in learning more about the costs or specific packages, I recommend reaching out directly to the Greenbird team at info@greenbird.com. They can provide detailed information tailored to your needs.
Closing Insights
If you’re in the energy sector, you know how tough it can be to get different systems talking to each other smoothly. That’s where Utilihive shines—it takes the complexity out of integration with its prebuilt connectors, data flows, and user-friendly tools like the Data Lake and API. What’s even better is how it sets you up to take advantage of new technologies, whether it’s managing renewable energy or improving customer services. If your utility is looking to modernise and get ahead of the curve, this is definitely a platform worth exploring.
