ENERGINET

DATAHUB 3.0 – NEW INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ELECTRICITY MARKET

Over the past four years, Energinet has been developing DataHub 3.0, with Mjølner involved every step of the way. DataHub 3.0 is a complex IT development project that both moves DataHub’s systems to the cloud and introduces new functionality to the electricity market.

The platform contains information about Danes’ electricity consumption and settlement. It ensures consistent communication and standardised processes across the Danish electricity market. DataHub serves as digital infrastructure for the electricity market and forms the foundation that enables both utility companies, consumers and third parties, such as Min Strøm, to exchange and use data.

Mjølner’s domain consultants are embedded directly in existing teams, working side by side with Energinet’s architects and developers. In the project, Mjølner has contributed specialist expertise in User Experience (UX), architecture, frontend and backend development, as well as DevOps.

Branche:

Energy & Utility

Vi leverede:

Softwarekonsulenter

Teknologi:

Digital transformation, User experience, DevOps, Cloud

A partnership of equals

DataHub 3.0 is organised as a large-scale agile software development project, where development teams collaborate across an agile delivery portfolio. At the same time, it is a major cross-industry collaboration, with all functions carrying significant dependencies on market participants’ systems and processes.

Mjølner’s consultants are part of the project as software development specialists, working as full team members on equal footing with Energinet’s internal employees.

It may seem like a small detail, but being able to work as equals within the team is essential to functioning effectively as one team while still maintaining a professional customer-supplier relationship.

One concrete example is the backend development of DataHub 3.0. Here, Mjølner’s consultants have been deeply involved in building the EDI system — the central interface between DataHub and the players in the electricity market. The EDI solution ensures that all communication related to metering data, calculation results and electricity consumption flows correctly and efficiently.

One of Mjølner’s consultants on the project, Mads Due, has played a key role in both the technical implementation and the cross-functional collaboration with the business:

“We work closely with the business to ensure that the solution can support future requirements — without requiring market participants to make changes to their own IT systems. That has been crucial to the success,”

explains Mads

More than just a delivery

The platform’s technical foundation is built on modern cloud technology, including Azure Functions, Event Hub, API Management and feature toggles, which provide flexibility in both testing and production. This makes it possible to roll out features such as electric heating calculations or quarter-hourly metering data without affecting operations for other users.

One particularly interesting technical challenge has been ensuring a scalable and financially responsible solution capable of handling the fourfold increase in data volumes introduced by quarter-hourly metering data. Testing and performance optimisation have been an important part of this work.

All teams involved in the project have implemented automated processes that make operations more efficient and secure. Certificate rotation and automated testing mean that potential issues are detected early, before they can have a negative impact on the solution.

“It has been a hugely educational process to be part of. We have had the opportunity to work with the latest technologies while keeping a strong focus on quality and deadlines. The close collaboration between our own Mjølner consultants and Energinet’s developers has made the project both challenging and genuinely rewarding,”

emphasizes Mads

The collaboration between Mjølner and Energinet is built on a shared understanding of the goal, informal and trust-based teamwork, and strong overall governance of deliveries and contracts, combined with close coordination on the onboarding and offboarding of specialists. Together, this has created a solid framework for delivering a complex project with many stakeholders and high demands in terms of both quality and delivery time.

Built-in high security in DataHub 3.0

The project has translated NIS1/NIS2, ISO 27001 and GDPR requirements into a secure infrastructure, robust processes and sound data management based on Security by Design principles. This means that security is considered from the outset and throughout the entire design and development process, making it a fundamental and fully integrated part of the solution. The result is a robust infrastructure where DataHub not only meets today’s requirements, but is also prepared for the challenges of tomorrow

Usability at the core: From design to implementation

When Energinet decided to upgrade DataHub to the next generation, DataHub 3.0, it was not just a matter of technical modernisation. A key objective was also to deliver a significant improvement in the user experience and visual design.

In collaboration with the business, developers, super users and end users, UX/UI specialists from Mjølner and Energinet identified challenges, needs and requirements, which were translated into concrete design improvements.

Mjølner has also contributed senior UX designers and frontend developers to Energinet’s development teams. Together, they have helped lay the foundation for a design system for DataHub 3.0 users.

To make the design system easy to use, we developed detailed guidelines that give developers a simple introduction to the components. At the same time, the team trained backend developers in user-centred design, helping lift the overall solution to a new level.

By bridging UX design and development teams, DataHub has created a solution that not only works technically, but also makes it easy and intuitive for users to navigate and use the system.

The Client

Energinet is an independent public enterprise that owns and operates Denmark’s electricity and gas transmission infrastructure, as well as its gas storage facilities. Its mission is to ensure a stable, secure and green energy supply for Denmark, while supporting the transition to a sustainable energy system. Energinet develops and operates innovative solutions that promote the integration of renewable energy and enable efficient energy exchange across national borders.