Open Source in OT: A Strategic Choice for the Energy Solutions of the Future
The energy and utilities sector operates in an OT landscape where operational stability, cybersecurity, and compliance are non-negotiable. At the same time, demands for flexibility and integration are increasing. This challenges traditional vendor models. Open source is not a miracle solution, but for many organizations, it can be a strategic response to these challenges.
The need for new functionality in OT solutions has grown significantly. Many organizations find that the development pace of traditional vendors does not always match their need for rapid adaptation. So-called cloud-native, open-source software supports a more modular and independent approach, where solutions are composed of smaller components that can be continuously adapted and replaced.
According to André Bryde Alnor, Energy Solution Strategist at Mjølner, this shift is already taking place in the energy sector. Open source has set the standard in the IT world, and with initiatives such as LF Energy, we are now seeing how this approach can create shared innovation and strengthen control in the energy sector.
Read on to learn why open source has become a strategic alternative to traditional vendor solutions for many energy companies.
Greater Control and Transparency
The open codebases in open-source software provide insight into how a solution actually works, creating greater transparency. At the same time, open licenses allow you to adapt and replace components as needed. In many commercial solutions, the contents are more closed, which can make it more difficult to gain full insight into architecture and dependencies.
”With open source, you gain real influence. You can see exactly what is contained in the open codebase. As an operator, vendor, or regulator, you can therefore verify functionality and security yourself and make changes that match your organization or business,”
Rapid Handling of Vulnerabilities
In many cases, vulnerabilities are handled quickly in open-source communities because errors are discovered and shared openly. This gives organizations the opportunity to respond quickly, provided they have control over updates and operations. The collaborative approach makes it easier to manage and close vulnerabilities in critical systems.
“I have worked with a product that was attacked, where the vulnerability affected organizations globally. We were able to resolve the situation within a couple of hours, while others spent several days. Quite simply because we could replace the product and get a fix immediately,”
Scalability and Flexibility
With open source combined with a loosely coupled architecture, parts of the system landscape can be adjusted without replacing entire platforms. This enables energy-sector organizations to quickly scale and adapt solutions to changing needs in a sector where requirements are evolving rapidly.
“I have worked with a product that was attacked, where the vulnerability affected organizations globally. We were able to resolve the situation within a couple of hours, while others spent several days. Quite simply because we could replace the product and get a fix immediately,”
Cost Efficiency
When using open source for OT solutions, you can reduce licensing costs and redirect more resources from licenses to development and operations. At the same time, functionality can be implemented quickly by selecting and configuring existing components.
”You gain access to extensive functionality at a low cost because you do not have to pay licenses or struggle through vendor negotiations about IP and contractual obligations,”
Shared Innovation and Collaboration
Open source creates opportunities for joint development across the energy sector. When multiple organizations collaborate on shared components, they can share costs, reduce duplicate work, and develop new solutions faster.
”It is valuable because we collaborate on a voluntary basis and find interesting solutions to problems that are specific to the energy sector, but not unique to the individual vendor,”
The changes and new functionality that emerge from this collaboration can be implemented much faster, as organizations are not dependent on the development cycles of commercial vendors. At the same time, shared components reduce duplication and accelerate integration across countries and infrastructures.
Better Compliance with Cybersecurity Requirements
With access to the source code, it becomes easier to ensure that a solution meets specific security requirements and can adapt to new threats. More eyes on critical code also reduce errors and vulnerabilities – an important quality in OT, where the consequences of failures can be severe.
”With open source, you have insight into the codebase and can comply with security requirements in a completely different way than with commercial providers,”
This provides a stronger foundation for documentation to authorities and boards.
Demystifying the Risks
Using open source may seem controversial because operational requirements are extremely high when it comes to security of supply and critical infrastructure. However, some overlook the fact that open source is already the standard in global software development, and that most commercial products are already built on open-source components.
”Open source is already part of the majority of modern software. For many organizations, the question is therefore not whether they use open source, but how they do so responsibly,”
The increasing complexity of energy systems requires collaboration across organizations and vendors, which is why open source is becoming increasingly unavoidable.
Open source is not the easiest path. The approach requires expertise, governance, and clear operating models. But for energy companies that want flexibility and strategic independence in their OT landscape, it can be an effective way to gain control over their system landscape, risks, and vendor relationships.