Data exchange in Europe – towards a reference architecture

The BRIDGE working group on data management has released the third version of a proposed Data Exchange Reference Architecture (DERA 3.0).

The aim of the DERA 3.0, which aggregates and simplifies the modules from the second version and also takes account of the EU energy sector digitalisation action plan, is to contribute to the discussion and practical steps towards truly interoperable and business process agnostic data exchange arrangements on a European scale both within the energy domain and across different domains.

Like the DERA 2.0, the DERA 3.0 is comprised of five layers – Communications, Components, Information, Functions and Business.

The Component layer is in essence the data endpoints, while the Communication layer provides a means for different components of the system to communicate with each other based on standard protocols and formats.

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The purpose of the Information layer is to provide a defined location for handling, managing and storing data that is used by the various components of the system, with for example data harmonisation and processing.

The use case functionality then forms the focus of the Function layer and the Business interoperability layer enables the different business units and systems to interoperate and exchange data in a consistent and standardised manner.

Where the DERA 3.0 primarily differs is in a differentiation between ‘local platforms’ and ‘federated data space stacks’.

The ‘local’ side of the architecture refers to most likely already existing data platforms, either from individual actors or groups of actors, while the ‘federated data space’ part refers to where data is indexed, making it discoverable and providing a ‘marketplace’ for trading both data and data services.

These are connected through a piece of software named the ‘Data Space Connector’, allowing the interconnection and data exchange between different IT systems/platforms and data using applications.

An additional difference reported within the DERA 3.0 is a stronger focus on data governance across the various layers.

With the DERA 3.0 still a work in progress, and based on a survey of BRIDGE participant projects, a series of recommendations also are made.

Among these is to leverage the Smart Grid Architecture Model usage by completing it with data governance requirements and to facilitate a European strategy and tools for cross-sector exchange of data.

Further, a European data cooperation agency should be established to ensure cooperation between associations, countries and sector representatives on cross-sector and cross-border data management.

Any slight improvements are likely to be incorporated in DERA 3.1 but in the meantime BRIDGE federated service catalogue and DERA interactive visualisation tools are set to be released and DERA 3.0 should be implemented in BRIDGE projects.

The BRIDGE initiative is aimed to unite Horizon 2020 and other EU-funded projects to create a structured view of cross-cutting issues which are encountered in these and may constitute an obstacle to innovation.

In addition to data management, other work groups are focused on business models, regulations and consumer and citizen engagement.