eFORT project introduces Intelligent Platform API to enhance data exchange and interoperability

The Horizon Europe supported eFORT project highlights the Intelligent Platform API as a key component to facilitate data exchange and interoperability among applications and use cases.

With its ongoing development, as the central communication hub for various devices and modules, the API is expected to play a critical role in advancing the project’s mission to enhance energy grid resilience and cybersecurity.

“The eFORT platform sets up the interaction and execution of the resilience applications of the project,” explains Jesús Torres, director of the ICT Integration group at CIRCE and technical coordinator of eFORT.

“It is aligned to the latest EU trends in information sharing and common workspaces, enabling interoperable, demo-oriented end user interfaces.”

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The eFORT project, which is now at the half-way mark after launching in September 2022, is focused on improving the stability and security of the grid with the development of technologies to detect and mitigate risks and vulnerabilities.

The Intelligent Platform API is designed with an interactive and user-friendly interface to enable real-time data sharing between devices and the platform.

With a standardised and secure communication protocol, the API should ensure consistent, reliable and protected data flow to facilitate seamless integration and operation across all the connected components.

Key functionalities of the API include data provisioning, use of the structured JSON data format, enhanced security via the HMAC protocol with SHA-256 encryption and a data transmission error handling and retry mechanism.

Among the challenges highlighted in its development was ensuring seamless interoperability across a wide range of devices and systems with varying protocols, while maintaining a standardised communication format.

Another was implementing a robust security framework that could protect sensitive data from potential cyber threats without compromising performance.

Scalability was another issue, with the requirement for the API to handle high volumes of real-time data efficiently and reliably.

Looking ahead as the eFORT project progresses, the Intelligent Platform API is planned to be expanded to incorporate additional functionalities beyond the current POST method.

This should enable even more comprehensive data management and integration capabilities, further strengthening the project’s impact on energy grid resilience.