Project Mercury to set standards for smart energy device integration

The Project Mercury alliance has been launched by Octopus Energy to set global standards for the integration of clean technology with smart energy systems.

The aim of the alliance is to simplify the integration to the smart grid of the growing numbers of clean tech devices, expected to reach 200 million by 2030.

The new standard, to be known as ‘Mercury Enabled’, is planned to certify device interoperability and functionality to support energy grids by balancing supply and demand.

With the standard, it is envisaged that the switch to devices including heat pumps, storage batteries, solar panels and EV chargers should be simplified, while also giving confidence to consumers that their clean tech devices will work with other established brands.

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The alliance should also foster collaboration across the industry to drive broad adoption and promote consumer participation in global demand flexibility schemes, such as Octopus Energy’s ‘Saving Sessions’ and the uptake of smart energy tariffs.

“Just as Bluetooth set a global standard for tech devices, we need a similar approach for energy – allowing millions of smart energy technologies to seamlessly integrate with each other,” commented Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy Group.

“We invite the entire smart energy industry to join ‘Project Mercury’ to create common standards for the smart thermostats, heat pumps, EV chargers and batteries in our homes. This will bring us closer to a fully connected, sustainable and affordable energy ecosystem.”

Octopus Energy boasts of building the world’s largest virtual power plant, managing over 1GW of flexible demand in the UK via 200,000 connected energy devices.

A founding participant in the Project Mercury alliance is the Liverpool-based home energy management platform, Heatio.

Commenting, Simon Roberts, Heatio’s CEO, described Mercury as more than just a smart home standard.

“It’s the foundation for a fully decentralised energy grid. By integrating with platforms like Heatio, consumers will be able to control their energy future while contributing to a cleaner, more flexible grid.”

Utilities and clean tech manufacturers are invited to join the alliance through Octopus Energy’s energy tech platform business, Kraken.