The energy sector is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainability, and open source software is playing a critical role in this transition. At LF Energy Summit 2024 in Brussels, experts from the industry gathered to discuss how Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs) can enhance open source readiness and management in the energy sector. The panel, moderated by Anne Tilloy from RTE, featured key insights from Boris Dolley (RTE), Jonas van den Bogaard (Alliander), and Sebastian Grüner (E.ON Digital Technology). Below are the main takeaways from the session (full video follows at the end).
Open Source as a Driver of Collaboration and Innovation
Open source enables collaboration across organizations, breaking down silos and driving innovation. Dolley emphasized that OSS is more than just a technology choice—it’s a “personal journey” and a long-term commitment to collaborative development. By pooling resources and expertise, companies in the energy sector can tackle the challenges of digitalization and decarbonization more efficiently.
van den Bogaard highlighted how Alliander has leveraged open source to drive digital transformation and innovation while maintaining cost efficiency. Collaborating through OSS, particularly in energy infrastructure projects, allows companies to benefit from shared knowledge and tools, accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
The Importance of Building a Strong OSPO
Establishing an OSPO is essential for guiding an organization’s open source strategy and managing compliance, community building, and contributions. Grüner, who recently took on a leadership role in E.ON’s OSPO, pointed out that while his company has a decentralized structure with hundreds of subsidiaries, the OSPO helps unify their open source practices, ensuring that the company’s efforts are aligned and coordinated.
van den Bogaard noted that even small teams can make a significant impact by building trust within their organizations and educating teams about OSS policies, best practices, and legal issues. The panelists agreed that starting small and scaling up is a practical approach to establishing an effective OSPO.
Early Adoption and Continuous Participation Are Key
A recurring theme in the discussion was the need to get involved in open source early and consistently. Dolley emphasized the importance of “starting early and fast” in open source projects. Organizations should not wait for perfection before contributing; instead, they should embrace an iterative process of improvement. This mindset encourages participation and builds confidence within teams to contribute to the broader OSS community.
Early participation also fosters an internal culture that values collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility, which are crucial for successfully integrating open source into an organization’s strategy.
Challenges in Scaling Open Source
While the benefits of open source are clear, scaling its adoption remains a challenge. Dolley mentioned that one of the key hurdles for RTE is convincing middle management to adopt OSS practices and prioritize open source projects. This sentiment was echoed by Grüner, who noted that in large organizations like E.ON, getting different departments and subsidiaries to align on open source initiatives can be difficult.
To overcome these challenges, the panelists recommended building internal communities that promote the value of open source. This includes regularly engaging with legal, procurement, and IT teams to ensure that they understand the benefits of OSS and its role in the company’s strategy.
Security and Compliance in Open Source
Security and compliance are always top of mind when it comes to open source software. van den Bogaard highlighted the importance of working closely with security teams to develop clear policies around the use of OSS. This ensures that open source projects meet the security standards of the organization while maintaining the flexibility and transparency that open source offers.
Grüner added that security in OSS is not inherently guaranteed—it requires ongoing attention and collaboration with legal and compliance teams to ensure proper license management and to address potential vulnerabilities.
The panel concluded by stressing the importance of strong leadership within OSPOs to drive open source initiatives and ensure alignment across different departments and subsidiaries. Whether starting small or scaling up, the key to successful open source management in the energy sector lies in fostering a culture of collaboration, taking early action, and continuously engaging with internal and external communities.
