Avista Development and Duke Energy announced a joint investment in Open Energy Solutions Inc. to develop open source software for grid edge technology solutions. These solutions will deliver significant benefits to customers, including information and tools to help them manage their energy usage. This marks the first time multiple utilities have collaborated to create open source software, spurring innovation and creating a new market for this technology. This partnership builds upon the Duke Energy Emerging Technology Office’s (ETO) pioneering work to explore open grid standards through the creation of the Open Field Message Bus. The software will use interoperability concepts and distributed intelligence, allowing utilities to more efficiently integrate, coordinate and optimize diverse assets. This includes the energy grid, traditional and renewable generation, customer assets and more. OES will make the software available to users in an open source format, promoting widespread adoption and support for this software as many utilities make upgrades to the energy grid. Duke Energy and Avista’s investment in OES will help to expedite the creation of the first version of the software. This work builds upon the industry’s progress in modernizing the power grid and will help utilities of all sizes access systems that may have been out of reach – ultimately delivering more options to customers.