As our energy systems shift towards decentralisation and renewable energy sources, it’s becoming increasingly important for energy markets to be open, understandable, and accessible to everyone, including large companies, local communities, and individuals. Transparency and easy access to energy data play a key role in this transition. In Estonia, the Estonian Green Movement is working to raise public awareness and capacity around this topic.
Lukas Lepik, Estonian Green Movement | 10 July 2025
A positive example of progress in this area is Estonia’s Estfeed Datahub, a platform that supports smart data sharing in the electricity market. Launched in September 2024 by Elering, Estonia’s national electricity and gas transmission system operator, this innovative tool not only increases market efficiency but also empowers individuals and communities to participate in the energy transition.
Smart data exchange for a more connected market
One of Estfeed’s main advantages is that it enables energy market participants to rapidly save and exchange information in a secure way. Estfeed’s users include network operators and manufacturers, management service providers, private-sector companies, individuals, and research institutions. Since April 2025, the platform has transitioned to a 15-minute data exchange cycle, making data exchange even faster.
Estfeed’s main purpose is to enable seamless data exchange within an open electricity market. To this end, it uses a central data warehouse that operates on the principles of ensuring fairness and transparency for all market participants1, as outlined in Elering’s data exchange explainer video.
Estfeed is designed to support fast switching processes and gives users access to energy and gas consumption data along with other useful information like weather forecasts and electricity prices2. Importantly, users retain full control over their data. It also facilitates data exchange between countries, supporting cross-border energy services.
By improving energy efficiency in this way, the platform helps to make energy consumption more affordable. This means both consumers and energy companies can make better-informed decisions based on accurate measurement data.
How does it work?
Estfeed Datahub collects data from electricity and gas metres, network operators, and energy producers. Consumers have the final say on which service providers they share their data with.
The platform then securely transmits the data. Once consent is granted, service providers gain access to the consumer’s metered data in the form of real-time consumption or hourly electricity usage. Finally, this information is transferred to machine-readable formats.
This infographic illustrates how the datahub operates:
What makes Estfeed so effective?
Estfeed is considered an example of best practice because it supports the development of new technologies and services in the energy market. It’s also a useful tool for energy communities and individuals who produce their own electricity. Encouragingly, similar data platforms are becoming more common across Europe.
But what makes Estfeed truly unique is its capability to share data beyond borders. By bringing together data sources, software solutions, and consumers in one hub, the platform is taking an important step towards improving energy efficiency and streamlining the integration of renewable energy sources.
Estfeed is a strong example of how digital tools can promote grassroots engagement and drive decentralisation. By giving users direct access to their energy data, platforms like Estfeed empower individuals to make informed choices and actively participate in the clean energy transition.
Beyond improving efficiency and encouraging innovation, Estfeed also makes this shift feel tangible and achievable. As digital infrastructure becomes more central to the energy system, innovative solutions like this are set to play an increasingly important role in bringing about a cleaner and more democratic energy future.
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Theme: electricity market, energy communities
Project: After recovery towards cohesion
Tags: European Green Deal
