CASE STUDY: A Europe-wide Data Platform for Modern Energy
The ENTSO-E Transparency Platform is a central information system for collecting, publishing, and distributing data on the electricity grid and the electricity market across Europe. Established under European legislation, the platform also serves as an open source of information for a broad range of users—from regulators and industry experts to the general public. The growing importance of data and increasing demands on its usability, however, called for a fundamental modernization of the entire platform.
Unicorn has been responsible for the long-term design, development, and operation of the platform and has successfully delivered its comprehensive transformation. The new solution is built on the principles of modern software design, leverages standard technologies, and enables long-term scalability, stability, and further development of the platform.
Rather than simply enhancing the existing solution, the objective was to create a long-term foundation supporting the future development of the European energy market.
Initial state
The original Transparency Platform was designed as a central web-based application for publishing energy data, providing users with access to information on the electricity grid and the electricity market at a European scale. The platform fulfilled its core purpose by making data required by European legislation available and by offering a single point for data search and download. Over the years, the platform was repeatedly extended with new data sets and functionalities.
However, it became apparent that the existing user interface and the overall system concept were not prepared to handle new requirements related to further growth in data volumes or for increasing user expectations. During this period, the first concepts and proof-of-concept prototypes of a new graphical user interface were developed, outlining the direction of future modernization.
With the continued development of the European electricity market and growing demands for data transparency, it became clear that incremental improvements would no longer be sufficient. The platform required a comprehensive transformation - not only in terms of the user interface, but also with respect to its architecture and the long-term sustainability of the solution.
In 2021 and 2022, formal preparations for this step were initiated, including requirements analysis and the selection of a delivery partner for a complete rewrite of the platform. The project marked a new chapter in cooperation with ENTSO-E, as it did not represent another extension of the existing system, but rather its systematic transformation.
One of the main objectives was to create a modern, visually clear, and efficient graphical user interface that would enable easy navigation through data, data comparison, and visualization using charts. At the same time, a key challenge was the integration of the new interface with both existing and newly introduced data repositories, while maintaining continuity of operations throughout the transformation.
While the original platform was functional and reliable, it was not designed to address major future challenges such as second-level time resolution and increasingly complex data structures. Further development therefore required a new architectural approach. This led to a complete transformation of the Transparency Platform, creating a modern, scalable, and long-term sustainable foundation for publishing energy data across Europe.
New solution
Unicorn was selected as the delivery partner for the complete transformation of the ENTSO-E Transparency Platform. The objective was not only to modernize individual parts of the existing solution, but to fundamentally redesign the platform so that it would become a long-term sustainable and scalable foundation for publishing energy data at a Europe-wide scale.
Unicorn carried out a systematic rewrite of the platform and designed the new solution as a unified whole, overcoming the limitations of the original system that had been expanded incrementally over time.
The solution consists of more than 40 independent microservices implemented in Java or Node.js. A unified front-end is delivered as a single-page application built with HTML5 and React.
A major part of the delivery was the creation of a new graphical user interface. It was designed with a strong focus on clarity, visual consistency, and efficient data interaction. Users can easily compare data sets, work with charts, and quickly gain insights into the development of key electricity market indicators. The new interface also reflects unified application behavior principles across the entire platform and significantly improves usability when working with large volumes of information.
The platform transformation was designed to ensure continuity of operations throughout the delivery process. New components were gradually integrated with existing data repositories and services, enabling a smooth transition to the new generation of the platform without limiting data availability for users. The result is a robust and open data platform that is prepared to respond to growing data volumes, new regulatory requirements, and the continued evolution of the European electricity market.
Delivery Process
The delivery of the new Transparency Platform was conceived as a long-term and systematic transformation program responding to the evolution of European legislation, the electricity market, and technological capabilities. Initial considerations regarding the modernization of the platform emerged as early as around 2018, when exploratory designs of a new graphical user interface were created and the main limitations of the existing solution were identified.
With increasing regulatory requirements and growing demands for data transparency, ENTSO-E initiated formal preparations for a comprehensive transformation of the platform in 2021. This phase included market research, refinement of requirements, and a subsequent procurement process aimed at selecting a partner capable of delivering a complete rewrite of the platform as a single, cohesive solution rather than a set of incremental enhancements.
Following the completion of the initial analytical work, Unicorn was selected as the partner to deliver the transformation project. In the subsequent design phase, the target architectural concept of the platform was defined, along with an approach for implementing the transformation in a gradual and controlled manner while maintaining continuity of operations.
A key decision during this phase was to divide the implementation into several thematic areas, referred to as LOTs. Each LOT focused on a specific aspect of the platform transformation, such as the target backend architecture, migration of data flows, or the design of a new publication architecture. This structure made it possible to spread the implementation over time and to better manage the overall complexity of the project.
Each LOT was then delivered through several successive steps - so-called batches - into which functionalities were grouped based on mutual synergies and dependencies. The batches were designed as logically coherent units that could be planned and delivered independently. This approach enabled the gradual delivery of new platform components, validation of their functionality in real operational conditions, and their continuous integration with the existing solution. Parallel operation of the legacy and new parts of the platform ensured that data availability for users was not disrupted during the transformation.
An important part of the delivery process was also the management of the transition to the new generation of the platform as a whole. This included aligning the new user interface with existing and newly introduced data sources, continuously validating performance and stability, and preparing the platform for long-term operation. Thanks to the phased implementation across LOTs and batches, it was possible to carry out the comprehensive transformation of the platform without a significant impact on its day-to-day use.
Project Results
The result of the transformation project is a modern, Europe-wide data platform that plays a key role in ensuring transparency in the European electricity market. The new Transparency Platform provides unified, open, and reliable access to energy data and meets the requirements of both today’s and tomorrow’s European energy landscape.
Thanks to the comprehensive rewrite of the platform and its new architectural foundation, the solution is prepared to sustainably handle growing data volumes, an increasing number of users, and new types of data publications. Today, the platform serves a broad range of users - from regulators and market participants to both professional and general audiences - providing them with clear, consistent, and trustworthy information on the electricity grid and the electricity market across Europe.
The new graphical user interface has significantly improved the way users work with data. Information can be easily searched, compared, and analyzed through visual overviews and charts, increasing its practical usability in everyday decision-making. As a result, the platform has evolved from simple data publication toward active support for informed decision-making.
From the client’s perspective, the new solution represents a stable and sustainable foundation for future development. The platform’s architecture enables flexible responses to new regulatory requirements, the expansion of data sets, and the introduction of new functionalities without disrupting operations. The Transparency Platform has thus become a long-term pillar of openness and trust in the European electricity market.
The successful delivery of the project by Unicorn confirms its ability to execute large-scale transformation initiatives within critical European infrastructure and to deliver solutions that have a tangible impact on market operations and society as a whole.
Who is client
ENTSO-E, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, brings together 40 member TSOs from 36 countries to ensure the secure and coordinated operation of Europe’s electricity system – the world’s largest interconnected grid. Created with a legal mandate under EU law, ENTSO-E delivers technical coordination and strategic contributions to support Europe’s energy and climate objectives.
ENTSO-E brings together the unique expertise of TSOs for the benefit of European citizens by keeping the lights on, enabling the energy transition, and promoting the completion and optimal functioning of the internal electricity market, including via the fulfilment of the mandates given to ENTSO-E based on EU legislation.
