The challenges in the context of the energy transition are manifold and complex. The increasing diversification of individual approaches and the apparent necessity for decentral control and coordination of energy production and consumption make a systematic and standardized approach indispensable, not only for cost reasons. This applies especially to the usage of distributed on-site software systems that shall take care of a growing number of tasks, e.g., cost optimization for consumers groups on the basis of price signals (i.e. demand response).

In the context of smart grid research, the paradigm of software agents is well established. Nevertheless, large-scale applications in real-life systems are not yet foreseeable. Most approaches presented in this context provide solutions for individual problems and tasks, but lack a unified and standardized approach. However, this is required for large-scale applications of agent-based systems in real-life energy grids, in order to guarantee information exchange as well as security and safety on the basis of homogeneous development processes and tools.

Therefore, initially unambiguous definitions and a precise separation of energy agents and their tasks in the context of existing heterogeneous systems are required. Additionally, different energy carriers, like electricity, gas or heat, have to be taken into account. To reach the intended goal of cross-domain interoperability and flexibilization, standardized interfaces, models and development processes are essential.