System and method for federated security in an energy management system

A method of managing an energy distribution system, the system comprising first and second energy management devices and a network coupled with the first and second energy management devices and operative to facilitate communications therebetween, the first energy management device being affiliated with a first entity and the second energy management device being affiliated with a second entity different from the first entity, wherein at least the second energy management device includes an energy distribution system interface operative to couple the second energy management device with at least a portion of the energy distribution system and a processor coupled with the energy distribution system interface and operative to generate energy management data therefrom, the method comprising:

• providing access data identifying entities and affiliates thereof, unaffiliated with the second entity, which are permitted to access the energy management data;
• requesting by the first energy management device at least a portion of the energy management data from the second energy management device via the network, the request including an assertion of authorization to access the energy management data;
• and
• validating, by the processor, the assertion via the provided access data and limiting access to the energy management data based thereon.

An energy management system for managing an energy distribution system, the energy management system comprising:

• first and second energy management devices, the first energy management device being affiliated with a first entity and the second energy management device being affiliated with a second entity different from the first entity;
• wherein at least the second energy management device includes:
• means for interfacing the second energy management device with at least a portion of the energy distribution system;
• means for generating energy management data therefrom;
• and
• means for providing access data identifying entities and affiliates thereof, unaffiliated with the second entity, which are permitted to access the energy management data;
• the energy management system further comprising:
• network means coupled with the first and second energy management devices for facilitating communications therebetween;
• and
• wherein the first energy management device is operative to request at least a portion of the energy management data from the second energy management device via the network, the request including an assertion of authorization to access the energy management data, the second energy management device further comprising means for validating the assertion via the access data provided and limiting access to the energy management data based thereon.