Following up on our July announcement about ThunderCloud 2.0 and SparkNet-HTTP release, we are happy to share further information on the escrow option available to our customers. 

THE KEY ESCROW

The establishment of an escrow process gives customers the option to place a copy of the encryption keys needed to communicate with deployed SparkMeter meters with a third-party escrow agent for safekeeping independent of EarthSpark and its operations. The currently designated escrow agent is A2EI.

Escrowing doesn't change your service today; it simply means an independent copy of your keys is available to you later, for example if you move toward self-managing.

As a reminder, encryption keys should be treated with utmost care since accidental or malicious release of encryption keys could lead to irreparably malfunctioning meters.

Customers now have three options for encryption key management:

1. Do nothing - No action required and EarthSpark will maintain the security of your keys.
2. Request that a copy of your keys be placed with the escrow agent (click here to fill out a new escrow request form), or
3. Request your keys from EarthSpark directly by submitting a request via support ticket.

DETAILED INFORMATION

The EnAccess Foundation and A2EI have prepared a helpful document “The Key Escrow” to provide additional information and to illustrate how you can request your keys be placed in the escrow.

Click here to download and read “The Key Escrow” overview.

EarthSpark International is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Available Infrastructure, a cybersecure AI and HPC infrastructure company. Under the initiative, Available’s sovereign, secure SanQtum neocloud platform will process, store, and protect the critical data enabling minigrids using EarthSpark's SparkMeter meters.

The partnership is the latest evolution of EarthSpark’s minigrid enhancements. Earlier this year, EarthSpark open-sourced ThunderCloud 2.0, the software intelligence that powers its smart meters and minigrids. As part of the partnership, EarthSpark is now migrating SparkMeter and ThunderCloud data and compute off traditional public cloud infrastructure and onto Available’s sovereign, zero trust, and quantum-resilient SanQtum neocloud as its new primary compute environment.

EarthSpark’s migration to SanQtum will strengthen rural minigrids and benefit customers and other stakeholders in three key ways: 1) superior data privacy for grid operators and their customers, 2) enhanced minigrid service continuity and reliability thanks to SanQtum’s low-latency, cybersecure high-performance compute environment, and 3) data integrity and confidence for grid operators’ reporting for government, investors, and philanthropic supporters.

“We are proud and honored to partner with EarthSpark on this important work. In today’s era, energy and other modern infrastructure is synonymous with connectivity, data storage and compute for operations and AI inference, and cyber concerns,” added Dan Gregory, CEO of Available. “Our company was originally founded with an early focus on the energy sector, including minigrids, virtual power plants, and battery energy storage systems. This collaboration with EarthSpark is both a return to our energy-sector roots and a further building of that legacy to bring SanQtum to communities that depend on reliable, clean energy minigrids for their energy access.”

Read the full press release here.

We're excited to share a big milestone: EarthSpark is open-sourcing the SparkMeter tech stack, giving customers more choice and accelerating improvements driven by minigrid operators themselves.

The goal is to enhance customer resilience by removing a single-point-of-failure risk in the sector. EarthSpark will keep delivering and improving the SparkMeter service line, while also building a secure, sustainable open-source option for the industry. This means grid operators get more control over their systems, and everyone gains more visibility into metering and the chance to manage their own assets or contribute to the open-source project.

When EarthSpark took over SparkMeter Inc.'s emerging-market metering operations in September 2025, there was real concern that SparkMeter's closure could cause blackouts for minigrids serving over a million people. EarthSpark stepped in to prevent that and chart a sustainable path forward.

Since then, we've kept legacy operations running while steadily improving ThunderCloud, the sector's most widely-used smart metering software.

Now, in consultation with many of our customers and sector partners, we've published ThunderCloud 2.0 (TC2.0) under an open-source license. Alongside TC2.0, we are making available SparkNet-HTTP, which enables direct communication with SparkMeter meters independent of the broader SparkMeter solution.

We're thrilled to take this step, and we'd love to hear from you. Questions, suggestions, or encouragement are all welcome!

Overview of Releases
ThunderCloud 2.0 has been released as an open source project. In its current form, it is not an immediate “plug-and-pay” replacement for the existing platform. Instead, it serves as a foundation that will be openly developed in collaboration with the broader user community with support from additional technical stakeholders. It is, nevertheless, an exciting path forward for building out the open platform. 

SparkNet-HTTP is a communications tool that enables direct communication with SparkMeter meters. This is a critical part of our response to customer and stakeholder feedback. By making SparkNet-HTTP available, existing customers will have the ability to communicate directly with their meters, if they choose, without being constrained by the SparkMeter solution itself. While ThunderCloud 2.0 uses SparkNet-HTTP natively, operators will also be able to use SparkNet-HTTP outside of ThunderCloud 2.0 should they wish. This removes the high-stress reality of a ‘single point of failure’ for any operating system.

How do I access the release?
You can find consolidated links to our FAQs, discussion channels, and the GitHub repository at https://www.sparkmeter.io/open-source.html

Choice and Continuity
As we make progress with this open source chapter and with the understanding that different operators have different operational capacities, we want to assure our customers that EarthSpark remains committed to maintaining, improving, and expanding our commercial operations, and our customers have options.

• The Managed Path: For operators who prefer a fully managed and secure software as a service solution, EarthSpark will continue to offer, maintain and support our services. You do not need to change anything. (If you choose to go down the Self Managed Path in future, you will be able to do so). You will automatically have access to all production grade system improvements and new features and will be backed up by the EarthSpark customer service team.
• The Self Managed Path: For operators who wish to host their own variant of TC2.0 or other platform using the SparkNet-HTTP, you will have the freedom to do so. We will be following up on the terms of service for this path.
  
  

Encryption Keys
For customers who wish to have direct control over their meters, outside of the EarthSpark hosting environment, the encryption keys that ensure the security of your assets will be made available. Encryption keys should be treated with utmost care since accidental or malicious release of encryption keys could lead to irreparably malfunctioning meters. Should you wish to maintain your own keys or deposit them into an escrow account, we will work with you to ensure the secure transfer of the keys to the right owner once requested. There are three options for Encryption key management:

1. Do nothing - No action required and EarthSpark will maintain the security of your keys.
2. Request that a copy of your keys be transferred to the non-profit organization Access to Energy gGmbH (“A2EI”) for additional safekeeping – an escrow that you can access in the future.
3. Request your keys from EarthSpark directly.
   
   

If you are interested in obtaining the encryption key(s) to your assets please submit the request via a support ticket. If you would like to transfer a copy of your keys to A2EI’s escrow, please complete the Escrow Transfer Request Form here. (This paragraph updated 10 Sept 2026 to reflect separate paths for direct request and escrow request.)

We see these actions as foundational steps toward greater collaboration and a stronger shared future for the ecosystem. We are committed to making the path forward an open and collaborative one, and we want your input as we approach the release.

Thank you for your patience, engagement, and partnership. We're looking forward to taking this next step together.

We welcome your feedback, questions, concerns or suggestions as we continue this work. 

EarthSpark has announced the open-sourcing of Thundercloud 2.0. What does that mean for current EarthSpark Meter Ops customers using the SparkMeter metering system and other mini-grid operators evaluating what metering system to procure for future grids?

For most customers, the short answer is: nothing changes right now. The EarthSpark team will continue supporting new and existing customers, and no action is needed on your part. You do now have more options, as we outline below. 

Background : EarthSpark International is a non-profit organization that took over operations of SparkMeter Inc.’s energy access metering operations in September 2025. At the time, there was a looming and valid fear that SparkMeter’s closing would lead to massive blackouts in minigrid utilities around the world. EarthSpark stepped in to prevent that from happening and to build a viable path forward for smart metering in the minigrid sector.

EarthSpark has kept the legacy SparkMeter operations online while also making tangible improvements. 

As part of that work,  the EarthSpark team has been updating and improving the flagship ThunderCloud smart metering software, which is the most widely-adopted smart metering software in the sector. To best meet customer needs and invite collaboration, EarthSpark is releasing a pre-production version of ThunderCloud 2.0 under an open source license.

Below are some anticipated frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the release:

Does this affect the system running my meters today? 
No. SparkMeter basestations in the field today run Thundercloud 1.x, and they keep running exactly as they do now. Open-sourcing doesn't change, interrupt, or require anything from your current deployment. What we're open-sourcing is Thundercloud 2.0, the next generation of the platform.

What is Thundercloud 2.0? 
Thundercloud 1.x was built against a number of internal SparkMeter systems and older build tools that are now end-of-life, which makes it hard to maintain or install outside our own environment. Thundercloud 2.0 modernizes that foundation with updated dependencies, a modern build pipeline, and open replacements for the internal pieces. The result is a clean, working system to build the future of Thundercloud on, together.

It's a work in progress. It isn't yet ready to deploy to existing basestations or to install on new hardware, but it's far enough along to develop in the open.

What changes now that it's open source? 
We've been building Thundercloud 2.0 internally for months. Open-sourcing lets us keep doing that work in the open and build a community around it:

• Community contributions: developers who want to help can build and test features and fix bugs alongside us.
• Open issue tracking: bugs and feature requests move to public GitHub issues, where anyone can weigh in on a proposed feature or problem.
• Transparency: you can see exactly what's being worked on and why, and take part in the discussion.
  
  

The goal is to make it easier to be sure we're building what the community actually needs.
When will I be able to install Thundercloud 2.0? We're testing Thundercloud 2.0 alongside several new infrastructure components, working toward the point where it can be installed both as an upgrade to Thundercloud 1.x and on new hardware. The likely path:

1. Beta: customers with the technical capability can try the new system before an official release.
2. Stable release: once we agree it's ready, Thundercloud 2.0 becomes the stable version.
3. Rollout: we begin updating existing systems and publish documentation for setting up a self-hosted basestation for any operator who would like to self-host.
   
   

At that point you'll be able to run Thundercloud 2.0 on hardware you buy from us, hardware you procure yourself, or hardware we recommend, using publicly available software images. Some of these details, including how images are distributed, are still open, and we want them shaped by customer input in the GitHub issues forum.

What is a Thundercloud deployment?
A Thundercloud deployment has two parts that work together:

• The basestation (the "ground" system): hardware at your site that talks to your meters and runs the grid locally.
• The cloud: a server, running at a cloud provider or on your own hardware, that the basestation syncs with. The cloud is what gives you remote access to your basestation and your grid data from anywhere.
  
  

The two sync with each other continuously. Open-sourcing Thundercloud 2.0 means you can choose who supplies the basestation and who runs each part, so "self-hosting" isn't all-or-nothing.

What are my options for operating my SparkMeter metering system?
You can mix and match who provides the basestation hardware and who runs the cloud. Some of the shapes that can take:

• Fully managed by Earthspark: buy a ready-to-run Thundercloud 2.0 basestation from Earthspark and use our hosted cloud. You aren't self-hosting anything: we run and maintain the cloud, you run your grid.
• Your basestation, our cloud: build or procure your own basestation and install Thundercloud 2.0 on it, then sync it to an Earthspark-hosted cloud. You pay Earthspark a service fee instead of paying a cloud provider directly, and we keep the cloud running.
• Our basestation, your cloud: buy a basestation from Earthspark, but run the cloud side yourself, on your own server on-prem or on a cloud provider such as AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean, Heroku, or Railway.
• Fully self-hosted: run both halves yourself, your own basestation and your own cloud. Everything needed will be on GitHub, so with the right technical knowledge you can run the entire system end to end. The trade-off is that maintaining all of it becomes your responsibility.
  
  

These are examples, not a fixed menu. There's room in between, depending on what you want to run yourself, how much support you want, and what you'd rather have Earthspark provide as a service. We're still working out exactly what these arrangements (and their support and pricing) look like, and that will be guided heavily by what customers tell us they need. Our aim is simple: give you the support and services to run your grid, in a way that fits your needs and your technical capacity.

When does all of this happen?
A lot of it depends on the community. EarthSpark will continue to support core team engineers. The more people who get involved (engineers building and testing code, customers filing issues and answering open questions, and community members helping organize and sustain the project), the sooner we reach a strong, stable release, and the better it will be when we get there.

We'll get there either way. Together, we'll get there sooner.

Version 1 of minigrid metering was closed. V2 is open. We’re thrilled to be working together with you to solve energy access. Thanks for all the good hard work you’re doing to expand access to electricity!

What if I still have questions?
You may always contact our team at [email protected] or through our other customer service channels. 
For questions on the open source project, a Dischord channel has been created for users (go here to chat with other grid operators using SparkMeter deployments) and for developers (go here to chat about coding and the open source software development project.) Anybody may submit a feature request here. [links forthcoming]

All normal customer service requests about your specific deployment should still be routed through your usual customer service channels. For more information about the SparkMeter product line, please visit www.sparkmeter.io.

In community,
The EarthSpark Meter Ops team

On September 8, 2025, the American non-profit organization EarthSpark International acquired SparkMeter, Inc.'s emerging market operations.

After developing and operating metering technology for its own minigrids in Haiti, EarthSpark spun out SparkMeter, Inc. in 2013 to serve the broader sector. EarthSpark's team and the SparkMeter founding team felt that a private company would be best placed to raise the capital required, deliver innovation, and ensure long-term sustainable operations of a smart metering enterprise to serve and enable a growing microgrid/minigrid sector. 

For over a decade, that theory proved true. SparkMeter grew to be the leading minigrid metering company in the world, serving minigrid operators in 30 countries.

In 2025, that dynamic reversed. SparkMeter's efforts to raise additional capital faced headwinds, and the company ultimately was unable to sustain operations.

With 144 thousand meters reporting and an additional 55 thousand meters sold to customers and awaiting installation, SparkMeter hardware and software were essential for delivering electricity to about 1 million people around the world. 

SparkMeter management was able to secure a sale of the company's US operations to Honeywell.

When efforts to secure a commercial buyer for the emerging markets operations failed, and with the prospect of service collapsing for minigrid operators around the world, EarthSpark stepped in. By acquired the emerging market operational assets, EarthSpark is working to 

• Ensure that the “lights stay on” for the 1 million people that are accessing electricity through a SparkMeter meter including EarthSpark's minigrid customers in Haiti and
• Ensure open collaboration and co-creation of a sustainable smart metering solution and business model with sector stakeholders.
  
  

EarthSpark has hired key SparkMeter staff, and over the coming months, the combined team will be working closely with customers, funders, and other stakeholders to shape the future of the SparkMeter smart metering platform and to ensure that the critical infrastructure of smart metering continues to enable the delivery of high-quality energy services around the world.

Read more about EarthSpark International's other work here.