Open Sourcing Thundercloud 2.0 ; Encryption Key Options

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 or transferring a copy of your keys to A2EI’s escrow, please complete an Expression of Interest form here.

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, concerns or suggestions as we continue this work.