Unicorn Systems, a European leader in software solutions for the energy sector, has been selected by the Joint Allocation Office (JAO) to deliver a new, single, pan-European trading platform for cross-border transmission capacity. Awarded through a competitive international tender, this contract confirms Unicorn’s leading role in delivering complex IT systems within the energy industry.
The new platform will integrate both NTC-based and long-term, flow-based capacity allocation, an essential step in the ongoing development of the European Electricity market, as well as processes for day-ahead and intraday electricity markets. Enhancing the alignment of market mechanisms and increasing transparency will significantly benefit market participants across Europe.
The solution will be delivered using the latest, fourth generation of Damas MMS:E — Unicorn’s standard market management product tailored for Transmission System Operators (TSOs). This robust platform has already proven its reliability and flexibility in multiple national and regional implementations across Europe.
The new platform will enhance the operational efficiency of cross-border electricity trading while supporting the EU’s goal of a more integrated, transparent, and competitive internal electricity market. By enabling the more accurate and equitable allocation of transmission capacities, the system is expected to help reduce systemic costs, ultimately benefiting electricity suppliers, market operators, and end consumers through improved pricing and market stability.
Delivered in close cooperation with JAO and key European stakeholders, the platform will offer a modern user experience and serve as a backbone for the next generation of the electricity market in Europe.
This landmark project marks another milestone in the long-standing strategic partnership between Unicorn Systems and JAO — a relationship that has successfully flourished for over a decade. Learn more about our partnership: “Unicorn Helps Shape the Future of Energy.”
“We’re proud to support JAO and 500+ European market participants with a strategic platform that ensures secure and reliable capacity allocation. Built on our DAMAS MMS:E product, this platform is designed for the future — scalable, user-friendly, and ready to support the evolving needs of the integrated European electricity market.”
- Daniel Ševčík, Unicorn Systems
“Our aim with Unicorn is to create a dynamic, one-stop-shop, online electricity marketplace capable of scaling and adapting to support the EU’s ambitious electricity system integration plans. It will be fully future-proof to support the rapid expected expansion of interconnections and looming regulatory shifts in the EU electricity market. Built for interoperability and ease of use, the new platform will lower barriers to mass participation in electricity markets and bring us a step closer to a single electricity ecosystem delivering cheaper, cleaner power for Europe.”
- Thomas Kieffer, CCO at JAO
About JAO
Joint Allocation Office (JAO) offers a one-stop shop of operational, financial, and project support services for European electricity system integration. As the operator of Europe’s leading trading platform for cross-border transmission capacity, it serves 500+ market participants and 40+ Transmission System Operators (TSOs) across 40+ borders through 21,000+ yearly auctions.
On 1 October 2018, JAO became the Single Allocation Platform (SAP) for all European Transmission System Operators (TSOs) that operate in accordance with EU legislation. JAO offers an integrated hub of services from cross-border capacity auctions, settlements, clearing, invoicing, and balancing payments to expert project support.
Unicorn is a renowned European company providing the most complex information systems and solutions in the area of information technology. We focus on creating a high added value and competitive advantage for our customers. We’ve played an active role on the market starting in 1990, and since then, we’ve created a many complex and top-class solutions that are used among the most significant companies from various industries. At the same time, we develop Unicorn Universe - Digital Twin Construction Kit. This product is used by Plus4U Internet Service to offer a large portfolio of services based on robust software solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises and end users.
In the energy and utilities domain, we focus on implementing extensive information systems for market management and for the related field of energy trade, both at the national and international level. Our other priorities include geoinformatics and solutions for corporate asset management. We deploy both our own software products as well as our partners’ proven platforms.