Creating and managing your OCN Identity
Being part of the Open Charging Network requires setting up and managing a self-sovereign identity (OCN Identity). In particular, the automated routing of OCPI-messages and being able to use applications on top of the Open Charging Network rely on securely identifying a network participant. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up and manage an OCN Identity in a secure manner.
The following steps are necessary:
Pick a country_code and party_id* (and register at your country’s national registry**)
Set up your private/public key pair
Create, read, update and delete your OCN Identity
Store your private key safely - and don’t lose it
1. Pick a country_code and party_id* (and register at your country’s national registry)**
Your unique identity on the Open Charging Network is based on an eMI3 compliant name constructed out of a country_code (e.g. “CH”) and party_id (e.g. “SNC”). Today, in many countries national registries exist to ensure uniqueness of IDs. Please refer to the OCPI documentation for further information both on the Provider and Operator abbreviation as well as for a list of existing authorities: OCPI 2.2 Documentation
* Step 1 is not required for OCN Node Operators
** Please note that currently not all countries have a national registry
2. Set up a private/public key pair
To make identities secure and unique, the Open Charging Network makes use of a wallet structure as implemented by the blockchain community (in particular the Ethereum blockchain technology). Your self-picked wallet (or private/public key-pair) along with your country_code and party_id (Step 1) form your identity on the Open Charging Network.
There are various tools to create a wallet. You can for example use Metamask or Vanity-ETH.
3. Manage your OCN Identity at the OCN Registry
After completing Step 1 and Step 2 you are now ready to register your OCN Identity at the OCN Registry, which serves as address book for all OCN Identities. The OCN Registry is implemented as a smart contract running on a blockchain, to ensure availability and security. Anyone is allowed to register at the OCN Registry and the Share&Charge Foundation as neutral platform holds the administration key to it.***
There are several ways to manage your OCN Registry entry. We recommend using the Command Line Interface or Java & Typescript library provided in the OCN Registry repository on Bitbucket.
3.1. Get information together
There is different information linked with your OCN Identity, depending on the role that you have on the network. See the table below to have the required & optional information ready for managing your OCN Identity.
| OCPI Party | OCN Node Operator |
|---|---|---|
Required |
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Optional |
|
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3.2. Funding a wallet
As a a final preparation step, you need to fund your Ethereum wallet. The funds will be used to enter our data into the registry. Depending on whether you want to connect to the Public Test Network or the Production Network there are two ways of getting funds for your wallet.
Public Test Network | Production Network |
|---|---|
The Public Test Network OCN Registry is running on the Volta network by Energy Web Foundation. Take your generated address and visit the Volta faucet. Enter the address there and request 1 Volta Ether, which will be more than enough to pay for the transaction to add our details to the registry. If you are using Metamask to manage your Volta wallet, this page about connecting Metamask to Volta might be helpful. | The Production Network OCN Registry is running on the Energy Web Chain by Energy Web Foundation. You can purchase Energy Web Token at the Liquid Exchange, the BitMart Exchange and the Kucoin Exchange. Create an account at the exchange, fund it with your preferred currency and purchase Energy Web Token (one token should be enough to have you covered). Then transfer the tokens to the wallet address of your OCN Identity. Reach out to us or the Energy Web Foundation team if you have any questions. |
3.3. Create, read, update and delete your OCN Identity
After funding your wallet you are now ready for making OCN Registry entries. Please follow the technical instructions on the OCN Registry repository on Bitbucket for more details on which steps are necessary to make.
*** The initial implementation requires a centralized authority to have administration rights (e.g. for updates). As the governance of the OCN Registry is a crucial piece to ensure openness of the Open Charging Network, the Share&Charge Foundation will further develop this governance together with the community (e.g. enable decentralized administration).
4. Store your private key safely - and don’t loose it
Your OCN Identity is your key to participate in the Open Charging Network. Your private key (Step 2) is required for managing your OCN Registry entry (your self-sovereign identity). Keep your private key safe! It is advised to follow best-practices for secure storage and usage (similar to API Token Management, management of cryptocurrencies, etc.). If you have any issues with your OCN Identity, please reach out to us!