A prior feasibility study conducted by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Yokogawa Electric Corporation indicated that optimizing energy and utility consumption among companies could lead to cost savings of 5-10%. By enhancing energy usage 'behind the meter,' businesses that generate steam as a byproduct can boost production during peak demand periods, such as when a neighboring company requires increased steam. This strategy minimizes heat loss and contributes to preventing or easing congestion within the electricity grid. Building upon these insights, the Port of Rotterdam, Yokogawa, and Distro Energy are initiating a significant pilot project involving companies within the Dutch port's industrial cluster. This one-year pilot, scheduled to commence at the close of this year, will encompass up to six companies and two grid operators. The energy data from these participating companies will be instrumental in developing an orchestration platform, facilitating the virtual coordination of utility usage and exchange. This marks a pioneering instance of such data being shared on an industrial scale. A secure industrial cloud infrastructure will oversee data streams, while a cluster energy management system will be responsible for optimizing energy distribution. Distro Energy's trading platform will evaluate the commercial worth of energy exchanges and their corresponding CO2 implications. The pilot, christened the Starlings project, is supported by a US$2.2 million investment from the Port of Rotterdam. The project draws inspiration from the synchronized flight patterns of a starling flock, where the group's collective...