Canvas documentation

Canvas is an OpenADR 2.0b Virtual Top Node (VTN). OpenADR is an open protocol defined for demand response and load shifting on the utility grid. For more about OpenADR and its applications, please learn more at the alliance website.

A Virtual Top Node is the server side of OpenADR. It is responsible for registering and managing Virtual End Nodes (VENs).

Canvas Implementation

Canvas is available in two formats:

• Canvas Cloud: SaaS solution hosted by GridFabric, designed primarily for running small pilot programs and for testing VENs. For Canvas Cloud, you do not need to run any software locally, so you only will need to reference the UI docs
• Canvas Server: licensed software solution, hosted by customers and therefore scalable to as many VENs as they need. In this configuration, you may use the UI out of the box for many tasks as well as build your own API to interface programmatically.

This documentation has a number of useful resources learning about and implementing Canvas. For any questions, please reach out to support@gridfabric.zendesk.com.

Docs description

• Conceptual Overview: provides an understanding of OpenADR, and how Canvas implements a VTN. A good place to start.
• QuickStart: provides an end to end solution using the web-based UI to register a VEN and call an event
• Canvas UI: Reference for use and settings of Canvas via the web-based UI
• Canvas Server: Installation guide for running Canvas locally.
• Frequently Asked Questions

Note on Naming - NOVA DRE vs Canvas

This software has been built for a number of years by Nebland Software as NOVA DRE, (NOVA Demand Response Engine). Recently the team behind Nebland re-branded as GridFabric, and re-named it to Canvas. Therefore, throughout these docs or in the product itself you may see references and filenames that refer to NOVA DRE. To avoid confusion, please remember that NOVA DRE and Canvas refer to the same product and are interchangeable.