How to Use the OpenEI MCP in Claude

Q: How do I verify OpenEI rate data within Claude Desktop?

Use getratedetail to pull the specific tariff ID retrieved from your initial query. This reveals the granular energy charges and demand structures necessary for your final verification.

Q: Are residential rate plans available through this integration?

Absolutely. Call getresidentialrates to see tiered plans and EV-specific tariffs for any address you provide.

Get accurate utility rate data directly in Claude Desktop for solar feasibility and energy cost modeling.

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MCP Servers — Included with Plan

Connect OpenEI MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect OpenEI to Claude Desktop — we handle the hosting, security, and runtime updates so you don't have to. No server setup required.

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Setup OpenEI with Claude Desktop

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Instant location-based rate lookups

Stop digging through utility PDFs. Use `get_rates_by_address` or `get_rates_by_coordinates` to pull valid electricity tariffs for any site instantly. Your Claude Desktop agent handles the geo-lookup and returns a structured list of available residential, commercial, or industrial plans.

Deep dive into tariff structures

Analyze complex demand charges and time-of-use periods using `get_rate_detail`. This tool maps out seasonal variations and fixed costs so you stop guessing your bill. It provides the exact breakdown needed to model energy savings for your clients without leaving the chat interface.

Utility company research via Claude Desktop

Identify the right utility provider using `search_utilities_by_name` or `list_utilities`. You can see their service territory and contact info before you start your project. This MCP Server provides the raw data your agent needs to build a complete picture of the local energy landscape.

Setup guide

Set up OpenEI MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The OpenEI MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the OpenEI MCP configuration

Copy the JSON snippet on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under openei-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openei-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by OpenEI. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

Why Choose Vinkius

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Common questions about OpenEI MCP in Claude Desktop

Use `get_rate_detail` to pull the specific tariff ID retrieved from your initial query. This reveals the granular energy charges and demand structures necessary for your final verification.

Yes, by pulling real-time utility rates, you prevent the common error of using outdated pricing. Your agent can cross-reference these numbers against your production estimates for accurate payback periods.

Claude Desktop keeps your configuration in a local JSON file. It only uses the endpoint token you provide to request specific utility data when you trigger a tool.

Absolutely. Call `get_residential_rates` to see tiered plans and EV-specific tariffs for any address you provide.

Your address or coordinate data is strictly used to query the utility database. This information is processed ephemerally and never stored by the server.

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Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

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