How to Use the OpenEI MCP in Windsurf

Q: Is this just for residential, or can I analyze industrial sites?

You can analyze all sectors. The server exposes tools like getresidentialrates, getcommercialrates, and getindustrialrates so you can get the right tariff structure for any type of project.

Let Windsurf's Cascade use this OpenEI MCP server to find and model any US utility rate. Just give it a goal.

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Connect OpenEI MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect OpenEI to Windsurf — 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 Windsurf

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Automate Site Feasibility Analysis

Give Cascade a single address. It figures out the rest. Cascade chains `get_rates_by_address` to identify the utility, then calls `get_commercial_rates` to find all relevant tariffs for a business at that location. No manual lookups, no clicking through forms. From there, Cascade can dig deeper, using `get_rate_detail` on the most promising tariff to pull the full structure—time-of-use windows, demand charges, everything. You get a complete feasibility picture without prompting each step. It's all one autonomous workflow.

Map Entire Utility Service Areas

You can task Cascade with researching an entire market. Start it with a state, and it can use `list_utilities` to create a target list. Then, it will iterate through that list, calling `get_utility_detail` for each one to understand their service territory and generation mix. This isn't just a data dump. Cascade organizes the information, letting you see the competitive landscape at a glance. It automates the tedious research phase of market entry, so you can focus on strategy.

One-Click MCP Integration for Windsurf

Connecting Windsurf is straightforward via the MCP Marketplace. Once connected, Cascade automatically discovers all the OpenEI tools, like `get_residential_rates` and `get_industrial_rates`, from this MCP server. Your AI client just knows how to query for utility data. This lets you build complex energy analysis workflows right inside your IDE. You can ask for a rate comparison, and Cascade will know to use the OpenEI tools to get it done.

Setup guide

Set up OpenEI MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the OpenEI MCP

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

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my OpenEI payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the OpenEI tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

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

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Common questions about OpenEI MCP in Windsurf

Windsurf's Cascade agent can autonomously chain OpenEI tools. For example, it can take a project address, use `get_rates_by_coordinates` to find the utility, and then pull specific `get_commercial_rates` to start building a financial model, all in one step.

Yes, that's exactly what it's built for. Cascade can execute a multi-step plan, using the output of `get_rates_by_address` as the input for `get_utility_rates` and then `get_rate_detail` without you needing to intervene.

Install the server from the built-in MCP Marketplace with one click. Cascade will immediately see the new tools. Then, just give it a goal in plain English, like 'Find the best commercial electricity rate for 123 Main St, Anytown, USA'.

You can analyze all sectors. The server exposes tools like `get_residential_rates`, `get_commercial_rates`, and `get_industrial_rates` so you can get the right tariff structure for any type of project.

When you provide a location, Windsurf sends only the necessary address or coordinate data to the OpenEI server to get the rates. Your project files and other code are never exposed. All connections are handled through Vinkius's secure, ephemeral infrastructure.

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