The integration of distributed renewable energy re-sources into active power distribution grids (Smart Grids) is an important activity nowadays. Advanced but also standardized remote control functions for such renewable sources are neces-sary to allow a higher penetration degree of them in power dis-tribution grids. These functions are defined by the power utility automation approach IEC 61850 but their implementation is not really covered by this important power system standard. IEC 61499 know from distributed automation is a feasible way to implement IEC 61850 functions but a low cost automation plat-form for research projects – especially master and PhD projects – which integrates both approaches is not really existing. This paper addresses this point and introduces an IEC 61850/ 61499 open source-based environment together with a low cost control-ler platform for upgrading off-the-shelf distributed energy re-sources in Smart Grid applications.