Sustainable and renewable energies have become common parlance in everyday conversation. People everywhere, from multi-national corporations to single-family homes, are searching for fossil fuel alternatives that are less harmful to the environment. Global warming should be kept far below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), with efforts made to keep it below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.5 degrees Fahrenheit), as outlined in the historic Paris agreement, which marked a great turning point in the multilateral response to climate change. The growing awareness of sustainability has led to a movement toward using renewable and clean energy sources to power businesses and institutions.
It’s possible that blockchain technology may usher in a new era of smart technology and sustainable energy. Despite the fact that all the attention blockchain development services has received in the banking sector, its network infrastructure is best suited for use in the energy sector. It’s not surprising that blockchain is one of the fascinating innovations of recent years, given the wide-ranging effects it has the potential to have, from the financial sector to the medical field. And yet, how does this relate to sustainable energy sources? Keep reading to learn how blockchain technology may influence the spread of green energy and why this is an important step.
To what extent does blockchain’s functionality lend itself to the energy industry?
Blockchains are distributed ledgers that can be used to keep tabs on all sorts of assets, commodities, and financial dealings. Transaction details can be kept private while still being tracked and settled easily with this distributed ledger type. Despite its frequent association with digital currencies, blockchain is not a singular technology. The truth is, there are numerous varieties of blockchains.
Each blockchain consists of nodes, which are linked together to form the network. Blockchain ledgers are extremely resistant to data alteration due to their distributed nature. Only with consensus from every node in the network can the information be updated. This makes the technology suitable for deployment in mission-critical settings, such as utility and power grids. Using blockchain technology, we are able to monitor and record the flow of electricity from its origin at a power plant, via the transmission and distribution systems, and finally, to its final destination at a consumer’s home or place of business.
Exactly how will blockchain technology affect the renewable energy sector?
Verify the origins of renewable power
In the renewable energy industry, the track and trace features hold a lot of promise. Fraudsters are increasingly preying on the clean energy industry by either overstating or improperly allocating clean power generation. To prevent this, it is necessary to monitor renewable energy from the time it is generated, to the time it is transmitted, and finally, to the time it is used. Energy’s legitimacy as a power source can be confirmed by blockchain tracking. The allocation of clean energy and the prevention of fraudulent acts like double counting or misallocation of energy can both benefit from allowing all parties involved to track the course of the energy. Improved transparency into the full value chain of energy generation, transmission, and distribution can shed light on where the improvements can be made and how much of an impact they make.
By implementing process automation
Switching between different energy sources is one example of a process that might be automated and optimized through the use of blockchain platforms and smart contracts in the energy sector. Connecting the system to external data sources, such as weather forecasts, can help predict demand and set off the appropriate changes. By connecting these systems to the broader grid, we can anticipate and meet peak electricity demand by switching to renewable energy sources and then, when necessary, resetting the switch to fossil fuels. Blockchain technology and digital contracts can automate this procedure. Many power providers have investigated the enormous potential of smart contracts built on the blockchain to streamline the grid’s buying and installation procedures.
Renewable energy peer-to-peer trade
Distributed ledgers allow for peer-to-peer transactions, which renewable energy generators can utilize to sell their surplus power to individual consumers. In the event that the public power grid goes down, this allows individual homes to continue operating by generating their own electricity. Recording, verifying, and quickly settling the energy exchange is made possible by blockchain technology. As an added bonus, it can be automated, meaning that prices may be found in real time, and trades can be executed instantly without any need for a centralized clearinghouse. If transactions involving renewable energy can be finalized instantly, it will reduce transaction costs and boost cash flow for the industry.
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) exchange platforms can potentially reap the benefits of blockchain-enabled solutions. By releasing energy tokens that can be used on the blockchain’s clean and flexible grid, energy producers may increase their revenue. Blockchain technology creates a decentralized energy sharing market in which energy may be traded between nodes, hence reducing network instability.
Microgrids based on the distributed ledger technology
Blockchain technology can also be used by utilities and renewable energy producers to construct decentralized power networks known as microgrids. Connecting a distributed ledger to the microgrid’s management hardware (such as an inverter or smart meter) does this. Microgrids can be more autonomous and efficient than larger grids because of the incorporation of blockchain technology. In grid failure, it can also serve as a backup power source for nearby clients. The microgrid’s efficiency, cost-effectiveness, security, and dependability can all improve if it’s given the freedom to function independently.
Dealings with Money in the Renewable Energy Industry
Peer-to-peer payments between renewable energy providers and consumers are made possible by blockchain technology, making the process more streamlined and less reliant on third-party support. Smart contracts enable the automatic processing of billing and payments between clients and distributed generators. Since the need for intermediaries like utilities or internet marketplaces is eliminated, the process of making payments for renewable energy can be sped up, and transaction costs reduced. Increased confidence between buyers and sellers is possible thanks to blockchain’s more secure and transparent transaction record. Particularly relevant to the energy sector, where numerous parties must coordinate and reach a consensus on key issues, this is of paramount importance. If you can generate electricity than you need, you can sell it back to the grid if you have solar panels on your roof. However, in order to be compensated for this energy, you will need to bargain with your local utility.
Conclusion
Using renewable energy sources is more than a passing fad. It’s a major breakthrough in the fight for a cleaner Earth. Clean energy sources like solar, hydropower, and wind are becoming increasingly popular as people become more aware of and concerned about climate change. We need more creative solutions to help us satisfy this growing need for renewable energy in a responsible and long-term manner.
However, using renewable energy sources comes with its own set of difficulties. Ineffective monitoring and auditing of these energy sources are exacerbated by the fact that they are distributed. Further, before adopting any of these systems on a large scale, regulatory considerations pertaining to ownership and transmission must be examined. Therefore, blockchain technology may be the panacea for many of the difficulties associated with renewable energy. Companies in the energy sector can save money and work more efficiently by using blockchain technology. In addition, blockchain can help to provide a more trustworthy and safe setting for P2P energy trading.
