Electricity and Blockchain: How Advanced Technologies are Activating Peer-to-Peer Energy Markets
Loading...
Date
2022-05
Authors
Mayfield, Nolan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Blockchain technology has been at the forefront of technological innovation for several years and presents a fascinating emerging technology to assess. Due to its cost savings, security, and reduced transaction times the technology has the potential for substantial disruption. The energy industry happens to be ripe for disruption, as an industry that has undergone a distinct lack of innovation over the last several decades. The goal of this research piece is to produce a technical snapshot of how blockchain is enabling innovation in the energy sector. In particular, I assess the use of blockchain in activating novel peer-to-peer energy markets. As primary sources, I assess three business whitepapers of early moving startups in this space. Rather than performing a wide analysis, I focus on creating a granular technical review and assessment of these three case studies. Following a careful evaluation, I triangulate the results and detail the benefit of dual-layered blockchain platforms, which consensus protocols appear to be leading, and how early movers are developing competitive advantages. I also expand my findings to recommendations for new entrants in this space. I recommend utilizing the tokenization of energy, using AI and machine learning to remove human agency, and employing centralized actors as network decision makers.
Description
66 pages
Keywords
Blockchain Technology, Energy, Electricity, Blockchain, Energy Markets, Artificial Intelligence, AI, Machine Learning