Blockchain application examples

Blockchain in future energy trading

The “pebbles” project is part of the SMART SERVICE WORLD II programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Intelligent, decentralised energy system solutions will be indispensable for ensuring a secure and reliable energy supply in the context of the energy transition. The “pebbles” project is exploring the integrated deployment of blockchain technology in the energy sector. In addition to the physical and IT aspects, it is also analysing new digital energy trading and business models and the associated regulatory framework. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), and will run until 2021. Its aim is to develop a blockchain-based regional platform for local energy trading, with the option of P2P trading and a connection to a virtual power plant. It will also establish a demonstrator in the AllgäuNetz GmbH distribution grid.

Project goals:

To design, develop and operate a blockchain-based platform for local energy trading
To incorporate behaviour that supports grid stability into the market mechanism at the regional energy supply level

Peer-to-peer energy trading based on blockchain infrastructure

Project focus:

Development of a local electricity trading platform focusing on the following dimensions: market mechanism, market and grid optimisation, decentralised architecture
Development of business models for the future local energy market
Promoting more efficient use of the distribution grid by encouraging behaviour that supports grid stability among the participants
Delivering savings in supply grid operation by actively identifying prosumer behaviour
Establishment of a demonstrator in the AllgäuNetz distribution grid
Investigation of the regulatory impacts/implications