Applications of Blockchain in the Energy Distribution Systems

Blockchain applications are gaining widespread interest in the energy domain due to their decentralized and audit-proof nature. In the distribution system and in the user domain, blockchain-based applications aim at fostering a tighter integration of customers. In the course of establishing a smart grid, where energy is to a great extent produced from decentralized and privately owned power plants, customers actively participate in both, the creation and the consumption of energy. In this work, (i) the objectives and insights from the FFG ProChain project are discussed; and (ii) the prototypical implementation of a blockchain for a selected use case are presented. The project analyzes the potential and the challenges of blockchain technology in the distribution system, as well as the degree of customer participation. For the selected use case of sharing energy from privately owned photo voltaic power plants, a proto-typical blockchain is implemented and the challenges and insights gained from such an im-plementation are shown.