Blockchain-technology in the energy industry: blockchain as a driver of the energy revolution? With focus on the situation in Germany

Abstract

The expansion of renewable energy is rapidly increasing as part of the energy revolution. The structure of energy supply systems is becoming increasingly decentralized (decentralization). New players, such as prosumers, who generate and consume their own electricity, could establish themselves in the electricity market. However, due to their low capacity, prosumers are currently unable to participate economically in electricity trading. In particular, the increasing complexity of control and the load on the network infrastructure as well as the high requirements on data security, which are associated with the exchange of electricity and the associated electricity bills, require digitalization of the energy revolution (Energiewende 2.0). The aim of this work is to examine if the “blockchain as a driver of the energy revolution” for the development of new digital business models can contribute to the successful transformation of the energy system. Numerous statements from energy industry experts, study results and two surveys indicate that blockchain has high potential in the medium and long term to significantly impact the energy industry in the coming years. Blockchain technology promises economic value through its strengths such as disintermediation, security, transparency and automation. However, in addition to technical challenges such as the upcoming smart meter rollout, the smart meter gateway required for communication, and the compatibility between the smart metering systems and the blockchain, there are also legal and regulatory hurdles which make the use of the blockchain difficult in the short-term. By far the most widely discussed usage of blockchain in the energy sector is the peer-to-peer trading of decentralized electricity from renewable energies. Therefore, it was examined within the framework of a concept, whether there is a possibility for prosumers to participate economically in electricity trading, despite their low capacity. The results show that due to regulatory constraints such an implementation is only possible in form of a service model in which all areas of responsibility are transferred to a service provider (e.g. electricity supplier). An independently developed business model, which includes peer-to-peer trading based on a service, shows the required infrastructure, a detailed process description in the context of a business process map and one option to configure the blockchain.