Blockchain-Enabled Microgrids: Toward Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading and Flexible Demand Management
Maarten Evens, Patricia Ercoli, Alessia Arteconi
Abstract
The energy transition to a decarbonized energy scenario leads toward distributed energy resources in which end users can both generate and consume renewable electricity. As a result, several challenges arise in terms of decentralized energy resource management and grid reliability. With microgrids, the cooperation of distributed energy resources is improved, and with peer-to-peer energy exchange and demand response programs, better energy allocation and flexible management of consumption loads according to the needs of supply systems are achieved. However, effective peer-to-peer energy allocation and flexible demand management in microgrids require the development of market structures, pricing mechanisms, and demand response strategies enabled by a reliable communication system. In this field, blockchain offers a decentralized communication tool for energy transactions that can provide transparency, security, and immutability. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive review of key factors for peer-to-peer energy trading and flexible energy demand management in blockchain-enabled microgrids. The goal is to provide guidelines on the basic components that are useful in ensuring efficient operation of microgrids. Finally, using a holistic view of technology adoption as a tool for peer-to-peer communication in microgrids, this paper reviews projects aimed at implementing blockchain in energy trading and flexible demand management.