Pre-feasibility study of a blockchain-based platform for P2P energy exchange and self-enforcing payments

The main focus of this work is the application of blockchain technology in energy sector and this thesis could be considered as a pre-feasibility study of Gridom, a blockchain-based project that allows self-enforcing payments through smart contract in a P2P energy exchange scenario. The paper introduces the role of energy communities, analyzes how they will change the current energy market, which are the main challenges to the diffusion of that solution and what could be the economic benefits for the average Italian household consumer that joins this new system. The project proposes a solution focused on energy exchange in smart and microgrid plants, reducing the dependency from dominant industry actors: consumers can monitor in real time the expenses using the blockchain as the information provider; at the same time power producers (both small prosumers and mid-size plants) can be instantly paid for their work without intermediaries, reducing the capital risk. The service increases openness and inclusivity, putting the basis for a community-powered grid management. The research explores the public blockchain sector, defying the most solid, scalable and suitable infrastructure for the development of a smart contract-based energy system management. The project exploits the Tezos blockchain: smart contracts are connected with oracles that represent smart meters and allow the audit of energy parameters. The algorithms implemented in the smart contract are designed to analyze the data provided by the oracles and process the payments related to energy exchange. A basic smart contract working in Tezos testnet environment was developed and tested in a simulated scenario, to demonstrate the correct management of economic flows linked with energy exchanges. This study defines which could be the technological design, the features and the potential economic benefits for all the stakeholders, how to make the platform sustainable through the most promising revenue streams and explores the potential roadmap of the project, in order to bring the Proof of Concept to a commercial Minimum Viable Product.