A Transactive Grid with Microgrids Using Blockchain for the Energy Internet

Abstract

The changing nature of the energy grid has prompted innovative solutions to incoming challenges. In a distribution system with microgrids, residents with distributed energy resources (DERs) and interactive devices can interact with one another and the grid to exchange energy. Blockchain-based transactive energy could dynamically align active grid elements to incentivize demand-side energy resource investment and energy efficient behavior. This work models a blockchain-in-the-loop framework and simulates it using a Hyperledger Fabric blockchain network and the transactive energy simulation platform (TESP). Blockchain smart contracts are used to coordinate a microgrid market. Three market coordination schemes are compared, namely two auction-less schemes and one simple auction scheme, in a 30 home microgrid with different DER penetration levels. Results show that the auction-less scheme is more beneficial to community residents if the energy mix within the microgrid is diverse.