Blockchain for Integrated Urban Water and Energy Management

Abstract

Blockchain has emerged as a distributed ledger mechanism that enables decentralized recordkeeping and transaction validation with applications in various fields. Recent research has highlighted its potential for managing urban water and energy systems, especially given increasing urbanization and climate-related resource pressures. This chapter explores theoretical dimensions of blockchain for integrated urban water and energy management. It examines the conceptual linkages of blockchain-based smart contracts, distributed consensus, and tamper-proof data exchange with the operational and strategic needs of urban water and energy stakeholders. It discusses the roles of trust, security, and data transparency in facilitating stakeholder cooperation in resource allocation and highlights resilience benefits for water supply networks and energy grids.