Since 2018, GETEC ENERGIE has been the consortium leader in a project to automate real-time energy trading. In the ETIBLOGG (Energy Trading vla Blockchain-Technology in the LOcal Green Grid) project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of Smart Service World II, GETEC ENERGIE is working with various partners from science and industry to develop a solution based on blockchain technology that will enable local, grid-friendly electricity trading. One application example could be an urban district in which small amounts of energy are traded directly between producers (e.g. a photovoltaic system), consumers (e.g. a bakery) and prosumers (e.g. a private house with its own photovoltaic system) as required, away from the higher grid levels.

At the Smart Service World II stand (L140) at the European Utility Week in Paris from November 12 to 14, 2019, visitors will be able to follow the physical exchange and trading of small amounts of electricity between participants live using blockchain technology. The ETIBLOGG project team has developed a mobile model system that represents a microgrid of local participants. Their generation and consumption behavior is simulated by using three battery systems within the trade fair demonstrator. One battery assumes the role of a PV system as a producer, another represents a consumer and the third battery a prosumer. The data exchange between the power generators and consumers is displayed graphically on a monitor. The novelty here is that visitors can follow the processes of blockchain technology in a tangible way using a practical example: For example, when the PV system produces electricity, it sends a corresponding sell order to the blockchain. A consumer can then execute this order to cover their electricity needs. The traded electricity then physically flows.

"If we really want to take the energy transition towards renewable energies seriously, the question of practical implementation must not be ignored. Blockchain technology offers interesting opportunities to decentralize energy trading and relieve the burden on the power grid," says Simone Gitschier, project manager at consortium leader GETEC ENERGIE.