Though as a concept the energy blockchain is quite young, its developers need not reinvent the wheel. Progress often involves building upon advancements made by others. LO3, with its wide publicity and impressive success, has served as one early model for younger companies like Power2Peer. Of course, progress is not just emulating, but innovating. Here we will discuss some key distinctions in the technology and systems driving these two young energy blockchain startups.
Underlying Technology
In order to facilitate the execution of their trading platform, LO3 has developed, manufactured and deployed an Exergy-enabled IoT hardware device which functions as a distributed computing node and an asset control switch. This device provides the control layer to translate economic signals from Exergy’s TE layer into control algorithms. When the system receives input through blockchain transactions, this device performs actions on the grid.
Power2Peer combines adaptive controllers, smart inverters, and microinverters with the blockchain to achieve a “smart” microgrid. A communications layer transmits data to the blockchain via cloud to keep track of energy production and peer-to-peer transactions. Power2Peer also boasts the added benefit of Photonic Solar Conversion which, through partnership with SunDensity, provides the solar panels that make up a microrgrid with a 20+% boost in solar power.
Incentives
For LO3, utilities may offer their Exergy-participating customers discounts on LED bulbs or efficiency products for using XRG tokens as the medium of exchange with a participating hardware vendor. Such an exchange would represent another layer of linkage between market participants and an important channel for consumers to ‘sink’ value into other asset classes.
With Power2Peer, the money raised from the sale of ElectroTokens will be used to incentivize individuals to install the solar panels and opt in to the adaptive microgrid. Participating households will be connected to provide excess electricity to the neighboring households. This creates a win-win situation for both parties. Power2Peer will own and operate the ASM systems. Pre-sale token buyers will get a discount on their energy bill by using their ElectroTokens.
Return on Investment
With LO3, the primary incentive for commercial entities to participate is access to data. Individual consumers and prosumers benefit through economic returns and a more resilient grid.
With Power2Peer, through high-efficiency solar microgrids using Photonic Solar Conversion, deployed in 28 cities initially, with each city generating one megawatt, there is an estimated payback period of 9 years and a cumulative profit of $76 million over five years. The long-term vision is to scale to support thousands of distributed microgrids, including those not owned or operated by Power2Peer.
Furthermore, the production of 130 GW by PV will reduce approximately 591,792 metric tons of carbon emission, a significant impact. The use of PSC panels providing more power per panel will further lessen dependence on carbon-heavy generation.
It is an exciting time for energy blockchain startups, with companies like LO3 leading the way. Power2Peer is anticipating a groundbreaking year for the development of even more efficient systems for peer-to-peer electric transactions. Through adaptive controls and high-efficiency panels, Power2Peer is gearing up to transform the way we think of solar power and its potential. Sign up for Power2Peer’s newsletter here to stay up to date on our token sale and upcoming events.
