InDEED research project investigates the use of blockchain in the energy sector.

In the first year of the project, the University of Bayreuth worked intensively on the conceptual design of the overall architecture of the blockchain platform, thus initiating the basis for the next phase of the research project. Currently (as of January/February 2021), the project team is working on the implementation of the platform and will soon publish a discussion paper on the future of blockchain in the energy industry as part of their scientific work. All in all, the project team is pleased with progress in the first year, but continues to face certain challenges, including how to conduct the planned field trial in the prevailing pandemic.

Use of state-of-the-art technology

In addition to the use of blockchain, the research project is characterized above all by its innovative strength. In particular, the combination of novel concepts such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and self-sovereign identities (SSI) promises to overcome challenges such as data protection, scalability, and performance. Here, zero-knowledge proofs enable the correctness of processes to be proven automatically and without the disclosure of personal data. SSI, on the other hand, is a decentralized identity management system that is particularly suitable for the authentication and authorization of energy industry players. InDEED is one of the first projects to explore the application of the above state-of-the-art technologies.

Research work in times of Covid19

Communication and coordination among the consortium partners, which include Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft e.V. (research centre for energy economy) and the Foundation for Environmental Energy Law e.V., as well as with the participating industry partners is going smoothly despite the pandemic-related framework conditions. In order to provide, in particular, the participating project partners from the energy industry with an overarching understanding of the conceptual considerations and applied techniques, various virtual workshops have been held, including on blockchain, cryptographic processes, and general digitization issues in the energy industry. In addition, deep dive events on particular topics such as ZKP or SSI are planned, which are intended to provide industry partners with a deeper insight into the topics being addressed by the consortium partners as part of the research project.

University of Bayreuth supports project with technical expertise

The project is being carried out by the Fraunhofer Blockchain Lab at the University of Bayreuth together with Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft e.V. (FfE) and several cooperating companies. In this context, the University is primarily involved in the technical conceptual design, implementation, and monitoring of the field trial. This includes conception of the blockchain architecture and the technical governance model, as well as the implementation of the two application fields on the platform. In addition, tests will be conducted both in a controlled environment and in a field trial. In addition, the work of the University of Bayreuth includes the evaluation of the platform with regard to its scalability, future viability, and replicability, and the subsequent results of action. The communication of the scientific results as well as their public communication are also priorities.