The Application of Blockchain in Community Energy Trading: A Study on Solar Energy Exchanges in Malta

The power grid is changing rapidly with the advancement of technology and recent grid innovations. Blockchain offers the possibility of contributing and advancing these emerging technologies. Integrating various distributed generation in energy infrastructure has brought many opportunities. Self-consumption and localised energy communities therefore have an important role in the development of this transition and to contribute to the advancement of renewable energies. This paper discusses a blockchain-based system which is designed to serve the demands of communities which share solar energy. This system includes smart-meters and analytical techniques to monitor the characteristics, uses and trends of consumption in a community and the potential of blockchain technology that facilitates energy exchanges