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I'm reading about your Allgau microgrid, and it looks like it may have been chosen as a pilot because some feed-in tariffs are expiring. Is the idea here to eff

I'm reading about your Allgau microgrid, and it looks like it may have been chosen as a pilot because some feed-in tariffs are expiring. Is the idea here to effectively bypass the utility company (even though there is a partnership for this pilot) so that energy consumers end up directly paying each other through the blockchain ledger?

rudolph9 8y ago
Speaking generally about all our projects and from my personal perspective (software guy, not public relations); The idea is to bring both sides of the industry (customer, utility) together more efficiently and effectively. The current model (power utility produces electricity, maintains distribution infrastructure, and bills on a KWh basis) for producing and distributing energy is very wasteful. We’re constantly producing more energy than necessary to react to spikes in demand. The current model is also increasingly strained as we adopt more renewables due to their relatively unpredictable nature. However, the utility isn’t going away in the foreseeable future. The lines and other infrastructure still need to be maintained. The idea is to elimate waste. Work toward new models that benefits both sides (e.g. peak demand gets supplied via energy sources at the edge of the grid, utility doesn’t need to install more infrastructure to accommodate growing energy demand within that microgrid).
- 3rdAccount 8y ago
  I work in this field (electricity markets) and don't really see microgrids fulfilling this niche anytime soon. Due to FERC Order 841, we will see a surge in grid-scale batteries and our markets (in the US) will have to accommodate this. They will hopefully help some with various issues such as congestion, transmission buildout, and short term changes in demand.
  - rudolph9 8y ago
    In the US, you're are right. The regulation in the US is currently not conducive to microgrids. The world is a big place though.
    - 3rdAccount 8y ago
      Yea, if you're talking about non 1st world countries, the idea could definitely work i think. Best of luck!

rudolph9 8y ago

Speaking generally about all our projects and from my personal perspective (software guy, not public relations); The idea is to bring both sides of the industry (customer, utility) together more efficiently and effectively. The current model (power utility produces electricity, maintains distribution infrastructure, and bills on a KWh basis) for producing and distributing energy is very wasteful. We’re constantly producing more energy than necessary to react to spikes in demand. The current model is also increasingly strained as we adopt more renewables due to their relatively unpredictable nature. However, the utility isn’t going away in the foreseeable future. The lines and other infrastructure still need to be maintained. The idea is to elimate waste. Work toward new models that benefits both sides (e.g. peak demand gets supplied via energy sources at the edge of the grid, utility doesn’t need to install more infrastructure to accommodate growing energy demand within that microgrid).

3rdAccount 8y ago
I work in this field (electricity markets) and don't really see microgrids fulfilling this niche anytime soon. Due to FERC Order 841, we will see a surge in grid-scale batteries and our markets (in the US) will have to accommodate this. They will hopefully help some with various issues such as congestion, transmission buildout, and short term changes in demand.
- rudolph9 8y ago
  In the US, you're are right. The regulation in the US is currently not conducive to microgrids. The world is a big place though.
  - 3rdAccount 8y ago
    Yea, if you're talking about non 1st world countries, the idea could definitely work i think. Best of luck!