Arne Meeuw

Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy markets are gaining interest in the energy sector as a means to increase the share of decentralised energy resources (DER), thus fostering a clean, resilient and decentralised supply of energy. Various reports have touted P2P energy markets as ideal use case for blockchain-technology, as it offers advantages such as fault-tolerant operation, trust delegation, immutability, transparency, resilience, and automation. However, relatively little is known about the influence… Mehr anzeigen

Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy markets are gaining interest in the energy sector as a means to increase the share of decentralised energy resources (DER), thus fostering a clean, resilient and decentralised supply of energy. Various reports have touted P2P energy markets as ideal use case for blockchain-technology, as it offers advantages such as fault-tolerant operation, trust delegation, immutability, transparency, resilience, and automation. However, relatively little is known about the influence of hardware and communication infrastructure limitations on blockchain systems in real-life applications. In this article, we demonstrate the implementation of a real-world blockchain managed microgrid in Walenstadt, Switzerland. The 37 participating households are equipped with 75 special smart-metres that include single board computers (SBC) that run their own, application-specific private blockchain. Using the field-test setup, we provide an empirical evaluation of the feasibility of a Byzantine fault tolerant blockchain system. Furthermore, we artificially throttle bandwidth between nodes to simulate how the bandwidth of communication infrastructure impacts its performance. We find that communication networks with a bandwidth smaller than 1000 kbit/s – which includes WPAN, LoRa, narrowband IoT, and narrowband PLC – lead to insufficient throughput of the operation of a blockchain-managed microgrid. While larger numbers of validators may provide higher decentralisation and fault-tolerant operation, they considerably reduce throughput. The results from the field-test in the Walenstadt microgrid show that the blockchain running on the smart-metre SBCs can provide a maximum throughput of 10 transactions per second. The blockchain throughput halts almost entirely if the system is run by more than 40 validators. Based on the field test, we provide simplified guidelines for utilities or grid operators interested in implementing local P2P markets based on BFT systems. Weniger anzeigen

As a basic building block of the smart grid, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is substantial for gathering and sending consumption and production data of consumers. The applications facilitated by blockchain technology like local peer to peer (P2P) markets challenge the centrally organized utility industry with its disruptive potential and rely also heavily on AMIs as data source. However, such technologies pose a number of engineering challenges in early stage pilot projects: Unlike… Mehr anzeigen

As a basic building block of the smart grid, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is substantial for gathering and sending consumption and production data of consumers. The applications facilitated by blockchain technology like local peer to peer (P2P) markets challenge the centrally organized utility industry with its disruptive potential and rely also heavily on AMIs as data source. However, such technologies pose a number of engineering challenges in early stage pilot projects: Unlike centrally managed AMIs, local P2P markets in particular require AMIs to exchange data with their peer devices, which increases the communication requirements due to the decentral nature of blockchain networks. In this paper, we compare the bandwidth requirement of real-time AMI with the requirements for a blockchain managed peer to peer market. By benchmarking both a normal operation and a high throughput scenario we find a ten times higher demand in bandwidth of the blockchain-based solution compared to real-time AMI and select the appropriate communication technology for an upcoming field test. Weniger anzeigen

With the advent of decentralised energy resources (DERs), there has been increased pressure on classic grid infrastructure to manage non-dispatchable resources. In face of these challenges, microgrids provide a new way of managing and distributing DERs and are characterised as core building blocks of smart grids. In this context blockchain technology enables transaction-based systems for keeping track of energy flows in between producing and consuming parties. However, such systems are not… Mehr anzeigen

With the advent of decentralised energy resources (DERs), there has been increased pressure on classic grid infrastructure to manage non-dispatchable resources. In face of these challenges, microgrids provide a new way of managing and distributing DERs and are characterised as core building blocks of smart grids. In this context blockchain technology enables transaction-based systems for keeping track of energy flows in between producing and consuming parties. However, such systems are not intuitive and introduce challenges for the user»s understanding. In our current work, we introduce a user-centric approach to utilise a transactional data structure, providing transparency and understanding for when and from where electric energy is consumed. We present our approach for an engaging user interface and a preliminary study with feedback from solar installation owners and close with remarks on our future research plans. Weniger anzeigen

The sharing economy, the business of collectively using privately owned objects and services, has fuelled some of the fastest growing businesses of the past years. However, popular sharing platforms like Airbnb or Uber exhibit several drawbacks: a cumbersome sign up procedure, lack of participant privacy, overbearing terms and conditions, and significant fees for users. We demonstrate a Decentralised App (DAPP) for the sharing of everyday objects based on a smart contract on the Ethereum… Mehr anzeigen

The sharing economy, the business of collectively using privately owned objects and services, has fuelled some of the fastest growing businesses of the past years. However, popular sharing platforms like Airbnb or Uber exhibit several drawbacks: a cumbersome sign up procedure, lack of participant privacy, overbearing terms and conditions, and significant fees for users. We demonstrate a Decentralised App (DAPP) for the sharing of everyday objects based on a smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain. This contract enables users to register and rent devices without involvement of a Trusted Third Party (TTP), disclosure of any personal information or prior sign up to the service. With increasing distribution of cryptocurrencies the use of smart contracts such as proposed in this paper has the potential to revolutionise the sharing economy. Weniger anzeigen

This article introduces a Cyber-physical Co-Simulation Framework (CPCSF) for design and analysis of smart cells that enable scalable battery pack and Battery Management System (BMS) architectures. In contrast to conventional cells in battery packs, where all cells are monitored and controlled centrally, each smart cell is equipped with its own electronics in the form of a Cell Management Unit (CMU). The CMU maintains the cell in a safe and healthy operating state, while system-level battery… Mehr anzeigen

This article introduces a Cyber-physical Co-Simulation Framework (CPCSF) for design and analysis of smart cells that enable scalable battery pack and Battery Management System (BMS) architectures. In contrast to conventional cells in battery packs, where all cells are monitored and controlled centrally, each smart cell is equipped with its own electronics in the form of a Cell Management Unit (CMU). The CMU maintains the cell in a safe and healthy operating state, while system-level battery management functions are performed by cooperation of the smart cells via communication. Here, the smart cells collaborate in a self-organizing fashion without a central controller instance. Weniger anzeigen

Dispensing minute amounts of fluid is used in many industries, such as in life science, bioengineering, 3D printing, or in electronics manufacturing. Each application for drop-on-demand (DoD) printheads requires different drop volumes and drop velocities. Furthermore, it is necessary to eject droplets made of fluids with different fluid properties, like viscosity, surface tension, or density. Due to this wide range of different applications and demands on printheads it is important to… Mehr anzeigen

Dispensing minute amounts of fluid is used in many industries, such as in life science, bioengineering, 3D printing, or in electronics manufacturing. Each application for drop-on-demand (DoD) printheads requires different drop volumes and drop velocities. Furthermore, it is necessary to eject droplets made of fluids with different fluid properties, like viscosity, surface tension, or density. Due to this wide range of different applications and demands on printheads it is important to investigate the influence of relevant factors on the droplet formation process. Therefore, the influence of the fluid properties, the printhead geometry, and the electrical excitation form on the droplet formation process are described in this project. In detail, the influence of the surface tension as well as the viscosity of the fluid, the nozzle length and its width, and the amplitude of the applied voltage at different pulse widths on the droplet characteristics are investigated. Weniger anzeigen