Power Ledger and KEPCO Complete Blockchain Energy Trade Trial in Japan

Australian energy technology company Power Ledger and Japanese Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) have completed a joint trial of a blockchain-based system for post-FIT (feed-in tariff) surplus power in Osaka.

P2P transaction of surplus power

In an announcement published on Aug. 12, Power Ledger revealed the test completion of a peer-to-peer system demonstrating benefits for post-FIT surplus power in the Japanese city of Osaka.

The system purportedly enabled KEPCO to conduct a P2P transaction of surplus power autonomously and automatically, which included settlements with digital currency. Fumiaki Ishida, KEPCO representative general manager, commented on the development:

“Although there are still many challenges like amendments of relevant laws for commercialization, Power Ledger’s product presents significant opportunities for prosumers to sell their excessive energy at more advantageous prices and for consumers to buy it at more affordable prices.”

Increasing blockchain adoption by energy sector

In July, Marubeni Corp., a major Japanese general trading company, revealed that it had begun backing a blockchain-based power trading platform. The platform reportedly aimed to unlock tens of billions of dollars in power generation to smaller projects in the Australian electricity market, which is running out of major power consumers that will buy large quantities over long periods of time.

The same month, energy network company E.ON filed a patent application for a blockchain-based data collector with the European Patent Office, which would allow consumers to purchase energy services within a distributed system, in particular, could make for an energy system that is more transparent, efficient and flexible for the consumer.