Repowering London and Verv have performed UK's first blockchain-powered P2P energy trading pilot

16/04/2018

London-based startup Verv has conducted the UK's first physical blockchain energy trade, which has enabled housing estate residents to benefit from renewable energy sources.

The Government-backed trial, taking place at Hackney’s Banister House Estate, uses machine learning startup Verv’s renewable energy trading platform, which allows customers with renewable energy supplies and battery storage to sell surplus power directly to their neighbours.

The trial, which has received funding from InnovateUK, is currently in phase one, and is underway in collaboration with not-for-profit Repowering London.

The first trade on Wednesday (11th April 2018) saw 1kWh of energy sent from an array of solar panels on one of the block’s roofs to a resident living in another block within the estate.

“We’re so pleased to be bringing the Verv renewable energy trading platform to life on Hackney’s Banister House Estate, we want to use this technology to empower the residents to innovate and create their own trading community,” Verv’s chief executive Peter Davies said.

Through Verv’s AI-based smart hub, which combines machine learning functionality with blockchain, and Powervault batteries in communal areas, the platform is able to calculate the energy demand profile of homes. It can also determine the solar energy supply in each battery and, as a result, allocate low-carbon energy to residents based on their needs.

Verv expects the reduction in energy costs to be “significant” considering that many of the residents are on expensive pre-pay meters.

The results of the Hackney Banister House Estate trial will be used to roll out more energy trading communities across the UK.

Source: Edie.net