What's New?

MVP 1.0 - Whats the goal en?

The transparent representation of origin proofs for green hydrogen is a highly complex objective. Given the intricately interconnected power and gas grids, energy amounts from sustainable sources can currently only be balanced out and traced back. A core question in our research project is whether the supply chain for each unit of hydrogen produced can be traced back. To examine this, we've developed a showcase that makes our solution approach tangible.

The MVP 1.0 exemplifies the production, further processing, and consumption of green energy for origin proofs. The cloud-based platform communicates with our custom-built private blockchain, "HydrogenChain," which is based on the Ethereum protocol. This is done via an interface with the open-source wallet MetaMask. The production and further processing of technical systems, as well as the consumption of energy amounts (e.g., by end-users), are captured using Smart Contracts on the decentralized database.

Additionally, we've developed a Certificate Service that allows interested parties who are not registered on the platform to transparently retrieve the transaction histories of the systems. This way, producers and consumers alike can certify the sustainable origin sources of their energy amounts.

The technical details

The current version:

• Is a private, non-public blockchain platform hosted on AWS ☁️
• Utilizes a central node for communicating with the blockchain
• Allows communication with the blockchain even without using the platform (which provides a helpful user interface)
• Enables interaction with the blockchain through the open-source wallet, MetaMask 🦊
• Has its own backend, securely storing all relevant master data
• Features a Certificate Service, which stores information related to origin proofs from the blockchain (read node), and communicates with the platform via frontend connection

MVP 1.0 - All Features

Sign-Up & Registration Process

To use the platform, either an existing MetaMask Wallet must be linked or a new one created. The platform automatically reads and processes information from the wallet.

Both end consumers and facility operators have to provide basic data such as name, location, and description. Operators of technical facilities, when creating a facility, also select the type of facility. Currently, the following types are supported:

• Biogas
• Wind Farm
• Electrolysis Plant
• Combined Heat and Power Plant
• Hydropower Plant
• Photovoltaic System

The Facility Dashboard

The Facility Dashboard is the user's central hub. ‍

The Facility Dashboard incorporates the following features:

• A transaction history that provides the user with an overview of past transactions

• Through "Aktionen", the user can register production, wherein an energy type and corresponding amount is selected.

• Through "Aktionen", the processing of energy can also be registered. For instance, the conversion of electricity to hydrogen. Additional conversions are under development.

• The "Herkunftsbilanz", through a pie chart, displays both the relative and absolute energy source types of a facility. It can be filtered by date and energy type.

• The Transaction feature enables the transfer of energy amounts from one user to another.

What's Next?

The MVP 1.0 represents an initial and important step, but we still have a long way to go.

For the expansion of the first MVP, an authentication entity is planned, which authorizes production facilities to mirror their energy amounts via the HydrogenChain. Additionally, an interface with smart meters is planned to automatically register produced amounts, simplifying the evidence process. Furthermore, facility operators should be able to centrally manage their own facilities. We're also comparing alternative blockchain architectures to ensure precise mapping of energy sources and to review the scaling of processes for international trade.

In summary:

• An authentication entity is planned, which will authorize production facilities to represent their energy amounts via the HydrogenChain
• An interface with smart meters is planned, which will automatically register produced amounts to simplify proof of production
• Facility operators should be able to centrally manage their own facilities
• We are exploring alternative blockchain architectures to ensure precise, secure, and cost-effective representation of energy sources
• Testing the scalability of processes for international trade
• The platform is intended to be compliant with the Renewable Energy Directives (RED)
• Incorporation of further market roles