The state government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in India is working on a pilot project to explore peer-to-peer (P2P) rooftop solar power trading through blockchain technology. For this, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has contracted India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) that's partnering with Australia's blockchain based renewable energy trading company Power Ledger.
Under phase I of the pilot project, drafted by UPPCL and UP New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), ISGF and Power Ledger will enable energy trading for power generated through rooftop solar plants installed at select government buildings in the state capital Lucknow. This energy will be traded with neighbouring households.
Phase I of the pilot project is expected to complete in March 2020, and the results should help the state government formulate appropriate regulations to promote P2P trading of solar energy in the state.
Currently working with Delhi based utility BRPL on a similar project, Power Ledger says UP government is one among the first in the world to formally approve P2P blockchain trading in their rooftop solar policy.
"Power Ledger's platform integrates with smart meter systems to enable households to set prices, track energy trading in real time and enable the settlement of surplus solar transactions in real-time through smart contracts executed on blockchain," said ISGF Executive Director Reena Suri.
As the largest state in India, UP carries massive potential for rooftop solar segment. A July 2018 CEED report claimed only six cities of UP can deploy 11.4 GW of rooftop solar power by using only 11% of their built-up rooftop area, even as the state target for solar by 2022 is 10.7 GW (see 6 Indian Cities Hold 11.4 GW PV Rooftop Potential).
Power Ledger announced it has secured its first commercial contract in Canberra, Australia where it will install its blockchain technology for a rooftop solar system of the EPC Solar Group at a commercial site rented by window supplier Dowell Windows. The clean energy will be traded between Dowell Windows and the site owner.
Power Ledger is also deploying its technology for SEDA Malaysia to allow sale and purchase of rooftop solar PV generation (see Malaysia Launches Solar Energy Trading Pilot Project).