Conferences on "Blockchain in Electricity Grid" and "Blockchain in Transit"

Background

Blockchain in the Electricity Grid, May 21, 2019

The prospects of integrating blockchain in the electricity grid are appealing. For the electricity industry, which is slowly moving towards a more decarbonised, digitalised and decentralised structure, blockchain promises greater automation, better data management, higher security and lower costs. Blockchain is expected to play an essential role in managing the complex grids of the future.

Blockchain business use cases for the energy industry are now advancing beyond the proof-of-concept stage and real-world projects are under way. The more publicised use cases centre on peer-to-peer electricity transactions and cryptocurrency-based electricity trading. However, blockchain offers many more possibilities including coordination in charging of electric vehicles and management of renewable energy certificates. For system operators, blockchain offers the potential of tapping into the “flexibility” of distributed energy resources for grid balancing services. Some of the progressive utilities are already moving from “watching this space” to “embracing this digital transformation” and are implementing grid-level pilots. Technology enthusiasts are optimistic that blockchain-backed business models will become a reality over the next five years. Investors, including private equity and venture capital, are beginning to take notice of these developments.

European regulators and policy-makers are also taking steps to support the development and demonstration of new blockchain applications. The key stakeholders have already begun a cautious debate on the regulations, legislations and standards that may be required for new market structures and business models enabled by blockchain.

Global Transmission Report is organising its first conference on Blockchain in the Electricity Grid on May 21, 2019 at the Intercontinental Amstel, in Amsterdam. The conference will focus on the emerging applications, business use cases and regulations centered on blockchain in the electricity grid. It will bring together developers, network operators, utilities, technology experts, consultants, investors, regulators and research organisations exploring the future of blockchain in the electricity industry.

The conference will have focused sessions to present the emerging opportunities and use cases in the electricity industry, and analyse their implications on existing market structures. It will discuss whether these use cases can build sustainable and profitable business propositions, and provide investor perspective on financing. The conference will also assess network operators’ response to these developments and provide insights into their strategy, plans and projects. It will discuss regulatory and legal constraints and evaluate measures to address them. The event will also provide participants with ample networking opportunities to interact with the speakers, panellists and their peers, and develop contacts with potential customers, partners and collaborators.

Blockchain in Transit, May 22, 2019

Blockchain is a decentralised distributed technology which has the potential to transform business operations in many sectors including public transportation. It is secure, versatile and provides a 360-degree view to all stakeholders, including vendors and customers. In the public transport sector, blockchain can enhance predictive maintenance for asset management, account-based ticketing (ABT) and MaaS delivery, V2V and V2I communications for connected autonomous vehicles (AVs), capital project planning and execution, contract administration, performance management, operations efficiency and safety.

With the development of new paradigms, there are new challenges such as disintermediation, processing time, energy requirement and universal accessibility. The European Commission has been keeping watch and funding blockchain projects through the research programmes FP7 and Horizon 2020 since 2013. In February 2018, it launched the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum to map key initiatives, monitor development and inspire common actions. It has announced plans to invest EUR300 million by 2020 in blockchain projects. As of May 2018, a group of 24 nations have formed the European Blockchain Partnership to exchange information. Venture-capital funds have invested more than EUR 1 billion into blockchain start-ups since 2015.

Global Mass Transit is organising its first conference on Blockchain in Transit on May 22, 2019 at the Intercontinental Amstel, in Amsterdam to explore the blockchain ecosystem for understanding current relevance and future potential of blockchain technology in public transportation service delivery.

The conference will provide a platform to bring together various stakeholders, including government agencies, public transport authorities, technology providers, entrepreneurs, consultants and researchers to discuss the evolution of blockchain technology, notable initiatives and practical applications in the public transportation sector, need for open standards and guidelines, pilot initiatives and deployments, best practices and path for the future.