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Blockchain and Peer to Peer systems 

13 - 17 Settembre 2021

Agli studenti del CdS in Ing. Elettrica, Elettronica e Informatica saranno riconosciuti 2 CFU a seguito del superamento della prova finale.

Nel seguito le informazioni relative. In allegato la locandina in formato pdf.

Overview: The power system is currently evolving from a centralised structure towards decentralised models. The availability of distributed energy resources allows developing operation schemes to maximise the exploitation of the local resources. In parallel, the new concepts of Blockchain (and, in general, Distributed Ledgers) completely change how distributed ICT systems can operate in a cyber-safe and trustless fashion, allowing the secure exchange of validated transactions between two or more counterparties without the need of a central authority. In this context, the concepts of microgrid, local energy community, and virtual power plants can be thought back and redesigned by excluding the need for a central aggregating authority. In this scenario, the features of Blockchain technology are appealing. The target of the course is to introduce and describe the role that Blockchain technology may have during the decentralisation process ongoing in power systems, highlighting its potentialities, drawbacks, and future scenarios.

Topics: 

• The Blockchain technology: introduction to the Blockchain concept, describing the Blockchain’s structure and critical components. Introduction to smart contracts. (3h)
• Technical functionalities: discussion on the transaction mechanism, description of the signature process, introduction on the cryptographic procedure and discussion on the hashing algorithm and consensus algorithms (e.g. proof of work, proof of stake). (5h)
• Discussion on the Blockchain advantages, drawbacks, and current technological limitations, detailed analysis of the state of the art of the technology and on the evolution and highlights of the different available technologies. (4h)
• Blockchain and energy sector: evolution of the energy sector, the trend of the decentralisation of the power system, the smart grid paradigm, discussion on the Blockchain functionalities which can be exploited in the energy sector, description of the initiatives focused on the integration of Blockchain platforms in the smart grids, discussion on the key issues and the current obstacles which restrict the blockchain adoption. (4h)
• Market model: description of the business opportunities which can be enabled in the energy sector by the Blockchain technology: peer-to-peer market, microgrids, local energy communities, virtual power plants. (4h)

Students will learn why, when, and how Blockchain and smart contracts can be successfully applied for tackling real-world power system issues. Moreover, the students will deploy a basic smart contract implementation on the Ethereum blockchain, learning by doing the main advantages and drawbacks of its features. The goal is to give students a vision of how blockchain technology can change future power systems.

Knowledge and understanding: Deep knowledge and understanding of the fundamental theoretical and practical aspects of Blockchain and its application in the power system context

Applying knowledge and understanding: Capability to understand how peer to peer transactions can enable the energy transition towards EU decarbonisation targets

Making judgements: Capability to correctly assess the operation of a blockchain platform

Communication skills: Capability to communicate technical information both orally and in writing. Ability to discuss with specialists and non-specialists about blockchain applications in Smart Grid.