A server-assisted secure blockchain model for residential demand response in smart grids.

Area of Science:

• Energy Systems Engineering
• Computer Science
• Blockchain Technology

Background:

• Residential demand side management (DSM) is crucial for grid stability and energy efficiency.
• Current DSM approaches often lack robust security, transparency, and decentralized control.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading offers potential for cost savings and local energy independence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel two-layered blockchain-based DSM scheme for residential energy management.
• To enable secure and transparent P2P energy trading using smart contracts and dedicated tokens.
• To evaluate the system's effectiveness in reducing energy costs and improving grid metrics.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a secure centralized server (EnPlus) with a private Ethereum blockchain.
• Utilization of Green Energy Reward (GER) Tokens controlled by Solidity smart contracts for P2P trading.
• Implementation of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) with AES-256 encryption and SHA-256 hashing with RSA for data security.
• Application of the Firefly Optimization Algorithm for scheduling shiftable appliances.

Main Results:

• The proposed system demonstrated reduced energy costs and a lower peak-to-average ratio in a case study with 52 prosumers.
• P2P trading provided financial benefits and fostered local energy independence.
• The hybrid processing model introduced minor transaction delays.
• The blockchain protocol proved to be scalable, privacy-preserving, and robust.

Conclusions:

• The developed blockchain-based DSM scheme offers a secure, efficient, and decentralized solution for residential energy markets.
• The integration of EnPlus server and Ethereum blockchain provides a reliable framework for energy trading and management.
• The system presents a viable roadmap for future decentralized energy systems, enhancing prosumer participation and grid resilience.