U.S. patent application number 15/077763 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for energy resource network.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED. Invention is credited to John Joseph Murray, Henri Winand.
Application Number | 20160284033 15/077763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53052303 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160284033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winand; Henri ; et
al. |
September 29, 2016 |
ENERGY RESOURCE NETWORK
Abstract
An energy resource network with plurality of energy resources)
each capable of delivering a quantum of energy; and a plurality of
energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a quantum of
energy. Each energy resource is associated with an
energy-resource-processor which is configured to issue one or more
offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for
supply from the energy resource Each energy-consuming-device is
associated with at least one energy-consuming-processor) that is
configured to receive one or more offer-messages in respect of a
transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one of the
energy resources The energy-resource-processor and/or the
energy-consuming-processor being configured to issue a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for
inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.
Inventors: |
Winand; Henri;
(Loughborough, GB) ; Murray; John Joseph;
(Loughborough, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED |
Loughborough |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED
Loughborough
GB
|
Family ID: |
53052303 |
Appl. No.: |
15/077763 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/06315 20130101;
G06Q 50/06 20130101; G06Q 20/065 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101;
G06Q 20/145 20130101; G06Q 2220/00 20130101; G06Q 20/38215
20130101; H04L 9/0637 20130101; Y04S 50/14 20130101; Y02E 10/56
20130101; G06Q 40/04 20130101; H04L 9/0643 20130101; G06Q 20/3827
20130101; H04L 2209/38 20130101; G06Q 20/127 20130101; Y04S 50/10
20130101; H02J 13/0017 20130101; G06Q 2220/10 20130101; G07F 15/003
20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 40/12 20131203; Y04S 50/12
20130101; G06Q 20/18 20130101; H02J 3/383 20130101; H02S 99/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/06 20060101
G06Q050/06; G06Q 20/38 20060101 G06Q020/38; G06Q 40/00 20060101
G06Q040/00; H04L 9/06 20060101 H04L009/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 24, 2015 |
GB |
1504946.3 |
Claims
1. An energy resource network comprising: a plurality of energy
resources each capable of delivering a quantum of energy; a
plurality of energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a
quantum of energy; each energy resource being associated with an
energy-resource-processor configured to issue one or more
offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for
supply from the energy resource; each energy-consuming-device being
associated with an energy-consuming-processor configured to receive
one or more offer-messages in respect of a transaction for
receiving a quantum of energy from one of the energy resources;
and, the energy-resource-processor and/or the
energy-consuming-processor being configured to issue a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for
inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.
2. The energy resource network of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of third party nodes, each configured to locally store
and maintain the publicly-available distributed ledger.
3. The energy resource network of claim 2, wherein the third party
nodes are each configured to identify, and store locally, a correct
version of the publicly-available distributed ledger as the version
of the publicly-available distributed ledger that is most commonly
stored on the plurality of third party nodes.
4. The energy resource network of claim 1, further comprising a
third party node configured to: perform a verification routine on
one or more cryptographically-secured transaction records; and,
only add the one or more cryptographically-secured transaction
records to the publicly-available distributed ledger if the
verification routine is successful.
5. The energy resource network of claim 4, wherein the third party
node is configured to perform the verification routine by
processing the publicly-available distributed ledger in order to
determine whether or not an energy resource associated with the
transaction has sufficient energy to perform the transaction.
6. The energy resource network of claim 4, wherein the third party
node is configured to perform the verification routine by
processing the publicly-available distributed ledger in order to
determine whether or not an energy resource associated with the
transaction has sufficient energy-generating capacity available to
perform the transaction.
7. The energy resource network of claim 6, wherein the
publicly-available distributed ledger comprises a balance of
available energy-generating capacity or energy available for each
energy resource, and wherein the third party node is configured to
determine whether or not an energy resource associated with the
transaction has sufficient available energy-generating capacity or
energy to perform the transaction by comparing at least part of the
transaction record with the balance of available energy-generating
capacity or energy available for the energy resource associated
with the transaction.
8. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein the
publicly-available distributed ledger comprises a plurality of
blocks of data, wherein each block of data comprises information
representative of: one or more transaction records; and, a
cryptographic hash value of at least a part of a previous block in
the ledger.
9. The energy resource network of claim 8, wherein the
publicly-available distributed ledger comprises a block chain.
10. The energy resource network of claim 8, further comprising a
third party node configured to: process one or more
cryptographically-secured transaction records; and, determine a new
block of data for the publicly-available distributed ledger by
determining the cryptographic hash value by applying a hash
algorithm to at least a part of a previous block in the
publicly-available distributed ledger.
11. The energy resource network of claim 7, wherein the third party
node is configured to determine the cryptographic hash value by
applying the hash algorithm to: at least a part of an immediately
preceding block in the ledger; the one or more transactions; and, a
cryptographic nonce value.
12. The energy resource network of claim 11, wherein the third
party node is configured to: generate cryptographic hash values for
a plurality of different cryptographic nonce values; identify a
determined cryptographic hash value as valid if it satisfies one or
more predetermined characteristics; and, broadcast a new block of
data, comprising the valid cryptographic hash value, for inclusion
in the publicly-available distributed ledger.
13. The energy resource network of claim 10, wherein the part of
the immediately preceding block in the ledger is the cryptographic
hash value of the immediately preceding block in the ledger.
14. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein one or more of:
the issue of offer-messages by the energy resource via the network;
an acceptance of offer-messages by the energy consuming devices; an
issue of acceptance-messages by the energy consuming devices in
acceptance of an offer-message; processing of acceptance-messages
by a third party for inclusion in a cryptographically-secured,
publicly-available distributed ledger of acceptance-messages; and,
a physical exchange of energy between the energy resource and the
energy consuming device are controlled based on a
cryptographically-secured, publicly-available distributed ledger of
acceptance-messages and a cryptographically-secured,
publicly-available distributed ledger of transactions.
15. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein the
energy-resource-processors are configured to automatically issue an
offer-message if an available amount of energy, or an available
capacity for providing energy, exceeds a high-energy-threshold
level.
16. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein the
energy-consuming-processors are configured to automatically accept
or reject an offer-message by comparing one or more pieces of
information of the offer-message with one or more predetermined
acceptance-criteria.
17. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein the processor
of each energy-consuming-device or each energy resource is
configured to generate the cryptographically-secured transaction
record using a private key.
18. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein the transaction
record comprises information representative of an acceptance of the
quantum of energy and/or a debit of an account associated with the
energy-consuming-device.
19. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein each
offer-message comprises information representative of one or more
of: a quantum of energy; a generating capacity of the energy
resource; a time window; a price.
20. The energy resource network of claim 1, wherein the
energy-resource-processor of each energy resource is configured to
issue a cryptographically-secured offer record for inclusion within
a publicly-available distributed ledger.
21. The energy resource network of claim 1, further comprising a
metering apparatus configured to generate a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of metered units of
energy transferred between an energy resource and an
energy-consuming-device counterparties.
22. An energy-consuming-device configured to consume quanta of
energy from one or more energy resources, the
energy-consuming-device comprising: an energy-consuming-processor
configured to: (i) receive offer-messages in respect of quanta of
energy available for supply from one or more energy resources; and,
(ii) in response to accepting an offer-message in respect of a
transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one or more of
the energy resources, issue a cryptographically-secured transaction
record of the transaction for inclusion within a publicly-available
distributed ledger.
23. An energy resource configured to deliver quanta of energy to
one or more energy-consuming-devices, the energy resource
comprising: an energy-resource-processor configured to: (i) issue
offer-messages in respect of quanta of energy available for supply
from the energy resource; and, (ii) in response to having an
offer-message in respect of a transaction for delivering a quantum
of energy to an energy-consuming-device accepted, issue a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for
inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.
24. A device for updating a publicly-available distributed ledger
for an energy resource network, the network comprising: a plurality
of energy resources each capable of delivering a quantum of energy;
a plurality of energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a
quantum of energy; each energy resource being associated with an
energy-resource-processor configured to issue one or more
offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for
supply from the energy resource each energy-consuming-device being
associated with an energy-consuming-processor configured to receive
one or more offer-messages in respect of a transaction for
receiving a quantum of energy from one of the energy resources;
and, wherein the device is configured to receive, from the
energy-resource-processor and/or the energy-consuming-processor, a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction and
include said record within a publicly-available distributed
ledger.
25. A method of operating an energy resource network, the energy
resource network comprising: a plurality of energy resources; a
plurality of energy-consuming-devices; wherein an energy resource
issuing one or more offer-messages in respect of a quantum of
energy available for supply from the energy resource; wherein an
energy-consuming-device receiving one or more offer-messages in
respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one
of the energy resources; and, wherein issuing a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for
inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to foreign application GB
1504946.3, filed Mar. 24, 2015, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference as fully set forth herein.
FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates to energy resource networks and in
particular energy transactions between energy resources and
energy-consuming-devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In existing energy distribution networks, such as electrical
power distribution networks, electrical power is commonly
distributed to end users or energy consumers by an energy supplier
who obtains electrical power from one or more electricity
generators. The system is generally centralised in that each energy
consumer's usage is metered and recorded by the energy supplier,
who invoices the energy consumers for the power used. The energy
supplier simultaneously secures supplies of energy from the one or
more electricity generators for delivery of power to the energy
consumers.
[0004] Local generation of electrical energy by energy consumers
themselves, for example by domestic-scale solar panels or wind
turbines etc may be transferred to the network, for example by
compensating meter readings for that energy consumer which are
transmitted to the energy supplier.
[0005] A significant increase in interest in decentralised power
generation and distribution, for example using many smaller scale
local power generation units, may require alternative strategies
for enabling more localised and distributed control, monitoring and
implementing of energy exchange.
DISCLOSURE
[0006] Aspects of some exemplars include an energy resource network
comprising: [0007] a plurality of energy resources each capable of
delivering a quantum of energy; [0008] a plurality of
energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a quantum of
energy; [0009] each energy resource being associated with an
energy-resource-processor configured to issue one or more
offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for
supply from the energy resource; [0010] each
energy-consuming-device being associated with an
energy-consuming-processor configured to receive one or more
offer-messages in respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum
of energy from one of the energy resources; and [0011] the
energy-resource-processor and/or the energy-consuming-processor
being configured to issue a cryptographically-secured transaction
record of the transaction for inclusion within a publicly-available
distributed ledger.
[0012] The energy resource network may further comprise a plurality
of third party nodes, each configured to locally store and maintain
the publicly-available distributed ledger. The third party nodes
may each be configured to identify, and store locally, a correct
version of the publicly-available distributed ledger as the version
of the publicly-available distributed ledger that is most commonly
stored on the plurality of third party nodes.
[0013] The energy resource network may further comprise a third
party node configured to: [0014] perform a verification routine on
one or more cryptographically-secured transaction records (for
example using a public key); and [0015] only add the one or more
cryptographically-secured transaction records to the
publicly-available distributed ledger if the verification routine
is successful.
[0016] The third party node may be configured to perform the
verification routine by processing the publicly-available
distributed ledger in order to determine whether or not an energy
resource associated with the transaction has sufficient energy to
perform the transaction. The third party node may be configured to
perform the verification routine by processing the
publicly-available distributed ledger in order to determine whether
or not an energy resource associated with the transaction has
sufficient energy-generating capacity (which may be referred to as
power) available to perform the transaction.
[0017] The publicly-available distributed ledger may comprise a
balance of available energy-generating capacity or energy available
for each energy resource. The third party node may be configured to
determine whether or not an energy resource associated with the
transaction has sufficient available energy-generating capacity or
energy to perform the transaction by comparing at least part of the
transaction record with the balance of available energy-generating
capacity or energy available for the energy resource associated
with the transaction.
[0018] The publicly-available distributed ledger may comprise a
plurality of blocks of data, wherein each block of data comprises
information representative of: [0019] one or more transaction
records; and [0020] a cryptographic hash value of at least a part
of a previous block in the ledger.
[0021] The publicly-available distributed ledger may comprise a
block chain.
[0022] The energy resource network may further comprise a third
party node configured to: [0023] process one or more
cryptographically-secured transaction records; and [0024] determine
a new block of data for the publicly-available distributed ledger
by determining the cryptographic hash value by applying a hash
algorithm to at least a part of a previous block in the
publicly-available distributed ledger.
[0025] The third party node may be configured to determine the
cryptographic hash value by applying the hash algorithm to: [0026]
at least a part of an immediately preceding block in the ledger;
[0027] the one or more transactions; and [0028] a cryptographic
nonce value.
[0029] The third party node may be configured to: [0030] generate
cryptographic hash values for a plurality of different
cryptographic nonce values; [0031] identify a determined
cryptographic hash value as valid if it satisfies one or more
predetermined characteristics; and [0032] broadcast a new block of
data, comprising the valid cryptographic hash value, for inclusion
in the publicly-available distributed ledger.
[0033] The part of the immediately preceding block in the ledger
may be the cryptographic hash value of the immediately preceding
block in the ledger.
[0034] One or more of: [0035] the issue of offer-messages by the
energy resource via the network; [0036] an acceptance of
offer-messages by the energy consuming devices; [0037] an issue of
acceptance-messages by the energy consuming devices in acceptance
of an offer-message; [0038] processing of acceptance-messages by a
third party for inclusion in a cryptographically-secured,
publicly-available distributed ledger of acceptance-messages; and
[0039] a physical exchange of energy between the energy resource
and the energy consuming device;
[0040] may be controlled based on a cryptographically-secured,
publicly-available distributed ledger of acceptance-messages and/or
a cryptographically-secured, publicly-available distributed ledger
of transactions.
[0041] The energy-resource-processors may be configured to
automatically issue an offer-message if an available amount of
energy (for example, energy-available-value), or an available
capacity for providing energy (for example, power-rating), exceeds
a high-energy-threshold level.
[0042] The energy-consuming-processors may be configured to
automatically accept or reject an offer-message by comparing one or
more pieces of information of the offer-message with one or more
predetermined acceptance-criteria.
[0043] The processor of each energy-consuming-device or each energy
resource may be configured to generate the
cryptographically-secured transaction record using a private
key.
[0044] The transaction record may comprise information
representative of an acceptance of the quantum of energy and/or a
debit of an account associated with the
energy-consuming-device.
[0045] Each offer-message may comprise information representative
of one or more of: a quantum of energy; a generating capacity of
the energy resource; a time window; a price.
[0046] The energy-resource-processor of each energy resource may be
configured to issue a cryptographically-secured offer record for
inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.
[0047] The energy resource network may further comprise a metering
apparatus. The metering apparatus may be configured to generate a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of metered units of
energy transferred between an energy resource and an
energy-consuming-device counterparties.
[0048] There may be provided an energy-consuming-device configured
to consume quanta of energy from one or more energy resources, the
energy-consuming-device comprising: [0049] optionally, a load
device; [0050] an energy-consuming-processor configured to: [0051]
(i) receive offer-messages in respect of quanta of energy available
for supply from one or more energy resources; and [0052] (ii) in
response to accepting an offer-message in respect of a transaction
for receiving a quantum of energy from one or more of the energy
resources, issue a cryptographically-secured transaction record of
the transaction for inclusion within a publicly-available
distributed ledger.
[0053] There may be provided an energy resource configured to
deliver quanta of energy to one or more energy-consuming-devices,
the energy resource comprising: [0054] an energy-resource-processor
configured to: [0055] (i) issue offer-messages in respect of quanta
of energy available for supply from the energy resource; and [0056]
(ii) in response to having an offer-message in respect of a
transaction for delivering a quantum of energy to an
energy-consuming-device accepted, issue a cryptographically-secured
transaction record of the transaction for inclusion within a
publicly-available distributed ledger.
[0057] There may be provided a device for updating a
publicly-available distributed ledger for an energy resource
network, the network comprising: [0058] a plurality of energy
resources each capable of delivering a quantum of energy; [0059] a
plurality of energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a
quantum of energy; [0060] each energy resource being associated
with an energy-resource-processor configured to issue one or more
offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for
supply from the energy resource; and [0061] each
energy-consuming-device being associated with an
energy-consuming-processor configured to receive one or more
offer-messages in respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum
of energy from one of the energy resources; wherein [0062] the
device is configured to receive, from the energy-resource-processor
and/or the energy-consuming-processor, a cryptographically-secured
transaction record of the transaction and include said record
within a publicly-available distributed ledger.
[0063] There may be provided a method of operating an energy
resource network, the energy resource network comprising: [0064] a
plurality of energy resources; and [0065] a plurality of
energy-consuming-devices;
[0066] wherein the method comprises: [0067] an energy resource
issuing one or more offer-messages in respect of a quantum of
energy available for supply from the energy resource; [0068] an
energy-consuming-device receiving one or more offer-messages in
respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one
of the energy resources; and [0069] issuing a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for
inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.
[0070] There may be provided a computer program, which when run on
a computer, causes the computer to configure any apparatus,
including an energy resource network, an energy resource, an
energy-resource-processor, an energy-consuming-device, an
energy-consuming-processor, a third party node, a circuit,
controller, or device disclosed herein or perform any method
disclosed herein. The computer program may be a software
implementation, and the computer may be considered as any
appropriate hardware, including a digital signal processor, a
microcontroller, and an implementation in read only memory (ROM),
erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) or electronically
erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), as non-limiting
examples. The software may be an assembly program.
[0071] The computer program may be provided on a computer readable
medium, which may be a physical computer readable medium such as a
disc or a memory device, or may be embodied as a transient signal.
Such a transient signal may be a network download, including an
internet download.
DRAWINGS
[0072] Aspects of Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be
described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0073] FIG. 1 shows an energy resource network;
[0074] FIG. 2 shows schematically an example of a
publicly-available distributed ledger; and
[0075] FIG. 3 shows another energy resource network.
[0076] The disclosure and the following further disclosure are
exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the
disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Other aspects of the
present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in
view of the details as provided herein. In the figures, like
reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
different views. All callouts and annotations are hereby
incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
FURTHER DISCLOSURE
[0077] FIG. 1 shows an energy resource network 100, which includes
a first energy resource 102, a second energy resource 104, a first
energy-consuming-device 106 and a second energy-consuming-device
108. It will be appreciated that the energy resource network 100
can include any number of energy resources and any number of
energy-consuming-devices. The energy resources 102, 104 can deliver
a quantum of energy, and the energy-consuming-devices 106, 108 can
accept/consume a quantum of energy.
[0078] A purpose of the energy resource network 100 is to enable an
energy-consuming-device 106, 108 to acquire energy from an energy
resource 102, 104, in a peer-to-peer manner, and to provide an
accurate representation of how energy is exchanged in the network.
As will be discussed in more detail below, this can be achieved by
recording transactions on a publicly-available distributed ledger.
Use of such a distributed ledger can remove, or reduce, any
disadvantages associated with a centralised recordal system and can
maintain a high integrity of the data stored in the ledger. In this
way, an alternative system for facilitating one or more aspects of
controlling, monitoring and implementing energy exchange between
energy generators and energy consumers can be provided.
[0079] The energy-consuming-device 106, 108 and the energy resource
102, 104 are in data communication through a data exchange network
120, such as the internet, or any other communications network
including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.
[0080] The energy resources 102, 104 can be any resource that is
capable of supplying an amount of energy at a given time. An energy
resource 102, 104 may have a known power-rating, which can be
considered as a capacity for supplying energy. The energy resource
102, 104 could be a conventional power station (gas, oil, coal,
nuclear, etc.) having a well-defined capacity for providing energy
at any given period of time; a renewable energy supply (wind,
solar, tidal, etc.) having a variable capacity at any given period
of time; or an alternative generator system such as hydrogen-based
fuel cells, pumped storage etc. Hydrogen-based fuel cells and fuel
cell stacks can have a known capacity for providing energy. For
example, a hydrogen-based fuel cell may have a power-rating that is
determined by a number of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack, and the
size of an active area of the fuel cells. Some energy resources
102, 104 may have a defined, but not constant over time, capacity
for providing energy (power-rating) based on environmental
conditions, for example a wind turbine's power-rating may be based
on wind speed.
[0081] The energy resources 102, 104 can also have an
energy-available-value, which defines an amount of energy that is
available for supply. For energy resources 102, 104 that consume a
fuel, such as a hydrogen-based fuel cell stack, the
energy-available-value may define a quantity of fuel that the fuel
cell stack has access to.
[0082] The energy-consuming-devices 106, 108 can be any apparatus,
device or network that is capable of consuming energy, or providing
an electrical load to an energy resource 102, 104 within a
specified time period. An energy-consuming-device can be a portable
computing device, such as a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a
tablet computer or a laptop computer. In some examples the
energy-consuming-device 106, 108 may be, or may include, an energy
storage system such as a battery. The energy-consuming-devices 106,
108 can also provide the functionality of an energy resource in
some examples.
[0083] The first and second energy resources 102, 104 have
associated energy-resource-processors 110, 112. It will be
appreciated that the energy-resource-processors 110, 112 need not
necessarily be co-located with the associated energy resources 102,
104. The energy-resource-processors 110, 112 can issue one or more
offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for
supply from the associated energy resource 102, 104. For example, a
user associated with an energy resource 102, 104 may provide input
to the energy-resource-processors 110, 112 representative of a
desire to provide energy to an energy-consuming-device 106,
108.
[0084] In some examples, the energy-resource-processors 110, 112
may automatically issue an offer-message if an available amount of
energy (energy-available-value), or an available capacity for
providing energy (power-rating), exceeds a high-energy-threshold
level. In some examples, such offer-messages may be issued in
response to the receipt of an energy-request-message from an
energy-consuming-device 106, 108. The automatic exchange of such
messages can enable an effective and efficient energy network to be
maintained.
[0085] The offer-message can be completely public, for example
broadcast to an entire network, or can broadcast only to a subset
of energy-consuming-devices 106, 108.
[0086] The offer-message may include information representative of
one or more of: [0087] an identifier of the energy resource 102,
104 making the offer; [0088] an identifier of one or more
energy-consuming-devices 106, 108 to which the offer is made. This
can allow personalised/non-public offers to be made; [0089] a
quantum of energy being offered, which may be: [0090] an amount of
energy that is being offered; [0091] an available generating
capacity that is being offered; [0092] a generating capacity of the
energy resource 102, 104, which in some examples can be used as the
quantum of energy being offered; [0093] a start time, an end time,
and/or a time window during which the offer is valid; [0094] a
price; and [0095] a proposed transaction record, which is described
in more detail below.
[0096] A quantum of energy specified in an offer can represent an
ability to draw on a specified maximum number of watts (an
instantaneous load value) for the duration of a specified time
period or could be a total amount of energy to be delivered over a
specified time period, whether or not the energy transfer actually
takes place either in part or in full. The specified period may or
may not have a predetermined end time.
[0097] In some examples, the offer-message can be cryptographically
secured so that recipients can confirm the identity of the energy
resource 102, 104 that is making the offer. That is, the
energy-resource-processor 110, 112 can encrypt the offer-message
using a private key associated with the energy-resource-processor
110, 112 and/or associated with a user of the energy resource 102,
104. This can advantageously secure the integrity of the
offer-message.
[0098] In some examples, cryptographic securing of public offers
from energy resources 102, 104 could be digitally signed by secure
modules that check or confirm the integrity of the energy resource,
its maximum capacity, its market authorisation, etc.
[0099] The first and second energy-consuming-devices 106, 108 have
associated energy-consuming-processors 114, 116. Again, the
energy-consuming-processors 114, 116 need not necessarily be
co-located with the associated energy-consuming-devices 106, 108.
The energy-consuming-processors 114, 116 can receive and process
one or more offer-messages that are received from energy resources
102, 104. This processing may involve displaying to a user of the
energy-consuming-device 106, 108 one or more of the pieces of
information that is included in the offer-message. The user of the
energy-consuming-device 106, 108 can then provide input to the
energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 indicative of a desire to
accept or reject the offer.
[0100] In some examples, the energy-consuming-processor 114, 116
may be configured to automatically accept or reject the offer by
comparing one or more of the above pieces of information in the
offer-message with one or more predetermined acceptance-criteria.
In this way, the energy-consuming-processors 114, 116 can
automatically accept one or more offers in respect of a transaction
for receiving a quantum of energy from one of the energy
resources.
[0101] If the offer is rejected, then the
energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 may send an offer-rejection
message to the energy resource 102, 104 that made the offer.
Alternatively, the energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 may simply
ignore the offer-message by not responding to it, if it rejects the
offer.
[0102] If the offer is accepted, then the
energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 may send an
offer-acceptance-message to the energy resource 102, 104 that made
the offer. The offer-acceptance-message may include information
representative of one or more of: [0103] an identifier of the
energy-consuming-device 106, 108 that accepts the offer; [0104] an
identifier of the energy resource 102, 104 that made the offer;
[0105] a quantum of energy that has been accepted, which may be:
[0106] an amount of energy; or [0107] a generating capacity of the
energy resource 102, 104; [0108] a start time, an end time, and/or
a time window during which the offer is accepted; [0109] a price;
and [0110] a proposed transaction record, which is described in
more detail below.
[0111] In some examples, the offer-acceptance-message can be
cryptographically secured so that recipients can confirm the
identity of the energy-consuming-device 106, 108 that is accepting
the offer. That is, the energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 can
encrypt the offer-acceptance-message using a private key associated
with the energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 and/or associated with
a user of the energy-consuming-device 106, 108. This can
advantageously secure the integrity of the
offer-acceptance-message.
[0112] In some examples, the same types of information can be
included in the offer-message and the offer-acceptance-message, but
with different values. For example, an energy-consuming-processor
114, 116 may make a conditional acceptance of an offer, for example
conditional upon a revised price being acceptable to the
energy-resource-processor 110, 112. In this way, the
energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 can modify one or more of the
pieces of information received in an offer-message and send the
modified information back to the energy-resource-processor 110, 112
as part of an offer-acceptance-message. This can enable a user of
the energy-consuming-device 106, 108 to indicate an acceptance of a
whole or a part of an offered quantum of energy from an energy
resource, optionally during or for a given time period.
[0113] If the offer is accepted, then either or both of the
energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 and the
energy-resource-processor 110, 112 can generate a transaction
record using information from the offer-message and/or
acceptance-message. The transaction record can encode an acceptance
of the quantum of energy and/or can be used to debit an account
associated with the energy-consuming-device 106, 108. The
transaction record can include information representative of one or
more of: [0114] an identifier of the energy resource 102, 104 that
is to deliver the energy; [0115] an identifier of the
energy-consuming-device 106, 108 that is to receive the energy;
[0116] a quantum of energy that is to be delivered, which may be:
[0117] an amount of energy that is being offered; [0118] an amount
of generating capacity of the energy resource 102, 104; [0119] an
amount of generating capacity of the energy resource 102, 104 that
remains unallocated; [0120] a start time, an end time, and/or a
time window during which the quantum of energy that is to be
delivered; and [0121] a price.
[0122] In some examples, energy may be delivered by the energy
resource to the energy-consuming-device through a USB connection,
optionally a bi-directional USB connection. In this example, the
energy-consuming-processor 114, 116 and/or the
energy-resource-processor 110, 112 can issue a
cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction.
For example, one or both of the processors can encrypt the
transaction record using a private key to generate the
cryptographically-secured transaction record, wherein the private
key is unique to a registered user of the energy resource 102, 104
or a user of the energy-consuming-device 106, 108, or is unique to
the associated hardware/device.
[0123] The cryptographically-secured transaction record can be
broadcast to the network 120 such that it is accessible by all
nodes/devices in the network 120. A single third party node 118 is
shown in FIG. 1, with an associated third-party-processor 122. As
will be discussed below, the third-party-processor 122 can be
programmed to include details of a transaction that is represented
by the cryptographically-secured transaction record within a
publicly-available distributed ledger. In practice, there can be a
plurality, and often a great many, third party nodes that are
competing to be the first node to add the transaction to the
ledger. Optionally, the third-party-processor 122 can also verify
the transaction, and only include details of the transaction within
the publicly-available distributed ledger if the verification is
successful.
[0124] The functionality of including the transaction on the
ledger, and optionally verifying the transaction, may be performed
in a similar way to how Bitcoin transactions are processed before
being added to a block chain. Such processing can be implemented in
a number of different ways, for example depending upon the type of
transaction, as discussed below. FIG. 2 shows schematically an
example of information that can be included in blocks 202, 204 of a
publicly-available distributed ledger 200, which can be used with
at least some of the examples disclosed herein. The ledger 200 can
be locally stored and maintained by a plurality of, and in some
examples all, nodes in the network, which is why it is referred to
as distributed. As will be discussed below, when a new block 202,
204 is to be added to the ledger 200, it is distributed to all
nodes in the network for inclusion in their local copy of the
ledger 200. In the event that two new blocks are identified by
different parties at similar times and are broadcast for inclusion
in the ledger 200, then the new block that is accepted into the
ledger 200 will be the block that has been added to the majority of
the local copies of the ledger 200, in particular by the majority
of nodes at the time that the next block is to be added. In this
way, an accepted new block is defined by a consensus/majority of
the nodes in the network. As will be discussed below, an
approximate time delay between successive blocks 202, 204 being
added to the ledger 200 can be defined by setting the computational
complexity of operations that must be performed before a new block
can be added.
[0125] FIG. 2 shows a first block 202 of data and a second block
204 of data. Each of the first and second blocks of data 202, 204
include information representative of one or more transactions 210,
212, and a cryptographic hash value 206, 208. The cryptographic
hash value 206, 208 is the result of the application of a
cryptographic hash function/algorithm that has been applied to at
least a part of a previous block in the ledger 200. Use of the
cryptographic hash value 206, 208 can mean that the blocks 202, 204
are linked together in a defined sequence, with each block linked
to an earlier block by the hash. In this example, the ledger 200
can be referred to as a block chain because it includes a plurality
of blocks of data, that are "linked together" to define a chain.
Also, it is not possible to begin processing the second block 204
until the first block 202 has been accepted into the ledger 200
because determination of the hash value 208 for the second block
204 requires details of at least part of the first block 202.
[0126] As is known in the art, a hash algorithm can be applied to
an arbitrarily-large amount of data (such as the previous block) in
order to provide a fixed-length hash value. The same fixed-length
hash value will always result from the same arbitrarily-large
amount of data. Over time, new blocks of data are added to the end
of the block chain in order to publicly record new transactions.
Each new block is guaranteed to come after the previous block
chronologically because the new block's hash value cannot be
calculated until the previous block is accepted into the ledger
200. Also, each block 202, 204 is computationally impractical to
modify once it has been accepted into the ledger 200 because every
block 202, 204 after it would also have to be regenerated.
[0127] The cryptographic hash value 208 of the second block 204 can
be determined by applying a hash function to: [0128] at least a
part of a previous block 202 in the ledger 200. The previous block
202 may be the immediately preceding block. The part of the
previous block 202 may be the hash value 206 of the immediately
preceding block 202; [0129] the one or more transactions 212 (of
the current block 204); and [0130] a cryptographic nonce value (not
shown).
[0131] A third-party-processor that receives details of the one or
more transaction records 212, and intends to add a new block 204 to
the ledger 200, must first determine a cryptographic hash value 208
that satisfies one or more predetermined characteristics before the
new block 204 can be added to the ledger 200. That is, a new block
202, 204 cannot be added to the ledger 200 until a valid
cryptographic hash value 208 has been determined. This process can
be referred to as "mining" and the third-party-processor may be
referred to as a "miner". The one or more predetermined
characteristics may be a specified number of leading zero bits, as
is the case with the block chain that is associated with Bitcoins.
The third-party-processor can apply the hash algorithm using
different cryptographic nonce values until a valid cryptographic
hash value 208 with the predetermined characteristics is achieved.
In response to determining the valid cryptographic hash value 208
with the predetermined characteristics, the third-party-processor
can generate a new block 204 that includes at least the
cryptographic hash value 208 and the associated transaction records
212, and then broadcast/distribute the new block 204 to all nodes
in the network for inclusion in their local copies of the ledger
200.
[0132] It will be appreciated that different third party processors
may simultaneously be trying to identify a new block based on
different transaction records; that is, the transaction records
identified for inclusion in the ledger 200 by each third party
processor need not necessarily be the same. As indicated above, in
the event that two potential new blocks are identified by different
third party processors at similar times, then the accepted new
block is defined by a consensus of the nodes in the network. The
computational requirements of generating the hash value 208 with
the predetermined characteristics dictates that the next block
cannot be added too soon after the previous block so that there is
sufficient time for the previous block to be distributed throughout
the network and a consensus to be determined as to which of the two
blocks is to be accepted into the ledger 200.
[0133] As the processing power of computers increases over time,
the computational complexity of arriving at a valid hash value 208
can be increased by changing the required predetermined
characteristics. For example, the number of leading zeros required
of the hash value 208 can be increased. In this way, the
requirements of the cryptographic hash value 208 dictates a time
delay between successive blocks 202, 204 being added to the ledger
200. The length of the time delay can be defined by the
computational complexity required to satisfy the requirements of
the cryptographic hash value 208.
[0134] In some implementations, the third party processors may be
rewarded for successfully adding a block 202, 204 to the ledger.
For example, one or both of the energy resource and the
energy-consuming-device may pay a transaction fee to the specific
third party processor that successfully adds an associated
transaction record to the ledger 200. Such a transaction fee may
only be paid upon confirmation that the transaction record has been
added to a minimum number of locally-stored copies of the ledger
200. This can reduce the likelihood that a transaction fee is paid
to a third party processor that generates a candidate block for
adding to the ledger 200, only for it to be dismissed because
another block, generated at a similar time, is accepted as valid by
a majority of third party processors.
[0135] The information representative of one or more transactions
210, 212 can include information derived from the transaction
records discussed above with reference to FIG. 1.
[0136] The third party processors, in determining a new block for
adding to the ledger 200, may also perform verification processing
on the transactions in order to determine whether or not the
transactions should be included in the ledger 200. In one example,
a verification routine can include comparing any seemingly
unverified transactions with transactions 210, 212 that are already
present in the ledger 200. This can prevent a single transaction
being recorded in the ledger 200 twice because the verification
routine will fail for a transaction that is not already present in
the ledger 200.
[0137] Another verification routine can include checking that an
energy resource has sufficient available energy or capacity to
satisfy a transaction, as will be discussed below.
[0138] Use of ledger, such as the one described with reference to
FIG. 2, can provide accurate visibility of how energy is exchanged
between various devices. That is, the ledger can represent the
real-world energy characteristics of devices, and accurately
display how those characteristics change over time. In some
examples, a distributed nature of the ledger, and a requirement for
a consensus on the accuracy of the ledger, can provide the required
accuracy, and integrity in the data on the ledger. Optionally, the
integrity of the data on the ledger can be further improved by
implementing the ledger as a plurality of blocks of data, wherein
each block of data comprises a cryptographic link to a previous
block in the ledger.
[0139] Another option to improve the integrity of the data on the
ledger is to only accept data onto the ledger after it has
successfully passed a verification routine.
[0140] A further advantage to using a publicly-verified distributed
ledger is that the information on the ledger can be considered
trustworthy, for example because transactions are only recorded if
the ledger is indicative of the fact that the energy resource has
the requisite capacity to provide the amount of energy that has
been offered, such as within a specified time widow.
[0141] Public verifiability of the encrypted ledger can also
provide a basic mechanism for an energy "market"--users of energy
resources can see how much resource is available within the
(global) network and set a price accordingly; users of
energy-consuming-devices can also see how much resource is
available within the network and the pricing, and can then decide
to buy or not buy according to need.
[0142] A publicly-verifiable, cryptographically-secured record of
the transaction, or acceptance of the offer, can serve as a
non-repudiatable commitment to the transaction by an
energy-consuming-device. This could be a precursor to a separate
payment mechanism that operates subsequently, or could include an
actual payment mechanism itself, if the public ledger also serves
as an "energy currency" in similar manner to Bitcoin.
[0143] A publicly-verifiable, cryptographically-secured transaction
record or the acceptance-message can in some examples be
supplemented by a further cryptographically-secured record of the
actual energy transfer. That is, a cryptographically-secured "meter
reading".
[0144] This could be provided by tamper-proof metering hardware,
such as a smart meter. Any such cryptographically-secured meter
readings or records of actual completed energy transfers can in
some examples assist in a downstream payment system.
[0145] A publicly-verifiable, cryptographically-secured ledger can
be data-mined by third parties for analysing trends in energy
consumption, energy usage, potential demand, matching between
energy resources and energy-consuming-devices; pricing etc.
[0146] A publicly-verifiable, cryptographically-secured ledger can
be data-mined by third parties to verify that an energy resource
has capacity to provide the quantum of energy associated with an
offer that it has made, based on earlier transactions that are
recorded on the ledger. The transaction may only be recorded on the
ledger if the verification is successful.
[0147] In some examples, the acceptance-messages and/or the
offer-messages described above can also be included within the
ledger of FIG. 2, or another ledger. This or these ledgers can
enable public visibility of "consumption" (for example booking or
reservation) of available energy resource in a given time period,
in some examples before the event of energy transfer or before the
event of an energy-consuming-device going "on load" to an energy
resource. By providing public visibility of this acceptance, a
market can be able to respond to remaining available energy
resource capacity in the network, for example by re-pricing the
remaining available energy resource.
[0148] Inclusion of offer-messages in the ledger of FIG. 2, or a
different ledger, can enable a market to respond to available
energy offers, and it can help to prevent disruptive offers from
energy resources that are not in fact capable of delivering because
the ledger is publicly visible and is secure in that historical
information in the ledger cannot be readily manipulated.
[0149] In some examples the acceptance-messages may be included
with the ledger of FIG. 2, or another ledger. The
acceptance-message may include a time frame for completing the
energy transaction, which is also recorded in the ledger. On
sending of an offer-message by an energy resource 102, 104 or
receipt of an offer-message by an energy consuming device, the
ledger of acceptance-messages may be used to determine whether said
offer-message comprises a valid offer and therefore control whether
or not said offer-message can be accepted with an
acceptance-message. As a public, distributed ledger is used to
verify offers made by energy resources 102, 104 it reduces the risk
or removes the risk of an energy resource committing to offers of
energy that cannot be fulfilled, such as within the specified
time-window. Accordingly, an energy resource may be prevented from
offering more energy than they can supply at a particular time or
in a particular time window, as the publicly-verifiable,
cryptographically-secured ledger of acceptance messages can be used
to control [0150] i) the issue of offer-messages by the energy
resource via the network; [0151] ii) the acceptance of
offer-messages by the energy consuming devices [0152] iii) the
issue of acceptance-messages by the energy consuming devices; or
[0153] iv) the processing of acceptance-messages by the third
party.
[0154] For example, if the third party refuses to process the
acceptance message into the ledger because the offer of energy
could not be fulfilled by the energy resource, an attempt to
physically exchange energy may be prevented because a record of the
acceptance-message is not present in the publically verifiable,
cryptographically-secured ledger of acceptance messages.
[0155] Further, a public, cryptographically-secured distributed
ledger of energy transactions may also be used to control the issue
or acceptance of offer-messages. In particular, an energy consuming
device or third party or energy resource may compare a public
ledger of acceptance-messages and a public record of energy
transactions to determine which energy transfers have been accepted
but not fulfilled to determine an outstanding transaction
parameter. The sending of offer-messages or acceptance of offer
messages as valid or the sending of acceptance-messages may be
controlled by the outstanding transaction parameter, which may
ensure that energy resources do not over commit to the supply of
energy that they may not be able to fulfil.
[0156] The use of the publicly-verifiable,
cryptographically-secured ledgers (of energy transactions,
offer-messages and/or acceptance-messages) to control the issue of
offer-messages by the energy resources, the acceptance of
offer-messages as valid by the energy consuming devices, the issue
of acceptance-messages by the energy consuming devices, the
recording of transaction-messages in a transaction ledger by either
the energy consuming device, energy resource or third party, and/or
the physical energy exchanges may provide for a more secure system,
as discussed in more detail below.
[0157] Returning to FIG. 1, one or more
energy-resource-managing-entities (not shown) may store details of
authorised energy-resources 102, 104. An
energy-resource-managing-entity can store a database that includes
details of one or more of: [0158] an identifier of an energy
resource 102, 104; [0159] a power-rating of the energy resource
102, 104; and [0160] in some examples, an amount of energy that the
energy resource 102, 104 can make available for supplying to an
energy-consuming-device 106, 108.
[0161] A publicly-available distributed ledger may be automatically
updated when changes are made to an
energy-resource-managing-entity's database. For example, when a new
energy resource 102, 104 is commissioned or its power-rating
changes, the new information may be automatically transferred onto
the publicly-available distributed ledger. In some examples, this
can be implemented by the energy-resource-managing-entity sending
an energy-resource-update-message for public verification in the
same way as transaction records, as discussed above.
[0162] Transacting Energy Generating Capacity (Power)
[0163] In some examples, the energy resource 102, 104 may offer
some or all of its energy generating capacity. The
publicly-available distributed ledger may include an entry that
indicates the maximum energy generating capacity (power-rating) of
each energy resource 102, 104. This entry may be made when an
energy resource 102, 104 is commissioned, for example. A
subsequently issued transaction record may therefore be publicly
verifiable because any third party 118 can process the ledger to
determine whether or not the energy resource 102, 104 has
sufficient unreserved capacity to supply the energy required to
satisfy the transaction. The acceptance by an
energy-consuming-device 106, 108 of such an offer may be publicly
recorded on the publicly-available distributed ledger so that it
can be processed in order to verify any subsequent transactions
involving the energy resource 102, 104 before the subsequent
transactions are recorded in the ledger.
[0164] In some examples, the ledger (optionally each block in the
ledger) comprises a balance of available energy-generating capacity
(power) and/or an energy-available-value for each energy resource
102, 104. The third party 118 can then determine whether or not an
energy resource 102, 104 associated with the transaction has
sufficient available energy-generating capacity (power) or
available energy to perform the transaction by comparing at least
part of the transaction record with the balance of available
energy-generating capacity or energy-available-value for the energy
resource 102, 104 that is associated with the transaction.
[0165] In one example, Party A is an energy resource, Party B is an
energy-consuming-device, and Party C is another
energy-consuming-device. Party A has a 10 kW capacity
(power-rating) fuel cell stack, which is recorded on the ledger.
This initial adding of the power-rating of Party A to the ledger
may be performed in an authorised or authenticated way. At some
time in the future, Party A sells 7 kW of capacity to Party B, and
a corresponding transaction record is generated. This transaction
record can be publicly verified with reference to the ledger
because Party A is shown as having enough capacity available.
Therefore the transaction of 7 kW from Party A to Party B is
recorded on the ledger. Then, at some future point in time whilst
Party B has reserved 7 kW of Party A's capacity, Party A tries to
sell 4 kW to Party C. When the transaction record for this
transaction is made available for public verification and inclusion
in the ledger, the transaction is not verified because the
verification routine will recognise from the ledger history that
Party A only has 3 kW capacity available. Therefore the transaction
to Party C will not be recorded on the ledger because it has not
successfully passed the verification routine.
[0166] In some examples, either the energy resource 102, 104 or the
energy-consuming-device 106,108 may submit a further transaction
record to end a transaction. In the above example, this may involve
Party B transferring the 7 kW capacity back to Party A, optionally
for no cost.
[0167] As discussed above, transaction records can in some examples
include an end time for a transaction, after which an
energy-consuming-device should relinquish its energy consumption.
In which case, the public verification will also require a check of
the power-rating available during specific periods of time defined
by a proposed transaction, and also earlier recorded
transactions.
[0168] Transacting Available Energy
[0169] In some examples, the energy resource 102, 104 may offer
some or all of its available energy. If the energy resource 102,
104 is or includes a fuel cell stack, then the amount of available
energy may be defined by the amount of hydrogen fuel that is
available to the fuel cell stack. In this example, the system may
use a public ledger that is not necessarily publicly-verifiable or
encrypted. A purpose of the public ledger is to make publicly
available all transactions of energy in a network. The acceptance
by an energy-consuming-device 106, 108 of an offer to supply energy
is recorded on the public ledger so that it can be processed when
verifying any subsequent transactions involving the energy resource
102, 104. In the same way as discussed above, the energy resource
102, 104 and/or the energy-consuming-device can send a transaction
record for including in the public ledger. A transaction record can
be sent before and/or after the energy is exchanged.
[0170] A post-energy-exchange-transaction record may include one or
more of the following types of information, which can be included
on the public ledger: [0171] an identifier of a corresponding
pre-energy-exchange-transaction record, which can enable the two
records to be linked together in the ledger; [0172] an identifier
of the energy resource 102, 104 that delivered the energy; [0173]
an identifier of the energy-consuming-device 106, 108 that consumed
the energy; [0174] a quantum of energy that was agreed to be
supplied, which may be: [0175] an amount of energy; or [0176] an
amount of generating capacity of the energy resource 102, 104;
[0177] a quantum of energy that was actually supplied, which may
be: [0178] an amount of energy that was supplied; or [0179] an
amount of generating capacity of the energy resource 102, 104 that
was used by the energy-consuming-device 106, 108; [0180] a
difference between the quantum of energy that was agreed to be
supplied, and the quantum of energy that was actually supplied;
[0181] a start time, an end time, and/or a time window during which
the quantum of energy that is to be delivered; [0182] an agreed
price; [0183] an amount of money that was actually paid; [0184] a
difference between the agreed price and the amount of money that
was actually paid; [0185] a score for the energy resource 102, 104,
for example a mark out of 10 that has been provided by a user of
the energy-consuming-device 106, 108 after the energy has been
supplied; and [0186] a score for the energy-consuming-device 106,
108, for example a mark out of 10 that has been provided by a user
of the energy resource 102, 104 after the energy has been
supplied.
[0187] The quantum of energy that was actually supplied may be
provided by a smart meter, such as metering application software
119 associated with either or both of the energy resource 102, 104
and the energy-consuming-device 106, 108. Such information may be
cryptographically-secured.
[0188] A public ledger that includes some or all of the above
information can provide another basic mechanism for an energy
"market"--users of energy-consuming-devices 106, 108 can monitor
details of previous energy-supply-transactions that have been
engaged in by specific energy resources 102, 104 within the
(global) network and determine from which of the energy resources
they wish to source their energy for a new transaction. Also, such
an energy market can enable energy resources 102, 104 to set a
price of energy for their future transactions. It will be
appreciated that other advantages of the publicly verifiable
encrypted ledger that are discussed above can also be achieved by
the public ledger discussed in this example.
[0189] Examples disclosed herein can relate to a system for
monitoring energy transactions and providing a transparent platform
for people to engage in such energy transactions. This can improve
visibility of what energy exchanges are really taking place, and
can also define standard protocol for monitoring and recording
transactions/energy exchanges.
[0190] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of another energy
resource network 300, which includes Device A 302, Device B 304,
Device C 306 and Device D 308. The devices are in data
communication with each other through the internet 320, which is an
example of a data exchange network.
[0191] Consider that Device A 302 has surplus energy, and Device B
304 has depleting energy. Each device has an associated unique
identifier through which it can transact over a secure area of the
Internet (which is illustrated schematically as network 320 in FIG.
3). Depending upon various parameters such as location, time of
year, geographical demand, etc. Device A 302 can fix up a price for
a unit of energy. Device B 304 can see the price set by Device A
302 and can send a request for buying `n` units of energy. If
agreed, an equivalent amount of money is transferred from Device B
304 to Device A 302. The transaction can be in any standard
currency or cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.
[0192] This transaction can be recorded in a block that will then
be added to an energy block chain 330. The transaction details can
include information such as the identity of the parties involved,
amount of energy purchased, amount of energy left with Device A 302
and Device B 304, etc.
[0193] Now consider two other devices, Device C 306 and Device D
308, which are also energy deficient. Device A 302 has an option to
sell energy to Device B 304, Device C 306, Device D 308, or all.
There can now be an auction to obtain the energy from Device A 302
where the highest bidder wins the auction. There can be a limit on
maximum bid one can raise. Again such a transaction can be recorded
on the energy block chain 330.
[0194] Each device 302, 304, 306, 308 can have two associated
wallets (similar to Bitcoin wallets), an energy wallet 332 keeping
a count of energy and a currency wallet 336 keeping a count of
currency. These wallets 332, 336 can be linked with two respective
ledgers on the Internet 320; the energy block chain 330 and a
currency block chain 334.
[0195] A monitoring station 338 can also be connected to the
internet 320, such that it can track the transactions on the energy
and currency block chains 330, 334. In this way, the monitoring
station 338 can analyse the trend in energy consumption and data
related to energy usage habits of the users. Such information can
be used to seek potential energy providers, buyers, match right
users, determine maximum pricing, etc.
[0196] Examples described herein relate to a decentralised energy
exchange. A device with spare energy can directly engage in a
transaction with a requesting power deficient device to provide
requested units of energy. The transaction can be recorded in a
public ledger. Several blocks of such transactions can form an
energy block chain. That is, a block chain of energy exchange can
be provided.
[0197] Energy transactions can be recorded and managed in a new
way, for example by a decentralised transaction platform with
central monitoring. Various advantages include: [0198] No, or
reduced, dependency on a central energy provider; [0199] Option of
choosing a preferred energy provider anytime; [0200] Flexibility
and transparency in payment; [0201] No regulation on prices; [0202]
Transparent record of transactions; [0203] Only pay when using (no
need to pay bills when you are not at home for long time); and
[0204] Generation of rich user data for various purposes.
[0205] Examples disclosed herein can enable energy
producing/consuming devices to engage in energy sharing
transactions through a transparent and decentralised platform.
Similar to Bitcoins transactions being logged in a block chain
(which is a public ledger), all energy transactions can be recorded
in an energy block chain. If an energy source is a fuel cell stack,
then the amount of energy (KWhs) can be limited by a lifespan of
the stack, or an amount of fuel available, or an amount of energy
generating capacity available. This can be analogous to limited
Bitcoins in circulation. This limited availability of resource can
be used to dictate the rules of such transactions, such as pricing
and amount of energy available in a set period of time. Since the
energy block chain will have a record of all energy transactions
and the devices involved, it can be used for driving a whole
ecosystem of peer to peer energy distribution.
[0206] It will be understood that various aspects or details of the
invention(s) may be changed without departing from the scope of the
disclosure and invention. It is not exhaustive and does not limit
the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Furthermore,
the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only,
and not for the purpose of limitation. Modifications and variations
are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired
from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents
define the scope of the invention(s).
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