Energy Web and Vodafone are partnering to improve the integration of renewable and distributed energy assets within power grids using secure IoT connectivity and blockchain technology.
 
The partnership will combine SIM-centric blockchain technology with IoT connectivity from Vodafone Business to create secure IDs for energy assets. This means renewable and distributed assets such as wind turbines, batteries, heat pumps and solar panels can be integrated with energy grids safely and efficiently.
 
Similar to the way telecom operators securely identify mobile phones using SIM cards, the partnership will enable energy grid players to recognise distributed energy assets connected to their power grids. The ability to identify and validate distributed-generation assets in the smart grid is essential to maintain its stability. This is made possible thanks to the integration between the global connectivity provided by Vodafone Business IoT and the Energy Web EW-Dos decentralised operating system.
 
Vodafone Business is EW’s first strategic partner from the telecom sector and brings the technology capability and global footprint that will help accelerate the delivery of EW’s mission to decarbonise the grid.
 
“We are seeing the convergence of multiple sectors in making the energy transition happen — the energy sector, of course, but also automotive, telecoms and even finance,” said Walter Kok, CEO of Energy Web. “From our perspective, the energy sector can only evolve so fast and so far without taking into account IoT connectivity. Bringing together EW’s expertise in energy and decentralisation with Vodafone Business’s leadership in IoT creates a really powerful combination.”
 
Recent research from Gartner estimates utilities are already grappling with more than 1.1 billion IoT endpoints last year, such as smart meters, heat pumps, batteries and electric vehicles. Vodafone Business has a track record in providing IoT digital services to energy providers globally, including smart metering and smart grid products. The technology communication company’s expertise is set to become even more important in the years ahead, as power grids around the world increasingly digitalise and decentralise.
 
“As the number of decentralised, new-generation, low-carbon devices grows, so does the need for them to be securely connected regardless of their location,” said Erik Brenneis, Vodafone Business IoT director. “This connection needs to be simple and secure, ensuring assets are easily able to be connected to, and managed by, energy and communication networks around the globe. At Vodafone Business IoT, we believe technology and connectivity can be used to help protect the planet and improve people’s lives. We are proud to work together with Energy Web to make this a reality.”
 
Energy Web is a member-driven nonprofit accelerating a low-carbon, customer-centric electricity system by unleashing the potential of blockchain and decentralised technologies. It focuses on technology integration and development, co-creating standards and architectures, speeding adoption, and building community.
 
Last yeas, EW launched the Energy Web Chain, an enterprise-grade, open-source blockchain platform tailored to the sector’s regulatory, operational and market needs. EW also fostered the world’s largest energy blockchain ecosystem, comprising utilities, grid operators, renewable energy developers, corporate energy buyers and others.