Solving Duck Curve Problem Due to Solar Integration Using Blockchain Technology

Abstract

The high penetration of renewables, particularly rooftop based solar plants, into electrical grid has resulted in dip in net demand of power during day hours while a sudden surge in net demand in the evening when sun sets. The duck shaped load curve thus generated poses the challenge to the power utilities to match the demand and supply. Various demand response (DR) method like dynamic tariff etc. can solve the issue but only by curtailing the growth of renewables. Electric Vehicle (EV) charging can come as a rescue to this problem supported by blockchain technology. The model proposed is prosumers with roof tops based solar plants along with EV charging station shall be registered in a blockchain based program, a decentralized system, designed for measurement, registration, transaction and settlement of clean energy. The charging station having pre-arranged its vehicles to get charged shall get into a dynamic auction in a mobile based app, to get the cheapest power from the neighbourhood rooftop solar plants. The prosumers and the EV charging stations shall be equipped with net meters and a blockchain based program running in background. The energy thus traded shall be accounted effectively and securely in the blockchain program. The prosumer having sold its clean power can earn solar currencies or any wallet money that can be redeemed or even traded. The prosumers and the charging stations shall be backed up with the conventional grid in tandem. In the above proposed model a parallel power vertical shall be maintained that shall galvanise not only the surge in demand of power due to Electric Vehicles but dip in requirement due to integration of rooftop solar plants into the grid. Rooftop solar and Electric Vehicles will grow together complimenting each other, encouraging clean form of energy.