Energy Web, a renewables-focused firm, has decided to move from its proprietary Ethereum-based blockchain to the Polkadot ecosystem in an effort to scale its decarbonization product line and appeal to traditional energy giants. The ongoing transition sees Energy Web applying to become a parachain on Polkadot, providing a more flexible “Web3 as a service” setup.
According to Energy Web’s CEO, Jessie Morris, this move aims to enhance cybersecurity through the increased decentralization provided by Polkadot’s shared security model. In addition, it is expected to accelerate the adoption of various methods to mitigate or eliminate polluting products by some of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers.
As renewable energy interest and usage continue to grow in the United States and beyond, ensuring that energy production and consumption is supported by aging power grids becomes crucial. Rising U.S. energy demand has been clashing with decaying, decades-old infrastructure, negatively affecting renewable efforts.
Energy Web’s solution partially involves a network of “worker nodes,” which Morris describes as a “mini blockchain” customized for different Energy Web clients’ applications. However, their present blockchain lacks the capability to effectively connect worker nodes and has consequently faced scalability issues tied to Ethereum.
To address this, Energy Web’s integration with Polkadot aims to deliver a “Web2-like experience” for companies, offering an interface that allows executives to explore various grid energy management and tracking solutions without the need for in-depth knowledge of Polkadot’s tech stack.
Among their areas of focus is the creation of a “network effect” to provide large electric utilities with digital tools to integrate electric vehicles, air conditioners, and electric batteries. Another priority is to track and measure renewable energy usage via Energy Web and Polkadot, as corresponding metrics for publicly traded firms have become increasingly scrutinized on earnings calls.
One of the sectors potentially benefiting from these efforts is Bitcoin mining, in which a combination of on-chain and off-chain processing technology is utilized to monitor the energy consumption of renewable products on local energy grids.
In conclusion, Energy Web’s shift to the Polkadot ecosystem will not only enhance cybersecurity and scalability but also contribute to the adoption of cleaner energy sources by major energy producers. Through this transition, Energy Web aims to move away from a “vanilla” EVM blockchain and prepare for the evolving needs of the energy sector.
Source: Blockworks
