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1. Scalability of Blockchain Architectures: Traditional blockchain platforms, like Ethereum,
are constrained by limited transaction throughput, leading to network congestion and inflated
fees. This thesis will examine how Layer-2 solutions, particularly Optimistic Ethereum, can
significantly improve scalability while adhering to decentralization and security principles.
This investigation will include an analysis of the technical structure of Optimistic Ethereum,
its consensus protocols, and how it effectively manages the trade-offs between scalability,
cost, and decentralization.
2. Modeling a Decentralized VPPA and Mini-Energy Trading System: Our work will model
a decentralized system for publishing VPPAs and conducting mini-energy trades within a
marketplace ecosystem, built on the Optimistic Ethereum blockchain. The system must
efficiently track and manage energy transactions between buyers and sellers, maintaining
transparency and security by leveraging blockchain’s immutable ledger. The system will also
need to ensure accuracy in energy accounting for each buyer and seller based on pre-agreed
models.
3. Enhancing Smart Contract Security and Streamlining Auditing: A key focus of the thesis
will be identifying ways to improve smart contract security, a critical aspect of decentralized
systems. We will investigate methods to streamline the auditing process to ensure contracts
are secure without sacrificing development speed. This section will explore contemporary
auditing techniques and tools while evaluating potential vulnerabilities that could compromise
energy trading systems.
4. Integration of Green Energy Certificates in Blockchain-Based PPA Platforms: With
increasing attention to sustainability, green energy certificates are essential for verifying the
provenance of renewable energy. This thesis will explore how blockchain can be employed
to integrate green certifications, such as Guarantees of Origin (GOs) in Europe, into the VPPA
process. The use of blockchain for this purpose enhances transparency and trust in the energy
market, ensuring that environmentally conscious buyers can confidently purchase renewable
energy with verified credentials.
This study aims to show that through decentralized systems powered by blockchain technology,
traditional energy trading intermediaries can be eliminated, resulting in more efficient and direct
transactions between producers and consumers. Furthermore, by utilizing Optimistic Ethereum, we
can demonstrate how scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions can be implemented, providing a
model for future applications in the energy sector.
1.3 Outline
This thesis is structured to investigate the use of blockchain technology, specifically Optimistic
Ethereum, for optimizing VPPAs and creating an efficient energy trading system. In Chapter 1, we
introduce the scope and key research topics, focusing on the potential of Layer-2 solutions to address
scalability, transparency, and security issues in decentralized energy markets. Chapter 2 covers the
theoretical foundations of PPAs and VPPAs, including an overview of energy markets and the role
of blockchain in streamlining these contracts. This chapter also highlights existing models and
frameworks for energy trading.
In Chapter 3, we delve into Optimistic Ethereum as a Layer-2 solution, explaining its structure,
scalability benefits, Optimistic Virtual Machine (OVM) and how it improves upon traditional
blockchain models. Chapter 4 describes the conceptual approach and the technical implementation
of a DApp to facilitate VPPA creation and energy trading. Chapter 5discusses the smart contracts
used, with a particular focus on the use of ERC-1155 and ERC-1888 standards to manage energy
certificates and automate trading. Finally, Chapter 6 evaluates the system's performance and
scalability through testing, and Chapter 7 concludes by summarizing the results and offering insights
for future development and improvements in the blockchain-enabled energy market.