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Chapter 7: Evaluation of Implementation and Results
In this section, we evaluate the implementation of our platform, focusing on how the use of Optimistic
Ethereum Blockchain Network optimizes VPPAs and addresses some of the fundamental issues
observed in traditional PPA models. The adoption of blockchain technology, specifically Optimistic
Ethereum, ensures that key processes such as contract creation, validation, and energy transaction
settlements are secure, scalable, and cost-efficient. At the same time, our solution provides a
decentralized marketplace where energy buyers and producers (sellers) can trade energy contracts
transparently, solving some of the limitations that plague traditional PPA frameworks.
7.1 Optimization of PPAs with Blockchain Integration
Traditional PPAs, as highlighted in Figure 1, face several significant challenges: high legal and
financial transaction costs, lack of liquidity, single counterparty risk, and an exclusion of small buyers
due to the large volumes typically required. Our blockchain-based platform directly addresses these
inefficiencies by automating energy contract creation through smart contracts, enabling fractional
contracting, and introducing market liquidity through a decentralized platform. By using the
Optimistic Ethereum network, we can reduce transaction costs and increase transaction throughput
without sacrificing security, which is crucial for energy trading.
The implementation of VPPAs through our smart contracts offers a number of benefits. Energy buyers
and sellers can now establish agreements with predefined terms or, alternatively, participate in
auctions to determine the most competitive pricing. Moreover, our platform supports fractional
contracting, allowing smaller buyers to aggregate their demands into a larger purchasing block. This
enables more inclusive participation in renewable energy markets, where traditionally, only large
corporations could engage.
Table 1 below illustrates a cost comparison between a traditional PPA and a VPPA conducted through
our platform on the Optimistic Ethereum blockchain. As seen, the elimination of intermediary costs
and reduced transaction times contribute to substantial financial savings.
Table 5: Key differences of Traditional PPAs and Optimized PPAs using Blockchain and VPPAs.
Metric
Traditional PPA
Optimized VPPA
Legal & Financial Costs
~$1M per client maybe more
costs can be reduced by
around 80%
Contract Duration (months)
12-18
few months, depends on the
auction
Buyer Access
Only large buyers
Small & large buyers
Liquidity
Low (Single buyer)
High (Multiple buyers/sellers)
Traditional PPA: