Vodafone and Energy Web announced a partnership to connect billions of power assets to the grid using blockchain and IoT technology. The telecom giant will deploy SIM-centric technology alongside IoT
Vodafone and Energy Web announced a partnership to connect billions of power assets to the grid using blockchain and IoT technology. The telecom giant will deploy SIM-centric technology alongside IoT connectivity to establish what Energy Web called "secure IDs for energy assets," according to a May 26 post on Medium.
The system targets renewable and distributed power generation: solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, and heat pumps. These devices could integrate into energy networks with greater safety and operational efficiency. Rather than relying on traditional identification approaches, grid operators would recognize connected assets using the technology that allows telecom networks to authenticate mobile phones through their SIM cards.
Vodafone and Energy Web aim to simplify how grid providers identify and manage decentralized power sources connected to their networks at any given time. The same identification principle that works for mobile devices would work for energy assets.
The companies plan to build the smart grid infrastructure on Vodafone's IoT platform and integrate it with Energy Web's Decentralized Operating System. This would allow grid operators to manage and authenticate energy assets regardless of where they connect to the network.
Erik Brennei, head of Vodafone Business's IoT division, pointed to the explosion in distributed renewable generation. "The number of decentralized, new-generation, low-carbon devices" has grown, he said. These sources need strong connectivity guarantees "regardless of their location." When connections are simple and secure, energy and communications companies can manage equipment on the grid with greater ease.
Walter Kok, Energy Web's CEO, portrayed the partnership as combining complementary strengths. "EW's expertise in energy and decentralization" paired with Vodafone's IoT infrastructure could drive significant expansion across the energy sector, according to Kok.
The announcement represents part of Vodafone's expanding interest in blockchain applications. In 2019, the company identified 20 potential scenarios where blockchain could strengthen its operations. Vodafone announced a blockchain-based supply chain initiative in March and has explored DLT for identity management and security purposes.
The partnership announcement lifted Energy Web's token. The EWT token gained 11% against the dollar over the previous 24 hours to reach $3.12, marking an all-time high. CoinMarketCap ranked the token at 2127.
