IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v66y2020ics0301420719307391.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The development of energy blockchain and its implications for China's energy sector

Author

Listed:
  • Zhu, Shuai
  • Song, Malin
  • Lim, Ming Kim
  • Wang, Jianlin
  • Zhao, Jiajia

Abstract

With technology progressing and the decreasing cost of renewable energy, consumers require energy supply to be smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable than before. By providing a decentralized trading mechanism, blockchain technology can facilitate sustainable energy consumption and achieve a circular economy. This study analyzes how China can employ blockchain technology to reform its energy sector. We survey the progress of blockchain technology in the energy sector and explore typical cases of energy blockchains in the world. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of applying blockchain to China's energy sector. China's monopoly market structure in energy supply impedes the application of blockchain technology, but the expansion of clean energy provides a huge opportunity for it. Although China's technological level is lagging, the biggest obstacle is not technology but rather policy. We conclude that China should loosen its regulatory environment, amend the relevant laws, and balance the conflict between management and innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Shuai & Song, Malin & Lim, Ming Kim & Wang, Jianlin & Zhao, Jiajia, 2020. "The development of energy blockchain and its implications for China's energy sector," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:66:y:2020:i:c:s0301420719307391
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101595
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420719307391
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101595?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rameshwar Dubey & Angappa Gunasekaran & Stephen J. Childe & Thanos Papadopoulos & Benjamin T. Hazen & David Roubaud, 2018. "Examining top management commitment to TQM diffusion using institutional and upper echelon theories," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(8), pages 2988-3006, April.
    2. Sikorski, Janusz J. & Haughton, Joy & Kraft, Markus, 2017. "Blockchain technology in the chemical industry: Machine-to-machine electricity market," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 234-246.
    3. Gunasekaran, Angappa & Papadopoulos, Thanos & Dubey, Rameshwar & Wamba, Samuel Fosso & Childe, Stephen J. & Hazen, Benjamin & Akter, Shahriar, 2017. "Big data and predictive analytics for supply chain and organizational performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 308-317.
    4. Volodymyr Babich & Gilles Hilary, 2019. "Distributed Ledgers and Operations: What Operations Management Researchers Should Know about Blockchain Technology," Post-Print hal-02005158, HAL.
    5. Zhou, Kaile & Yang, Shanlin & Shao, Zhen, 2016. "Energy Internet: The business perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 212-222.
    6. Wamba, Samuel Fosso & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Akter, Shahriar & Ren, Steven Ji-fan & Dubey, Rameshwar & Childe, Stephen J., 2017. "Big data analytics and firm performance: Effects of dynamic capabilities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 356-365.
    7. Jiani Wu & Nguyen Khoi Tran, 2018. "Application of Blockchain Technology in Sustainable Energy Systems: An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-22, August.
    8. Song, Malin & Wang, Jianlin, 2018. "Environmental efficiency evaluation of thermal power generation in China based on a slack-based endogenous directional distance function model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 325-336.
    9. Davidson, Sinclair & De Filippi, Primavera & Potts, Jason, 2018. "Blockchains and the economic institutions of capitalism," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(4), pages 639-658, August.
    10. Mengelkamp, Esther & Gärttner, Johannes & Rock, Kerstin & Kessler, Scott & Orsini, Lawrence & Weinhardt, Christof, 2018. "Designing microgrid energy markets," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 870-880.
    11. Kenneth Arrow, 1962. "Economic Welfare and the Allocation of Resources for Invention," NBER Chapters, in: The Rate and Direction of Inventive Activity: Economic and Social Factors, pages 609-626, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    12. Lee Won Park & Sanghoon Lee & Hangbae Chang, 2018. "A Sustainable Home Energy Prosumer-Chain Methodology with Energy Tags over the Blockchain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    13. Yue-Jun Zhang & Jun-Fang Hao, 2017. "Carbon emission quota allocation among China’s industrial sectors based on the equity and efficiency principles," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 255(1), pages 117-140, August.
    14. Sierzchula, William & Bakker, Sjoerd & Maat, Kees & van Wee, Bert, 2014. "The influence of financial incentives and other socio-economic factors on electric vehicle adoption," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 183-194.
    15. Noor, Sana & Yang, Wentao & Guo, Miao & van Dam, Koen H. & Wang, Xiaonan, 2018. "Energy Demand Side Management within micro-grid networks enhanced by blockchain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 1385-1398.
    16. Tomas Baležentis & Dalia Štreimikienė, 2019. "Sustainability in the Electricity Sector through Advanced Technologies: Energy Mix Transition and Smart Grid Technology in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, March.
    17. Zhang, Yue-Jun & Peng, Yu-Lu & Ma, Chao-Qun & Shen, Bo, 2017. "Can environmental innovation facilitate carbon emissions reduction? Evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 18-28.
    18. Evangelista, Rinaldo & Perani, Giulio & Rapiti, Fabio & Archibugi, Daniele, 1997. "Nature and impact of innovation in manufacturing industry: some evidence from the Italian innovation survey," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(4-5), pages 521-536, December.
    19. Kamien,Morton I. & Schwartz,Nancy L., 1982. "Market Structure and Innovation," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521293853, December.
    20. Andoni, Merlinda & Robu, Valentin & Flynn, David & Abram, Simone & Geach, Dale & Jenkins, David & McCallum, Peter & Peacock, Andrew, 2019. "Blockchain technology in the energy sector: A systematic review of challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 143-174.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Hongbin Hu & Yongbin Wang, 2022. "Research on Convergence Media Consensus Mechanism Based on Blockchain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-27, September.
    2. Thomas Puschmann & Christian Hugo Hoffmann & Valentyn Khmarskyi, 2020. "How Green FinTech Can Alleviate the Impact of Climate Change—The Case of Switzerland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-30, December.
    3. Luthra, Sunil & Mangla, Sachin Kumar & Sarkis, Joseph & Tseng, Ming-Lang, 2022. "Resources melioration and the circular economy: Sustainability potentials for mineral, mining and extraction sector in emerging economies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    4. Teck Ming Tan & Jari Salo, 2023. "Ethical Marketing in the Blockchain-Based Sharing Economy: Theoretical Integration and Guiding Insights," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(4), pages 1113-1140, April.
    5. Ysé Commandré & Catherine Macombe & Sophie Mignon, 2021. "Implications for Agricultural Producers of Using Blockchain for Food Transparency, Study of 4 Food Chains by Cumulative Approach," Post-Print hal-03351947, HAL.
    6. Yasanur Kayikci & Nazlican Gozacan‐Chase & Abderahman Rejeb & Kaliyan Mathiyazhagan, 2022. "Critical success factors for implementing blockchain‐based circular supply chain," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3595-3615, November.
    7. Ahmet Faruk Aysan & Fouad Bergigui & Mustafa Disli, 2021. "Using Blockchain-Enabled Solutions as SDG Accelerators in the International Development Space," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-24, April.
    8. Lin, Boqiang & Li, Zhensheng, 2021. "Does natural gas pricing reform establish an effective mechanism in China: A policy evaluation perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    9. Kumar, Sourabh & Barua, Mukesh Kumar, 2023. "Exploring the hyperledger blockchain technology disruption and barriers of blockchain adoption in petroleum supply chain," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    10. Nan Jiang & Qi Han & Guohua Zhu, 2023. "A Three-Dimensional Analytical Framework: Textual Analysis and Comparison of Chinese and US Energy Blockchain Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-28, March.
    11. Wang, Jianda & Wang, Bo & Dong, Kangyin & Dong, Xiucheng, 2022. "How does the digital economy improve high-quality energy development? The case of China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    12. Yahia Baashar & Gamal Alkawsi & Ammar Ahmed Alkahtani & Wahidah Hashim & Rina Azlin Razali & Sieh Kiong Tiong, 2021. "Toward Blockchain Technology in the Energy Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    13. Ysé Commandré & Catherine Macombe & Sophie Mignon, 2021. "Implications for Agricultural Producers of Using Blockchain for Food Transparency, Study of 4 Food Chains by Cumulative Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-22, September.
    14. Weijiang Liu & Mingze Du, 2021. "Is Technological Progress Selective for Multiple Pollutant Emissions?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-17, September.
    15. Nazir Ullah & Waleed S. Alnumay & Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi & Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani & Hosam Al-Samarraie, 2020. "Modeling Cost Saving and Innovativeness for Blockchain Technology Adoption by Energy Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
    16. Zhe Wang & Ziling Yu & Lili Ma & Aolei Li, 2022. "The Digital Economy and the Energy “Internal Circulation”: Evidence from China’s Interprovincial Energy Trade," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, November.
    17. Yildizbasi, Abdullah, 2021. "Blockchain and renewable energy: Integration challenges in circular economy era," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 183-197.
    18. Ding, Wangwang & Du, Juntao & Kazancoglu, Yigit & Mangla, Sachin Kumar & Song, Malin, 2023. "Financial development and the energy net-zero transformation potential," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    19. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & John G. Keogh & Suhaiza Zailani, 2022. "Barriers to Blockchain Adoption in the Circular Economy: A Fuzzy Delphi and Best-Worst Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    20. Daiva Stanelyte & Neringa Radziukyniene & Virginijus Radziukynas, 2022. "Overview of Demand-Response Services: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-31, February.
    21. Justyna Światowiec-Szczepańska & Beata Stępień, 2022. "Drivers of Digitalization in the Energy Sector—The Managerial Perspective from the Catching Up Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-25, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nazir Ullah & Waleed S. Alnumay & Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi & Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani & Hosam Al-Samarraie, 2020. "Modeling Cost Saving and Innovativeness for Blockchain Technology Adoption by Energy Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
    2. Tseng, Fang-Mei & Palma Gil, Eunice Ina N. & Lu, Louis Y.Y., 2021. "Developmental trajectories of blockchain research and its major subfields," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    3. Capper, Timothy & Gorbatcheva, Anna & Mustafa, Mustafa A. & Bahloul, Mohamed & Schwidtal, Jan Marc & Chitchyan, Ruzanna & Andoni, Merlinda & Robu, Valentin & Montakhabi, Mehdi & Scott, Ian J. & Franci, 2022. "Peer-to-peer, community self-consumption, and transactive energy: A systematic literature review of local energy market models," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    4. Wang, Longze & Liu, Jinxin & Yuan, Rongfang & Wu, Jing & Zhang, Delong & Zhang, Yan & Li, Meicheng, 2020. "Adaptive bidding strategy for real-time energy management in multi-energy market enhanced by blockchain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    5. Schwidtal, J.M. & Piccini, P. & Troncia, M. & Chitchyan, R. & Montakhabi, M. & Francis, C. & Gorbatcheva, A. & Capper, T. & Mustafa, M.A. & Andoni, M. & Robu, V. & Bahloul, M. & Scott, I.J. & Mbavarir, 2023. "Emerging business models in local energy markets: A systematic review of peer-to-peer, community self-consumption, and transactive energy models," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    6. Wang, Longze & Jiao, Shucen & Xie, Yu & Xia, Shiwei & Zhang, Delong & Zhang, Yan & Li, Meicheng, 2022. "Two-way dynamic pricing mechanism of hydrogen filling stations in electric-hydrogen coupling system enhanced by blockchain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
    7. Yahia Baashar & Gamal Alkawsi & Ammar Ahmed Alkahtani & Wahidah Hashim & Rina Azlin Razali & Sieh Kiong Tiong, 2021. "Toward Blockchain Technology in the Energy Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    8. Yildizbasi, Abdullah, 2021. "Blockchain and renewable energy: Integration challenges in circular economy era," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 183-197.
    9. Kumar, Sourabh & Barua, Mukesh Kumar, 2023. "Exploring the hyperledger blockchain technology disruption and barriers of blockchain adoption in petroleum supply chain," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    10. Ante, L. & Steinmetz, F. & Fiedler, I., 2021. "Blockchain and energy: A bibliometric analysis and review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    11. Becker Wolfgang & Peters Jürgen, 2005. "Innovation Effects of Science-Related Technological Opportunities / Innovationseffekte von technologischen Möglichkeiten aus dem Wissenschaftsbereich: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Findings," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 225(2), pages 130-150, April.
    12. Ahl, A. & Yarime, M. & Goto, M. & Chopra, Shauhrat S. & Kumar, Nallapaneni Manoj. & Tanaka, K. & Sagawa, D., 2020. "Exploring blockchain for the energy transition: Opportunities and challenges based on a case study in Japan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    13. Akhil Joseph & Patil Balachandra, 2020. "Energy Internet, the Future Electricity System: Overview, Concept, Model Structure, and Mechanism," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-26, August.
    14. Kouhizadeh, Mahtab & Saberi, Sara & Sarkis, Joseph, 2021. "Blockchain technology and the sustainable supply chain: Theoretically exploring adoption barriers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    15. Wenting Zhao & Jun Lv & Xilong Yao & Juanjuan Zhao & Zhixin Jin & Yan Qiang & Zheng Che & Chunwu Wei, 2019. "Consortium Blockchain-Based Microgrid Market Transaction Research," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-22, October.
    16. Yeray Mezquita & Ana Belén Gil-González & Angel Martín del Rey & Javier Prieto & Juan Manuel Corchado, 2022. "Towards a Blockchain-Based Peer-to-Peer Energy Marketplace," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-20, April.
    17. Bruno Cassiman & Reinhilde Veugelers, 1998. "Complementarity between technology make and buy in innovation strategies: Evidence from Belgiam manufacturing firms," Economics Working Papers 279, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    18. Javier Parra-Domínguez & Esteban Sánchez & Ángel Ordóñez, 2023. "The Prosumer: A Systematic Review of the New Paradigm in Energy and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-44, July.
    19. Oprea, Simona-Vasilica & Bâra, Adela, 2021. "Devising a trading mechanism with a joint price adjustment for local electricity markets using blockchain. Insights for policy makers," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    20. Teng, Sin Yong & Touš, Michal & Leong, Wei Dong & How, Bing Shen & Lam, Hon Loong & Máša, Vítězslav, 2021. "Recent advances on industrial data-driven energy savings: Digital twins and infrastructures," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:66:y:2020:i:c:s0301420719307391. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/30467 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.